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COMMUNITY CALENDAR 8A CRIME WATCH 12A
AUGUST 30, 2023 candgnews.com
Oakland County papers
Michigan State Fair to feature Aquatic Acrobatic Show BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com
Photo provided by Martin Alvarez
Acrobats and show founders Crina and Martin Alvarez perform during an Aquatic Acrobatic Show.
NOVI — The Michigan State Fair will return Aug. 31Sept. 4 to the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. This year, the fair is adding aquatic acrobatics to its long list of entertainment. Martin Alvarez and his wife, Crina, of North Port, Florida, former members of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, will bring the Aquatic Acrobatic Show to the fair. “It’s a one-of-a-kind show. It really is. It has state-of-the-art sound and lighting, and it is just a beautiful show to look at and to see and very entertaining,” said Alvarez. “It’s my creation. I created it. That’s why I know it’s the only one.” The 30-minute show features a 30-foot ring of water that surrounds a stage, making it appear as though it were an island. Aerialists will fly over the stage, and the acrobatics will also be performed in and out of the water. The show will feature four acrobats and a standup Jet Ski “cyclone” act. The act features performers dressed as mermaids performing acrobatic stunts. “It’s perfect for the whole family because we have the acrobatic thrills, we have the Jet Skis. We interact; we have this part where I do comedy, and I interact with the kids. They’ll be part of the show — the kids. We have the mermaids. That’s every little girl’s dream, to be the mermaids. We have the Jet Skis for the adults. It’s for the whole family,” Alvarez said. Alvarez said he is the fifth generation in a family of acrobats and is the one who comes up with “crazy ideas.” He said his wife and kids thought he was nuts when he sat them down and told them that they were going to do this show. “Everybody thought I had flew over the cuckoo’s nest,” he said. The show is now in its fifth season of touring. This will be the first time Alvarez has come to Michigan. According to a press release, “2023 is the year of the pumpSee STATE FAIR on page 13A
Leader Dogs for the Blind seeks host homes for breeding dogs, puppies BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER HILLS — Leader Dogs for the Blind is looking to the community to host a breeding dog in their home, a volunteer opportunity
that the nonprofit says is now more accessible for a variety of lifestyles. Leader Dogs’ breeding program was established in the 1980s, according to Dana Hunter, Leader Dogs breeding manager. “One of the reasons that we first
started a breeding program was so that we could better ensure the quality of the dogs that we were providing to our clients. We know, through science and practice, that the best way to care for dogs and raise litters of See LEADER DOGS on page 10A
A proud yellow Labrador retriever Leader Dogs for the Blind mom shows off her new litter of Labrador/ golden retriever crosses. Photo provided by Leader Dogs for the Blind