No lions, tigers or bears? Oh, my! Animal-free Venardos Circus is coming to Columbus

Like the name of its current tour, the Venardos Circus promises “A Grand Ol’ Time” when it comes to town for 14 shows in September.

Reimagining traditional big top entertainment for a new generation, the Broadway-style circus is animal-free. Instead, it showcases aerialists, jugglers, comedians and acrobats in its “Decade of Dreams” show, which will be held at Tanger Outlets Columbus, 400 S. Wilson Road, Sunbury.

Tickets are on sale to see the Venardos Circus, which will park its tent at Tanger Outlets Columbus in Sunbury from Sept. 19-29.
Tickets are on sale to see the Venardos Circus, which will park its tent at Tanger Outlets Columbus in Sunbury from Sept. 19-29.

Performance dates and times will be 7 p.m. Sept. 19-20 and Sept. 25-27; 2 and 5 p.m. Sept. 21-22 and Sept. 29; and 11 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m. Sept. 28. Doors will open an hour before each show, which runs approximately 90 minutes, with a brief intermission.

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Three types of seating are offered:

  • General-admission seating: Choose your own seats (first-come, first-served) from ground-level seating to the left and right of the stage. Tickets are $16.95 for children 3-12 and $27.95 for 13 and older.

  • Premier Gallery seating: With elevated seating located at stage front (first-come, first-served), you’ll have the best overall view of the show. Tickets are $27.95 for children 3-12 and $39.95 for 13 and older.

  • Ringmaster VIP seating: Guests will be escorted to reserved stage-side seats, where they can enjoy table service from concessions. All tickets are $59.95.

Children 2 and younger are free to sit on a paying adult's lap — one child per adult. Online ticket sales close 30 minutes before doors open. Prices are $5 more at the door. Snacks and drinks also can be ordered online. To purchase tickets and concessions items, go to venardoscircus.com/columbus-oh.

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Created by former Ringling Bros. Ringmaster Kevin Venardos, the circus has been touring the country since its 2014 debut at the LA County Fair.

For more information, including frequently asked questions and a seating chart, visit venardoscircus.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Venardos Circus to perform at Tanger Outlets Columbus on Sept. 19-29