Texarkana Gazette
3-24-2006
By Anthony Davis

Acrobats, horseback riders and elephants, oh my.

Circus Gatti, a purveyor of circus entertainment for more than 40 years, will roll into Texarkana early next week for two performances, at 4:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Four States Fairgrounds.

The California-based circus has been a regular visitor to Texarkana over the years, and as traveling circuses go, Circus Gatti has experienced a degree of sucess with Texarkana children and adults of all ages.

Amoung the featured performers with this year's edition are the Shanghai Acrobats.

Lethbridge Herald Monday, August 8, 2005 By Steephen Tipper

Circus comes to town

Circuses that feature animals sometimes draw criticism in addition to spectators, but young kids just wanted to see Sunday the animals with the long trunk and ivory tusks.

Circus Gatti, from California was in Lethbridge Sunday, holding two shows at the Enmax Centre.

Kids interviewed Sunday were unanimous in their desire to see elephants.

"I want to see them do something," said Cody Sekura, 6, before the afternoon show began.

The afternoon circus show - there was also an evening performance - drew about 1,400 spectators.  Each show was about two hours long.

"It's fun, it's exciting," said ringmaster Brian LaPalme about the circus.  "There's something for children of all ages."

Besides the show itself, there was plenty to keep young children entertained.

Pony rides were available beforehand, and parents could buy glow sticks, inflated figures such as Spider-Man, and numerous animals, and goodies such as cotton candy and candy apples.

Circus Gatti, which performs for 10 months each year, does see protests from time to time when touring.

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so what are you going to do?"  asked LaPalme.

But thankfully not everyone wants humans to refrain from owning a pet or eating meat, he said.

"Most people believe we should be able to have pets or have a hamburger."

The animals are well looked after, he said.

"If you're investing in an elephant that costs $150,000 you're going to take care of it," said LaPalme.

People living in small towns might not otherwise have a chance to see an elephant with their own eyes, he said.

It's not just animals like the elephants that draw people to the circus, which also features acts such as the acrobats and high wire act.  Performers hail from all over the world.

This particular circus has been coming to the city for about 30 years, said Jill Henderson, events manager with the Enmax Centre.

They have a good reputation with taking care of the animals, and we're comfortable with that," she said.

The circus brings in families to the Enmax Centre, with many young children in attendance.  The circus gave away children's passes, which helps bring in families, said Henderson.

"We find it's a family entertainment show."

Circus Gatti visits a local childrens hospital.