Raising the roof

An elephant with the Carson and Barnes Circus helps prepare the big top tent for Thursday night's shows.

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Story Published: Aug 14, 2008 at 7:58 PM PST

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 11:40 PM PST

By Stephanie Smith

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LEWISTON - The Carson and Barnes Circus performed in Lewiston Thursday night. The troupe uses an elephant to raise the big top.

And spokesman Doug Munsell said the elephants enjoy helping.

"It's exercise for them," he said. "They just love to get out here and do a little work."

It takes 80 poles to hold up the football field-sized circus tent. The group only has three elephants travel with them, because gas prices have cramped their style.

"We used to carry 18 elephants, but that's 6 trucks and tractors," said Munsell. "Can't do it with the fuel prices anymore."

But if the pachyderms aren't your thing, they have goats, llamas, horses and a zebra. And Munsell said they take good care of their creatures.

"They get treated better than us two-legged animals," said Munsell. "Our animals are out here on display and people can see them everyday and you don't see any ribs sticking out. They are well fed, they are well groomed and if they need a veterinarian, we get a local vet to come and check them out. Some states have them check them out by state standards. So, our animals are taken care of because they are our livelihood."

There were two shows Thursday night and Munsell talked about what would be offered.

"A circus!" Munsell laughed. "We are the best, biggest top, traveling the United States and we have circus food, it's diet circus food. Eat it today and you have to go on a diet tomorrow."

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