Years ago, when the circus came to town, children would watch awe-struck as the elephants were unloaded and helped to put up the big tent covering the three rings.
Life doesn't come to a halt as it used to, but the circus still brings a certain romance and excitement when it pulls into a town the size of Westminster.
This weekend, the Kelly-Miller circus from Hugo, Okla., will take Carroll County back to the days of the traveling three-ring circus with four performances Saturday and Sunday at the Ag Center on Smith Avenue in Westminster.
Sponsored as a fund-raiser by Carroll County Lodge No. 20, Fraternal Order of Police, the circus will offer all the usual thrills in a one-hour, 45-minute show under the big top.
"The circus is geared strictly for families, so bring a camera," said Bill Brooks, FOP's promoter for the event. "There will be elephant rides and pony rides, six palomino horses doing a liberty act where they salute, a dog act, beautiful girls on swings and ropes, and clowns."
Kelly-Miller is featuring several new acts in its 1994 show, which went on the road April 2 and will cover 12,000 miles across 14 states by November when the circus season ends.
Some of the highlights include:
* The Murillo Family from Brazil, returning to the circus after a three-year hiatus and their first time with Kelly-Miller. The troupe does a high-wire act, as well as a riding act exhibiting acrobatic skills and human pyramids on galloping horses.
* The Jensac Brothers acrobatic team doing aerial gymnastics, walking a tight wire and performing a combination of balancing and fire manipulation.
* Cindi Herriott, also new with Kelly-Miller, who performs an aerial "Cloud Swing" and presents the liberty horse salute.
* Bobby Fairchild, ringmaster, knife thrower and old-time whip cracker.
* Myrna Silverlake, who leads her canines through a series of clever acts and antics.
Performances are highlighted by live music from the Kelly-Miller band.
And, of course, the elephants -- Viola, Nina and Brittanie -- under the direction of trainer Roy Wells, and circus clowns Zippo and Skippy.
For a fee, visitors can take an elephant ride or a pony ride.
In addition to the Big Top acts, side shows will provide educational animal exhibits. Live animals such as the baby African elephant, two-humped camels, llamas, alligators and snakes will be on display.
A children's magic show also will be presented as a side show to the big top performance.
Shows are at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Saturday and 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children 2-11, available only at the box office each day.
Information: (410) 799-8685.