What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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early days when the backyard at his parents' house was "filled with practice wires, trapeze and other circus rigging. When friends came over after school, that was our playground!" And he says his "most heart pounding" stunt was "definitely when I proposed to my wife from the high-wire in Montreal in 1998!" "A lot of [stunts] are inspired by family," he says. "The jaw hang over Silver Dollar City was actually inspired by a photo in my grandmother's house of her hanging by her teeth below a bicycle on the high-wire. I wanted to pay tribute to my grandmother, but also take it to a new and exciting level, so I decided to do my stunt below a helicopter. "One of my favorite parts of the show are the acts that take something ordinary and turn it into an extraordinary art," he adds. "The audience is going to see people that are truly passionate about their art, and I know they will be inspired when they leave to pursue their own passions and dreams." Wallenda will perform three times a day at the Silver Dollar City Opera House, but the new show is just the beginning of National Kids Fest. "There's an all new Chuggington," Rau enthuses, "a terrific new immersive activity for preschoolers who take to the rails in their own 'Chugger' trains. There will be dramatic lights, music and a DJ conductor, all inside the Chuggington Adventure Depot. It is an interactive playland adventure that brings the hit animated TV series from the UK to life with characters, locations in a Chuggington village and more." Of course, all the longtime favorites are still part of the fun. "Silver Dollar City is announcing 2022 as 'the biggest entertainment year ever' at the park," Rau says, "featuring 10 world-class festivals and events and an entertainment playbill of hundreds of shows and performers. [But there are still] 40 rides and attractions, demonstrating artisans, the great Marvel Cave and much heralded, creative home- style cooking. "And summer concerts include legendary names like The Ozark Mountain Daredevils and Newsboys." Rau says visitors can't miss her favorite thing about Kids Fest: the energy. "I love the energy of Kids Fest! There's nothing like the cacophony of excited voices from the ticket yard below my office. The way the kids can't wait, the sounds of laughter and anticipation. But, as I say with a chuckle in the evening, when guests exit, those voices are tuckered out!" MAY 29-JUNE 4, 2022 WHAT'S UP! 37 COVER STORY Zirkus Continued From Page 3 Nik Wallenda says he started on the high-wire when he was 2. Now he gets a chance to help other up-and-coming performers. (Courtesy Photo) Longtime favorite roller-coasters rise over Silver Dollar City as part of National Kids Fest. (Courtesy Photo) An all new Chuggington comes to Silver Dollar City for Kids Fest, creating an immersive activity for preschoolers who take to the rails in their own "Chugger" trains. (Courtesy Photo) FAQ National Kids Fest WHEN — June 11-July 24 WHERE — Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo. COST — Starting at $79 INFO — silverdollarcity.com