HOUSTON - The circus is in town and the big top show is a big deal, literally for one Houston business owner.
Shereen McCrary has owned a flower and plant shop for decades but she has had a love for elephants even longer. So imagine her shock when the circus came calling offering her a job.
"I actually was very shocked. When they came and asked if we could create an environment and habitat to make it comfortable and warm and cozy for the animals, I said yes. Then I went home and thought, 'How am I going to do this?,'" laughs McCrary. She owns Sherrariums Plantscaping Company in Houston.
"We've been open for almost forty years" says McCrary.
Out of the blue, Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus called her and, no clowning around, the traveling circus offered her a job. Shereen's big call to transform Reliant Stadium into home-sweet-home for the circus superstars came in 2010. She did so well she was hired again for 2011.
"Everything I bring in has to be approved by Ringling," says McCrary. A plethora of plants are brought in to the stadium and stored as the circus is set up.
It is a sight to see plants, palms and perennials in the potty. Yes, the restrooms and locker rooms are transformed into great big greenhouses.
"We have over 6,000 plants ranging in size from 24 feet to probably 20 inches," says McCrary. She then had 24 hours to move the plants and trees out of storage and into place.
The designs are now complete and the show under the big top is open. What is called "The Greatest Show On Earth" perhaps now has the greatest "Animal Garden Oasis on Earth" put together by a Houston woman who has always adored the show's star attraction.
"Just everything about an elephant from when I was probably very little. I collect elephants. The logo for my company is an elephant. So, when Ringling asked me to build an environment, being able to build a home for the elephant was unbelievably exciting," says McCrary with a smile.
Sherrariums Plantscaping Company serves special and commercial events. The Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus will be in Houston at Reliant Stadium for two weeks until July 24..
