This weekend the AAD Shrine Circus was at Duluth Entertainment Convention Center and was celebrating 100 years.  I decided to take the family, and then found out there were not going to be any exotic animals.

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Being in media, I should have known they had dropped the animals from the performance, but somehow missed that.  It's not however something that is a deal-breaker for us.  There has been drama for years over circus events using live animals for entertainment, but this isn't a debate over that.  Also, the ad mentioned that Chewbacca would be there, and that's a win all around.

Since they weren't having animals at the show, the circus did advertise that there would still be plenty to see and enjoy.  Upping the event with more motorcycle stunts, more trapeze artists, and high-wire acts.

AAD Shrine Circus- Photo Credit: Joe Danger
AAD Shrine Circus- Photo Credit: Joe Danger
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They certainly didn't disappoint.  There was tons to see during the show, and while not live animals, an individual in a giant polar bear costume was probably the highlight.  Dancing around, chasing the bear tamer, it was something kids and adults alike were laughing at and enjoying.

AAD Shrine Circus Performance- Photo Credit: Joe Danger
AAD Shrine Circus Performance- Photo Credit: Joe Danger
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The motorcycle stunting crew did a great job, with bikes making jumps, riding on wires, and adding high-wire performers to their stunts.  There were people doing rope acrobatics, a jumping stunt crew from Chicago, and of course clowns clowning around.

As for Chewbacca, he made a brief appearance to the crowd and there were meet and greet options for seeing him.  All in all, it was a good time and with intermission was about a two hour experience for the family.  An experience that proved the circus doesn't need live animals to be entertaining.

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