Mayors’ group, others unite to give kids special treat

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Palmetto Mayor J. Clark Boddie and several families from the Coweta area recently joined others on a “Magical Journey,” a private pre-show event before attending the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey’s Circus in Atlanta.

Natural gas provider Gas South teamed up with the Metropolitan Atlanta Mayors Association, the Georgia Municipal Association and Feld Entertainment to take special needs families to the circus where the children were able to interact with performers and the circus animals during the special pre-show event. The group was treated to the Magical Journey, the circus and souvenirs.

“This opportunity is so special – not only for the children but also for us as volunteers,” said Boddie, who serves as chairman of the Metro Atlanta Mayors Association. “We’re thrilled to help bring this magical experience to these children and their families.”

Feld Entertainment, which has produced similar pre-show events across the nation, designed the Atlanta event specifically for the special needs of the young attendees. Children with hearing impairments were provided with sign language interpreters for the floor show and circus performance, while the pre-show elements for children with visual impairments focused on touch and sound experiences. Feld also works with each venue to provide wheelchair and other mobility device-accessible seating for guests.

The mayors and municipal association worked together with agencies in their 30 respective communities to distribute the free tickets to local children with special needs.