Circus Tent OK'd In Farmington, Show To Go On At Mall

FARMINGTON/WEST HARTFORD, CT — The circus is coming to a prominent location in two towns this week, with one town's zoning board giving a key thumbs up to the event.

At its last meeting, the Farmington Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a special permit for Carlos de la Garza on behalf of the Flip Circus to install a large circus tent at the Westfarms Mall.

Located in both West Hartford and Farmington, the busy shopping mall is hosting the circus in the southeast parking lot, requiring Farmington PZC approval for the 500 South Road address.

"What we're proposing to do is to bring in a big top circus," de la Garza told commissioners late last month.

On July 31, the PZC approved the measure unanimously after a public hearing on the application and a presentation by circus and town officials.

During the presentation, overhead diagrams of the mall parking lot showed exactly where the circus would be located and what would be erected there.

As a result, the Texas-based Flip Circus, which features traditional circus acts (no animals) in an intimate setting will begin a run of shows Friday, Sept. 1, to Monday, Sept. 11.

Key to that event and approved by the zoning board is a 98-foot-diamater circus tent, an old-fashioned big top that harkens back to traditional circuses.

According to the applicant, the show is "an arts based show with artists from around the globe" such as acrobats, clowns and other acts.

In addition, it will feature traditional circus concessions and souvenirs, with no alcohol available.

The town's approval came with basic conditions, which were agreed to by de la Garza.

Those include the permit being for just this year; servicing of restrooms and staff vehicles being done regluarly; servicing of on-site dumpsters; water service coordinated by the mall or local water company; and the applicant adhering to both Farmington and West Hartford ordinances, such as noise ordinance requirements.

De la Garza said the set-up for the big top actually begins on Tuesday, Aug. 29, with the first show Friday, Sept. 1, the last show Monday, Sept. 11, and the area cleared out by Tuesday, Sept. 12.

He said the circus has already received the necssary permits from Farmington's building, fire and health departments.

Tickets for the event are currently on sale and they will also be available on the day of the shows.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and 1, 4 and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

For discounted tickets and additional information, visit www.FlipCircus.com.

For the minutes of the July 31 Farmington Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.

For more information on the Flip Circus, click on this link.