Photo by Gary Miller

Cedar Park Center hosts the Ben Hur Shrine Circus for nine performances from Jan. 17–20.

The Ben Hur Shrine Circus will start entertaining on Jan. 17 before its first of nine performances during the weekend.

Guests who arrive at noon Friday will be able to watch elephants have an apple and banana brunch outside the Cedar Park Center, said Ginny Van Doren, marketing coordinator for the Cedar Park Center.

"People are allowed to visit [and] take pictures of the elephants eating their brunch," she said.

Parking is free in the side lots, she said. Guests can then walk to the arena's east side, which faces Toll 183A, and stand within blocked-off sections near the valet parking section. After the elephants leave, clowns and other performers will meet with fans to take photos, Van Doren said.

The evening the circus starts at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 with eight more shows scheduled through Jan. 20.

Already the circus is setting up colorful stands around Cedar Park Center. Guests can find cotton candy and other circus merchandise outside and a full three-ring arrangement inside, she said.

"It would look like a regular circus under a tent, only this has air-conditioning with nice comfy chairs," Van Doren said.

Cedar Park Center's ticket office will open two hours before the first performance, she said.

Attendees who arrive at 6:30 p.m. can interact with circus performers on the arena floor and even ride some of the animals such as camels and elephants, Van Doren said.

"If you are early, you'll still be entertained prior to the actual start of the show," she said.

Tickets are listed at $23.82–$42.10 and can also be found on the arena's website. Parking costs an additional $10. After Friday, circus performances are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Monday, Jan. 20 at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.