The Greatest Show in Rochester has something for everyone

A stuntman on the Wheel of Death catches his balance after jumping in the air while at its zenith during a Circus Hollywood show at the Rochester Fair on Thursday. (Rochester Voice photos)

ROCHESTER - Not many fairs have their own circus. Almost none that's free.

But in Rochester you can step right in under the Circus Hollywood Big Top to watch the shenanigans of side-splitting clowns, feats of derring-do on the Wheel of Death and trapeze swing and Crystal Coronas' cleverly trained poodles who will steal your heart during an hourlong show that costs nothing and will bring a smile to kids of all ages.

Be careful though, and dress comfortably. You never know when you'll be part of the show.

To the tune of the 'Mission Impossible' theme booming inside the Big Top, Crystal Coronas gets her teacup poodle to climb a metal structure straight to the top.

On Thursday five unsuspecting folk in the audience found themselves in the center ring taking directions from a mischievous clown in a complicated music and dance routine that involved cymbals, bells, bicycle horn, a plate and spoon and some very comedic clown choreographing.

The 10-minute routine had the whole tent in hysterics as the clown confused and cajoled the five who thought they'd come to watch a show and ended up being the show.

A Circus Hollywood clown teaches an audience member to get the most out of his mojo.

But the highlight of the show was the Wheel of Death in which a stuntman stood atop a shiny chrome wheel and proceeded to "catch air" like a skateboarder when the wheel dipped below its zenith.

He also jumped rope atop the sphere.

"Now the louder you scream the faster he'll go," exhorted the ringmaster.

Of course the crowd complied with thunderous screams.

Oh, to be a kid again. Oh yeah; for an hour or so, we were.

Circus Hollywood has two shows today, at 5 and 7 p.m. and three each day on Saturday and Sunday, 2, 5 and 7 p.m.