The big-top extravaganza Circus Vargas is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a return to seven locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Tabares Entertainment will present an entirely new production for 2009 – once again stressing fun family entertainment by star performers from all over the world.

Circus Vargas will perform at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton June 18-22, the San Mateo County Event Center in San Mateo June 25-29, Great Mall in Milpitas July 2-6, Westfield Oakridge Mall in San Jose July 9-13, Eastridge Mall in San Jose July 16-20, Hilltop Mall in Richmond July 23-27, and Southland Mall in Hayward July 30-August 3.

The new show takes previous Circus Vargas productions to a new level. Augmenting the spills, thrills, excitement and humor that are a trademark of Circus Vargas will be unprecedented audience participation.

The audience is encouraged to arrive 30 minutes before showtime for an interactive experience in the center ring, especially designed for the children. Jon Weiss, a former contestant of CBS TV’s “Amazing Race” will teach youngsters circus techniques and give them the feeling of being a performer as they learn in the same ring where the circus performance takes place.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.circusvargas.org, by phone at 877-GOTFUN-877-468-3861 or at the circus box office. Ticket prices vary from $20 to $50 for adults and $15 to $45 for children ages 2 through 10.