MISSOURI WATCH: CIRCUS KNOWN AS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS COMING

Are you still young enough to remember the excitement you experienced when it was announced a circus was coming to town? The word circus never failed to ignite a glorious exhilaration, unlike almost any other sensation, for it is possible for a six-year-old to picture elephants performing, lions and tigers roaring and clowns entertaining children and adults alike as droves of them pile from a small car.

If you grew up in small towns, as I did, the expectation of the circus was much greater than its actuality. Oh, the circuses that visited the towns where I lived had tents all right, and the cotton candy and caramel popcorn stands were in place, and there was even music, but it came from a loud record player, not John Phillip Sousa's brass band. As for the elephants, the operative word was one, not a dozen; as for the ferocious cats, they were older than the clowns and just about as lively. There seemed to be a contest between the lions, tigers and clowns as to which could appear to be more bored.

Despite the initial excitement and the subsequent disappointment, there was still something special about those flea-bitten circuses that made their appearance special. Although it was never what we dreamed it would be, the circus was still special, fleas and all. If we were disappointed, we tried to salvage the day by pretending that it was better than it was. And we waited patiently as it pulled out of town, confident that the next one would not only meet our expectations but exceed them.

Well, I must confess that as an adult, I am able to restrain my enthusiasm when the arrival of a circus is publicized, but I still get excited when another kind of circus arrives in town. Just the mere thought of it brings forth the same kind of eagerness that I once felt as a child. I may be hovering around four score and ten, but I still anticipate the arrival of a circus more enjoyable to me than Ringling Brothers or Clyde Beatty.

I'm talking about the circus known in our state as the General Assembly, with a cast that includes 197 performing stars and a supporting crew of hundreds, offering almost daily shows for the next 4 months, under a big top known as the State Capitol. One of the attractions of the Legislative Circus is that anyone can attend, without charge, and stay as long as they like. Refreshments are even available at conveniently placed sites. Children don't even have to be accompanied by adults for the fare is rated PG.

I'm happy to announce the circus is now performing, virtually every day of the week, in its permanent Capitol "tent" and this year's show appears to have as many star-studded headline acts as those in previous seasons.

Come one, come all. Don't miss the death-defying acts of political bravery as the donkeys and the elephants seek to gain the greater share of applause, performing in two giant rings known as the House and the Senate. The latter show is smaller, with a cast of only 34, and these stars proclaim their superior talents over the larger cast, numbering 163, in the House arena. Discerning circus-goers, however, believe the larger House is more enjoyable to watch, day in and day out, but attractions vary with the mood of the performers.

Although there are cast changes over a period of time, the acts remain fairly consistent. Devoted fans cheer for their favorite performers, according them thunderous applause while jeering their favorite's competing stars. As might be expected from such a large cast, the really interesting part of this circus is the role adopted by each of the players. Some have become proficient as tigers, who roar throughout their time in the spotlight, while others are more demure and become ostriches oblivious to what is occurring around them.

In addition to tigers and ostriches, there are the delightful monkeys who amuse the audience with their laughable expressions and acrobatics, alligators and crocodiles who constantly seek out weaker prey to devour, and of course, there are the obligatory snakes, who frighten everyone and who need only make an appearance to gain the attention they covet. The snakes seem to take great delight frightening everyone in the arena, even those who serve as the animal trainers who have been selected for their wisdom and courage in handling the other acts.

Over long years of experience, I recommend that you visit the Capitol circus on days when a large number of the stars decide to be clowns. These are the most entertaining acts of all, although a word of caution is in order: Don't feed the clowns or they'll never leave you alone!

~Jack Stapleton of Kennett is the editor of the Missouri News and Editorial Service.