Community Corner

Group Protesting Kelly Miller Circus Coming to Kendall County Fairgrounds

The Facebook group "Kendall County Protests The Kelly Miller Circus" says the circus has a history of animal abuse and neglect and will be leading a peaceful protest on Sept. 4.

The circus is coming to town, but many area residents aren’t racing to enjoy the show.

The Kelly Miller Circus will be at the Kendall County Fairgrounds on Sept. 4 to hold two shows. The circus was started in 1938 and describes their company as a, “galaxy of stars from many nations, as well as an exotic display of animals, enhanced them with beautiful theatrical lighting and lively circus music for a performance to warm the hearts of young and old alike.”

But there are many in Kendall County who would disagree.

Find out what's happening in Yorkvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Yorkville business owner Sandy Kazenko has created the Facebook group “Kendall County Protests The Kelly Miller Circus” to alert people about the circus.

“The Kelly Miller circus has a history of being cited for animal abuse and neglect,” writes Kazenko on the page. “Please do not support this cruelty!” She asked for supporters to contact the Kendall County Fairgrounds to protest the circus being allowed to come to town.

We are aware of the concerns of local citizens regarding the Kelly Miller Circus,” the Kendall County Fairground Association wrote in a statement to Patch.

Find out what's happening in Yorkvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The statement explained that the Fairground Association is a non-profit run almost entirely on volunteers.

“With the time spent at our regular full-time jobs plus the time spent caring for the fairgrounds, we don't always have the chance to check into the backgrounds of the individuals or groups who rent our property,” explained the Fairground Association when asked how groups were able to rent the fairground.

The Fairground Association wrote to Kazenko and said they appreciate her concern for the animals of the circus. “The Fair shares that concern, as we encourage the children of Kendall County to learn about and care for farm livestock,” they wrote.

However, at this time the circus is set to go on.

“We are looking into the allegations brought against Kelly-Miller Circus, but at this time we are contracted with them for the use of our grounds,” wrote the Association. “By no means is that an endorsement, as we do not endorse any individual or group who decides to rent our property. Your concerns will be taken under advisement when considering future dealings with this group.”

Kazenko is now organizing a peaceful protest of the Kelly Miller Circus, set for 4 p.m. on Sept. 4 at the Fairgrounds.

“It will be a peaceful protest with the only goal being to share information with the public,” wrote Kazenko, who invited families with children to also attend.

“Please let your friends know that a few minutes of entertainment for your child is not worth a lifetime of misery for a wild animal,” said Kazenko.

Related:


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here