One of Logan’s oldest businesses – a family-run circus more than 170 years old – is returning home.
Ashton Circus was founded by James Henry Ashton in 1850.
Six generations later, the circus remains in family hands, now run by Browns Plains local Chantel Ashton-Rodriguez.
During a tour of Australia’s east coast, ‘The Great Australia Circus’ is stopping by its home town for two weeks to dazzle local audiences from Thursday 13 June to Sunday 22 June.
For Ms Ashton-Rodriguez, who grew up performing under the big top, this stop on the tour is deeply personal.
Now owner and director of Ashton Entertainment, an offspring of the circus launched in 2010, she said she was thrilled to share the magic of the circus with her hometown.
“There’s nothing like performing for my community.
“We are often touring the country for 10 months of the year, and it is nice to return to my homebase, a local crowd, and all of the restaurants and shops I love.”
Ms Ashton-Rodriguez and the rest of the circus have promised an “unforgettable night of family fun”, including thrilling aerial silks, heart-stopping stunts, and world-class performances from across the globe – right in their backyard.
The Browns Plains local is herself a master of knife-throwing, the Russian bar, trapeze, and aerial acts, and will take centre stage alongside her family.
She started performing at just two years old in a bareback horse riding act, a tradition dating back to the circus’ founder.
“All the kids just end up in the show somehow… It was never pushed on us, but everyone did it,” Ms Ashton-Rodriguez said.
“It was so normal for us. My grandparents’ circus at the time was very big. We probably had about 80 people – we had mechanics, we had, school teachers and gymnastics teachers that toured.
“We have friends from all over Australia and all over the world now because of this industry.”
She said growing up in the circus was an “amazing lifestyle”.
Today there are eight generations of Ashtons performing in the circus. It all started with performances by Ms Ashton-Rodriguez’s great-great-grandparents in Tasmania back in 1848 – two years before the circus was formed and three before it was licensed.
Tickets to the show start at $15, and can be purchased via ashtonentertainment.com.au.
