DOWNEY - Circus Vargas raised its big top over Downey this weekend, officially kicking off a three week stay in the city.

The Circus returns after the Covid-19 pandemic forced it into an over-a-year hiatus on live performances.

Katya Arata-Quiroga, owner, said that the circus is “excited to be back.”

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Arata-Quiroga. “Hopefully, we are back better than ever. We have a new tent, new seating, new lighting. We have a new show; the show has not been seen yet in LA at all.”

The show, entitled “Mr. V’s Big Top Dream,” pays homage to Circus founder Clifford E. Vargas, telling the story of how he fell in love with the circus as a small child, started his own, and eventually passed it onto the next generation. It features dancing, comedy, spectacular tricks and death-defying stunts which Arata-Quiroga described as “the thrill of a lifetime.”

She added that guests and performers alike were “ready for this.”

“As they say, the show must go on,” said Arata-Quiroga. “Now it’s going stronger than ever.”

Jessica Lester, foot juggler, said that the show has “made people excited again.”

“I think, most of all, it’s that they’re happy with seeing things that they don’t normally see, that excitement feeling,” said Lester. “When you come to the circus, you know you’re going to see things you don’t see at home. We’re satisfied if they enjoyed the whole show, and that’s the whole point of the show, to make people smile.”

Mariella Quiroga, trapeze artist, said that people “have been wanting to go out.”

“With having everything closed for so long, being home, I feel like everyone is really excited to have the circus back in their life,” said Quiroga. “We’ve had a great experience with our audience so far.”

She added that she loves the intimacy of this year’s show.

“We try to include the whole audience in the show so they feel like they’re part of the show,” said Quiroga. “Our main goal is to make people happy and help them forget the everyday struggles; that when they come to the circus, they’re just amazed by what’s going on and they can forget about their troubles and just have a nice few hours with their family.”

Circus Vargas has set up their tent in the Stonewood Center parking lot closest to Firestone Boulevard, and will be performing most days through Sept. 12. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office, ranging in price from $12 to $70, with children age 2 and under free.

Patrons will be required to wear face masks.

For more information, visit circusvargas.com.