Famous circus returns to Casey, regales all in community

By Jim CunninghamJune 2, 2009

Famous circus returns to Casey, regales all in community
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Famous circus returns to Casey, regales all in community
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Famous circus returns to Casey, regales all in community
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers, civilians and family members, including local Korean civilians, enjoy carnival rides such as this one named the "Whirling Dervish" during the USAG-Casey Memorial Day Festival and Circus open house held on Camp Mobile Fairgrounds, May 24 and... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Famous circus returns to Casey, regales all in community
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Famous circus returns to Casey, regales all in community
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CAMP MOBILE, South Korea -- Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation brought back the famous Chinese circus "Dong Choon Art Circus," which featured a 90 minute show of 21 circus acts and a live caged motorcycle show, for the 2009 Memorial Day Festival, May 24 and 25.

Many carnival rides, food booths (which also featured eating contests) and a petting zoo for children kept most of the 2,000 to 3,000 people attending busy between circus shows.

"I am very happy with the crowd today," said Frank Desilva, FMWR marketing director, "the residents of Dongducheon and our military personnel are getting along great. We have our carnival games and rides, so I can see the interaction and everyone is having a good time."

Adults and children enjoyed bungee rides and burro cart rides as well as the traditional carnival rides and side attractions such as the Wheel of Fortune where revelers could win prizes such as stuffed animals and other items.

Other features were costume characters, robotic characters, rap and break dancing group "B-Boyz," a baby stroller contest with a baby costume contest, popular rock group "WES" performances, throughout the day, and a potpourri of food eating contests.

"We have 20 different carnival games beside the circus," Desilva said. "We have 37 vendors, Korean and Army and Air Force Exchange Service booths, eight food booths, and many carnival games doing great business."

"This is the first time in a long time when we have had an open house and invited the Korean community to come on post and enjoy our holiday with us," Desilva continued. "Everyone is gathering together and having a good time with the carnival games, both Korean and Americans, they are enjoying it together, proving we are truly good neighbors. We will be back next year, same place."