For time immemorial, it was one of the rites of summer . . . the circus is coming to town.

While the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus may be folding its big top this May after 146 years, St. Thomas will be home to its very own big top this summer.

In August, St. Thomas will play host to an authentic European-style circus – the Canadian Swiss Dream Circus – billed on its website as “incredible displays of acrobatic, balance, aerial stunts and thrilling acts, the cast of the Canadian Swiss Dream Circus is a show that audiences won’t want to miss.”

Artistic director Marco Baumgartner invites audiences to “Catch the high-spirited and pulse-racing thrills by the most famous artists under our Big Top. Never before has such an amazing cast of this calibre been seen in Canada.”

Exact dates and ticket prices will be announced shortly for the circus under the big top to be held adjacent to the Elgin County Railway Museum.

Massive may be a more appropriate description. The tent is 16,0000 square feet in size, holds in excess 0f 2.000 in grandstand seating and 1,000 for catered events. The stage measures 1,260 square feet.

Ever wanted to hold your own event under the big top? Well it will be available from July 15 to October 15 for groups and special events such as concerts, weddings, corporate functions, trade shows and the like.

The undertaking is a joint venture between the St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation and Railway City Tourism, with $25,000 in financial support from the Ontario government.

For more information, visit railwaycitybigtop.com.

The spirit of Jumbo surely will be brought back to life under the big top this summer.