A Wild Adventure
The Moon, Jacy Jones, the daughter of owners David Jones and Blaze Birge, performs acrobatic at the event tent's maximum height. (Image: Garrett Steensland)
Image: Garrett Steensland
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Testing the limits of what the human body is capable of seems to be a regular part of each display by the Flynn Creek Circus. Men and women of extraordinary talent swung effortlessly through the air, climbed to heights that ordinary people would cower at, and contorted themselves in ways that would typically be thought impossible.
“The show’s origins began in Mendocino, California, with parties out in the woods on Flynn Creek,” stated David Jones, co-owner, as he described the history of the circus and its name. Twenty years later, the show has expanded to doing seven shows a week for five months of the year.
The theme of their 2023 season was “Desert Myth”. The performance followed a storyline of a wanderer’s quest for water in the desert. The plot was infused with gut-wrenching laughter, personal crowd interaction, and various props, creating a display that engaged the audience and made them feel like a part of the show.
Comedian, actor, and circus performer Ross Travis, who played the tourist, banter with the audience. (Image: Garrett Steensland)
The laughs from a comedic portion would quickly transform to gasps of disbelief as one of the lizard characters unexpectedly flipped through the air, a bird character performed acrobatic impossibilities, or humanoid cacti threw daggers at the unsuspecting tourist. The vast array of artists made for a 2-hour show that offered a visually captivating display that never ceased to mesmerize all watching.
Performers offer various unique abilities with an ever-changing flow of talent. The show is a family ordeal for the owners, husband and wife duo David Jones and Blaze Birge. “It’s a lot of work. You might as well get your kids in it too,” Jones mentioned as he brought up his daughter’s involvement as one of the artists seen performing.
The unmistakable heartbeat of the show was people following their dreams and achieving the unattainable. When asked about the deep-rooted essence of the show, Jones stated that the words that would best describe the spirit of Flynn Creek Circus would be “Stay inspired!”
After Klamath Falls, the circus will next perform in Corvallis. They typically go as far north as Portland and as far south as Santa Cruz.
The show was not only an awe-inspiring odyssey. It was a quest that left viewers feeling inspired to test their own limits and wonder what they’re each capable of.
