GREENVILLE Group hopes circus will aid town's financial woes

The association will use circus proceeds to help the borough dig itself out of a $1.62-million hole.
By LAURI GALENTINE
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- Two shows under the big top are intended to benefit the borough in more ways than one.
The Kelly-Miller Circus will perform at 4:30 and 7 p.m. Monday at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds in Transfer, five miles south of Greenville on Edgewood Drive Extension, just off state Route 18.
The public is invited to stop by earlier in the day and watch the elephants help set up the circus tent.
Besides providing entertainment, the circus, sponsored by the Greenville Area Preservation Association, also is a part the group's efforts to help the ailing town.
The association, founded earlier this year by a few concerned borough citizens, now has more than 40 members who have made it their business to raise money, not only for needed projects in Riverside Park, but to put some funds toward the town's $1.62-million debt.
Lorrie Smith, one of the group's founders, has said that the members are people who live in and around the town and decide to take action to help out rather than simply complain about the situation.
Reward fund
In addition to the circus festivities aimed at raising money, the GAPA also decided to donate $200 to the Greenville Area Crime Watch to start a reward fund for the "arrest and conviction of vandals who have damaged public and private property in the borough of Greenville," Smith said.
They have scheduled recognition events to honor those who have been serving the town through their actions for many years.
Many area businesses have helped the association by serving as ticket outlets for the circus, say members of the GAPA's circus committee.
Elizabeth Seiver, Beth Myers and Ron and Debbie Groce, make up the committee that has worked to make the circus a success.
They said many advance tickets have been sold, and many merchants bought children's tickets to donate to the Mercer County Children's Aide Society and the local Good Shepherd Center in order to allow underprivileged children the opportunity to see the circus.
There also will be tickets available at the gate, the members said. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children.