The Carson & Barnes Circus returns Fort Wayne

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Sheriff Ken Fries is bringing back a popular family event to raise funds for the Department's Regional Training Facility. The Carson & Barnes Circus is one of America’s last remaining tent circuses.

There will be two more performances Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The location is at the former Seyfert Potato Chip property on Lima Road next to Exit 111. The location was donated by Menard’s.

Carson & Barnes Circus performs under a huge big top tent nearly the size of a football field. The circus features the largest traveling zoo in the world with animals including elephants, camels, giraffes, hippos, horses, llamas, show dogs and more.

In 2009 the Sheriff's Department hosted the Carson & Barnes circus for a one day show, selling out two performances and raising approximately $10,000 for the Regional Training Center. A portion of this year's proceeds from ticket sales will again benefit the facility, currently under construction on land located on Adams Center Road.

Carson & Barnes Circus was founded in 1937 by Mr. D. R. Miller, who ran the operation until his death in 1999. Today the company is run by Miller's daughter Barbara Byrd and her husband Geary, with assistance from their two daughters Kristin and Traci.