Trevor Kelly literally ran away to join the circus and now the Taumarunui-based man is touring with his own company.
Kelly Bros Circus is in Whanganui next weekend with six shows across two days accompanied by The Travellers Pop Up Fair.
"Since I was five my dream was to own a small circus," Mr Kelly said. "So I'm living the dream."
"We're smaller than others out there but we still perform a good show."
He said Kelly Bros was animal-free and at $5 a ticket the aim was to be family-friendly.