Braintree Bans Saturday Circus, Refunds Available

Even though Walker International Events typically does not issue refunds for its circus performances, the company is offering money back or a substitute show Sunday in Framingham following the cancelation of its Braintree event on Saturday.

The difference in this case was ill-timed and unwarranted action by the Board of License Commissioners that denied Walker an amusement license based on parking and other issues, Office Manager for Walker International Events, SaSa Armor said.

Armor said she was surprised by the board's decision Tuesday because the application process had gone smoothly from her perspective and she said several times she received compliments from town employees about Walker's efficiency and organization.

Board members cited potential disruption from parking and pedestrian traffic in the residential neighborhood around the National Guard Armory where the event was to take place. They also expressed disappointment that no one from the company was available to answer questions.

Armor said that it is impossible for Walker to send representatives to license hearings in the dozens of towns around the country where it operates. The company is based in Sarasota, FL.

Armor also detailed attempts to contact Board Chair Joe Powers prior to the hearing. After an intial contact, Armor said she left several messages with people at his office and on voicemail but did not hear back from him until after the board voted.

"I couldn’t get any cooperation from Mr. Powers," Armor said. "We haven’t encountered problems like this anywhere in the country."

Powers vigorously denied Armor's accusations, saying that the company's application was incomplete when filed and information was not offered in a timely way.

He sent Armor an email two weeks prior to the hearing when she first inquired about holding the event, letting her know that live, non-domesticated animals for entertainment are not allowed by ordinance in Braintree.

Powers also said that Armor was working with the license coordinator and other town official and was told multiple times that someone should be in attendance during the hearing on April 9.

"Our due diligence is to be done at the meeting," Powers said. "If the event is so important to them, they should have sent somebody."

Armor also contended that Walker's event was not going to be large and disruptive. The company works with armories around the country because they have significant space indoors for the shows, and the Braintree site in particular has a large parking lot, she said. The circus typically generates 40 to 50 cars per performance.

"It’s a very family-oriented operation," Armor said. "It’s not Barnum & Bailey.”

Powers said that board members had serious questions about the parking issues that could not be answered during the hearing. All applicants are advised that a request may be tabled or rejected if no representative appears, he said.

"It's frustrating to me that we have a company that promoted an event and sold tickets well before they applied for a permit," Powers said. "If they want to blame somebody all they have to do is look in the mirror."

Ticket holders may call the company at 1-800-528-6577 for a refund or use their passes, including free kids tickets, at the Framingham show on Sunday, April 14 at 522 Concord St. at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.