About
Since 1933
Since 1933, the Hadi Shrine Circus has dazzled both young and old from its home in Evansville, Indiana. The Hadi Temple is proud of the show’s long history, with third and fourth generation families coming to see the circus. Our Circus provides good, wholesome entertainment for a reasonable price, and it has consistently been one of the greatest shows on Earth for almost a century.
2023 marked the twelfth production at the Ford Center after 56 years at Roberts Stadium. During its incredible run, the Hadi Shrine Circus has changed with the times, evolving from a traditional production to a flashier style of show, especially over the last few years. With classic acts like jugglers, lion tamers, acrobats, and clowns, our circus pairs traditional circus fun with dazzling lighting, music, special effects, and action to keep you on the edge of your seat.
In order to keep the production fresh, the Hadi Shrine Circus contracts individual performers rather than signing on a full production every year. This allows for unique presentations and exceptional variety each year, with the opportunity to grow and cultivate new ideas. Of course, the success of any great circus is dependent on the animals. All of the animals are treated like family, with top-quality care including annual check-ups and vaccinations. In addition, some of the dogs that perform during the show were rescued from shelters.
This year’s Hadi Shrine Circus required 11 months of planning and over 1,000 people working together to create something truly special. So be sure to get your tickets early – and bring your family to the show!
We’ll see you at the Circus!
The Main Act
| Year | Main Act | Location |
| 1957 | Matt Dillon – Gunsmoke | Roberts Stadium |
| 1958 | Chester – Big Snow This Year | Roberts Stadium |
| 1959 | Joey – Fury | Roberts Stadium |
| 1960 | Rebel | Roberts Stadium |
| 1961 | The Three Stooges | Roberts Stadium |
| 1962 | Rifleman – Chuck Connors | Roberts Stadium |
| 1963 | Granny – Beverly Hillbilly | Roberts Stadium |
| 1964 | Little Joe – Bonanza | Roberts Stadium |
| 1965 | The Addams Family | Roberts Stadium |
| 1966 | Robin – Batman | Roberts Stadium |
| 1967 | Festus – Gunsmoke | Roberts Stadium |
| 1968 | Fess Parker | Roberts Stadium |
| 1969 | Banana Splits | Roberts Stadium |
| 1970 | Bugs Bunny | Roberts Stadium |
| 1971 | Emmett Kelly | Roberts Stadium |
| 1972 | Festus – Gunsmoke | Roberts Stadium |
| 1973 | Little Joe – Bonanza | Roberts Stadium |
| 1974 | ––– no main act ––– | Roberts Stadium |
| 1975 | Tweety Pie & Sylvester | Roberts Stadium |
| 1976 | ––– no main act ––– | Roberts Stadium |
| 1977 | Batman | Roberts Stadium |
| 1978 | Spiderman & Hulk | Roberts Stadium |
| 1979 | Jason – Star Command | Roberts Stadium |
| 1980 | ––– no main act ––– | Roberts Stadium |
| 1981 | Enos – Dukes of Hazzard | Roberts Stadium |
| 1982 | Daisy – Dukes of Hazzard | Roberts Stadium |
| 1983 | Boss Hogg – Dukes of Hazzard | Roberts Stadium |
| 1984 | Radar – M.A.S.H. | Roberts Stadium |
| 1985 | Transformers | Roberts Stadium |
| 1986 | Care Bear & G.I. Joe | Roberts Stadium |
| 1987 | Alvin & The Chipmunks | Roberts Stadium |
| 1988 | The Munsters | Roberts Stadium |
| 1989 | Lassie | Roberts Stadium |
| 1990 | Bart & Homer Simpson | Roberts Stadium |
| 1991 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Roberts Stadium |
| 1992 | Wild West Cowboys of Moo Mesa | Roberts Stadium |
| 1993 | Russian Stars | Roberts Stadium |
| 1994 | Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad | Roberts Stadium |
| 1995 | ––– no main act ––– | Roberts Stadium |
| 1996 | Bozo the Clown | Roberts Stadium |
| 1997 | Baby Niki – Elephant | Roberts Stadium |
| 1998 | ––– no main act ––– | Roberts Stadium |
| 1999 | ––– no main act ––– | Roberts Stadium |
| 2000 | ––– no main act ––– | Roberts Stadium |
| 2001 | Kenya Wizards | Roberts Stadium |
| 2002 | Kenya Wizards | Roberts Stadium |
| 2003 | Kenya Wizards | Roberts Stadium |
| 2004 | Spiderman | Roberts Stadium |
| 2005 | ––– no main act ––– | Roberts Stadium |
| 2006 | King Charles Troupe | Roberts Stadium |
| 2007 | Spiderman | Roberts Stadium |
| 2008 | SpongeBob SquarePants | Roberts Stadium |
| 2009 | SpongeBob SquarePants | Roberts Stadium |
| 2010 | Scooby-Doo | Roberts Stadium |
| 2011 | Scooby-Doo & Shaggy | Ford Center |
| 2012 | Dora the Explorer & Diego | Ford Center |
| 2013 | Chicago Boyz & SpongeBob SquarePants | Ford Center |
| 2014 | Adventure Time: Finn & Jake | Ford Center |
| 2015 | SpongeBob SquarePants & Santa Claus | Ford Center |
| 2016 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Ford Center |
| 2017 | Thrillusionist David DaVinci | Ford Center |
| 2018 | Bello Nock | Ford Center |
| 2019 | Bello Nock | Ford Center |
| 2020 | ––– postponed due to COVID-19 ––– | ––– |
| 2021 | Bello Nock | Ford Center |
| 2022 | Ari Steeples | Ford Center |
| 2023 | Ari Steeples | Ford Center |
| 2024 | Ari Steeples | Ford Center |
Hadi Shrine Circus Ticket Office
(812) 425-4376
1 (800) 66-CLOWN
Hadi Shrine Temple
6 Walnut Street, Evansville, IN 47708
Presented at the
