ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — High-wire acts, jugglers, and yes, clowns are on the schedule for this coming Sunday. The one-ring Lewis and Clark Circus is coming to the Baldwin County Coliseum. You can smell the animals, sawdust and popcorn now.

“This is something Baldwin County hasn’t had in a long time,” said A.B. “Sonny” Hankins, the Coliseum’s manager. Tickets for the circus are $15 for adults, and youngsters 14 and under are free. The circus will put up its traditional “big top” tent in a field next to the Coliseum. Performances, according to the circus’ Web site, are about an hour and a half.

“This is a European type, one-ring circus,” said Al Rawlins, a spokesman for the circus in a telephone interview. “You get better seats, right next to everything going on.”

As for the “free” youngsters, yes, they do have to be accompanied by ticket-holding adult.

“We really don’t care how many (youngsters) they bring,” said Rawlins.

One nice touch, the “midway” will be open to the public free of charge before the 2 and 4:30 p.m. performances.

“You don’t ned a ticket until the show,” said Rawlins. He added that the circus’ animals, including tigers, snakes and a petting zoo, complete with baby bull, will be visible.

“We are one of the few circuses to have a midway,” said Rawlins, who was quick to add that unlike midways of old, there is nothing frightening or objectionable at the Lewis and Clark midway. While most of the midway is free of charge, there are some attractions, like the circus’ “bounce house” that do require a ticket.

The circus, according to Rawlins, is about five years old, and plays smaller communities. He says that Lewis and Clark is one of a handful of smaller circuses traveling the country. In many cases, the circus works with a sponsor to produce a fund-raiser, but that’s not the case in Robertsdale.

“The experience is one most children won’t soon forget,” added Hankins, who can recall going to the Ringing Brothers circus in 1946.

“I remember the animals, especially the elephants,” said Hankins. “I had never seen a live elephant.”

“The performers are amazing,” said Hankins. “There are people performing without a net. Amazing.”

Because the circus is a small one, Rawlins says that performers often have to fill more than one role. For example, the circus’ ringmaster, Brian LaPalme, is also a fire eater.

While elephants are not on the program at the Lewis and Clark Circus, Hankins believes just getting to see the trained animals up close (yes, the tigers are caged) will be a treat.

“The children can seethe animals and talk to their trainer,” said Hankins.

That’s something you don’t get every day.”

For more information about the circus, go to their Web site, http://www.lewisandclarkcircus.com.