BCAT News

The family-friendly Flip Circus is coming to the Burlington Mall this September after special permit applications have been approved at the Planning Board. The circus features acrobats, clowns, jugglers and performing artists from around the world. The show has no animals and no alcohol will be served at the venue.

“I’m eighth generation circus,” said Flip Circus General Manager Shirley Larible. “So it’s in my veins and something I love dearly. I think it’s very good for the family because it’s something they can do together.”

Flip Circus will also give out tickets to local nonprofits for everyone to be included. Justin Feldhouse, General Manager of the Burlington Mall, has provided a list of prominent local nonprofits in the area, including People Helping People. Of the 836-seat venue, 150 seats will go to nonprofits for each show.

A traveling circus, Flip Circus has performed in North Attleboro, Hyannis, Auburn as well as in Connecticut and New Hampshire. With a dinner-and-a-show concept, the circus is expected to bring more foot traffic to the Burlington Mall and create an uptick for local businesses.

Town of Burlington Economic Director Melisa Tintocalis, who has been working on bringing the circus to Burlington, cited it’s part of a strategy to bring in more foot traffic to the mall amid turnover in the restaurants. Other town departments have also had their input on the special permit.

The circus isn’t without complications: Planning Board members voiced concerns with the traffic flow at the mall and surrounding roads, to which Planning Director Elizabeth Bonventre noted the mall has over 1,400 parking spaces, so there is little concern with taking up parking for mall businesses. Board members also asked that proper signage be posted. Burlington Mall security will coordinate with Burlington Police, and Flip Circus will provide parking assistants, guards and ushers for each show. The circus trailers and the big top itself will be well and maintained during their stay.

Flip Circus is set to run shows September 6-17, with one show per day Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. Saturdays will have three shows at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., with the show finished by 9 p.m. Sundays will also have three shows, at 12 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., with the last show finished by 8 p.m.

The special permit was fully supported by the Planning Board with a unanimous vote.

Learn more about Flip Circus at their website.