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Summer is a grand time when fairs and fishing occupy lazy vacation days, and, if we're lucky, a bit of nostalgia works its way into our repertoire. Something like, say, an old-timey circus? Where ringleaders sport handlebar mustaches, striped pants and suspenders, and tip their top hats to acrobats soaring high. Where cotton candy is a perfectly viable dinner. Where the kid in all of us comes out to play. Yep, that's the ticket. Step right up and get yours when Mendocino's thrilling Flynn Creek Circus comes to Newburg Park Aug. 11-14 ($30 adult, $22 senior, $15 child).

Billed as a human-only circus (which means you can bet your Barnum there are no animal acts), top performers from all over the world gather under a traditional big top tent to juggle, throw knives and perform daring acrobatics and aerial stunts to delight and amaze the entire family. See the sparkle and spectacle before they pack it all up and roll out of town.

Performance are Thursday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 13 at 4 and 7 p.m. and Aug. 14 at 1 and 4 p.m. Advance discount tickets are available online at www.flynncreekcircus.com. Door ticket sales begin one hour prior to each show. And for those of you who like your jaw to totally hit the ground, VIP front row seating is available for $50.