Shrine Circus dazzles Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - Death-defying aerial stunts and dangerous animals were commonplace this weekend as the El-Katif Shrine Circus stopped in Moses Lake.

Joseph Bauer, brother-in-law of owner Tarzan Zerbini, was the ringmaster of the circus. Bauer is famous for his routine on the Wheel of Destiny. Bauer was unable to perform on the wheel because he was healing from an injury.

Bauer is the eighth generation from a Swiss circus family and has been around circuses his entire life.

"I've had a pretty good life in the circus traveling all over," Bauer said.

Bauer explained the craziest thing he has to do in the circus is perform the entire show in French when the circus travels to Canada.

In 2011, Bauer set the world record for performing on the Wheel of Destiny by setting it up on top of One Watergate Condo in Sarasota, Florida and doing his act nearly 250 feet in the air.

"For me, it was just second nature," Bauer said. "There was never a fear of heights or anything."

After 25 years of performing, the dangerous nature of his work has never bothered Bauer.

"I think if I had any fear in me my parents wouldn't let me do it," Bauer said.

The show began with the tiger act presented by Juit and Juergen Nerger.

According to Circus Chairman Gary Van Dyke, the tiger act is the biggest in North America.

Juit and Juergen commanded the attention of the crowd as they guided the tigers around the stage making them perform different tricks that climaxed with them leaping through a hoop on fire.

One of the highlights of the show was the single trapeze act performed by Gabriela Zerbini. Gabriela flew through the air and hung by her feet from one trapeze without the safety of a net below. Gabriela also returned later in the show and performed a juggling routine.

During intermission attendees were allowed to ride the elephants around the stage.

The show climaxed with Hans Winn performing on the Wheel of Destiny. Winn navigated the giant spinning wheel blindfolded as well as jump roping while the wheel rotated.

The circus was contracted by the El-Katif Shriners whose main project is the Shriners Hospitals for Children, explained Potentate Buck Buchanan.

The Shriners organize different fundraisers to help support the hospitals. The circus was used to help support the Shriners themselves.

There are 22 Shrine Hospitals nationwide that treat children with severe burns and spinal cord injuries.

Buchanan estimated that the Shrine Hospital in Spokane completes about 800 serious surgeries per year.