Assisting in raising the Kelly Miller Circus tent is Lisa, a 37-year-old ,8000 pound Asian elephant, who will also perform Friday evening in Wilmette. | Kevin Tanaka for~Sun-Times Media.

Max Steen, 7, of Wilmette, protects his ears while stakes are driven into the ground to support the Kelly Miller Circus tent being raised Friday morning in Wilmette.| Kevin Tanaka for~Sun-Times Media.

People gathered behind Mikaelian Education Center to watch the Kelly Miller Circus tent being raised Friday morning in Wilmette.| Kevin Tanaka for~Sun-Times Media.

Kelly Miller Circus workers prepare to raise the tent behind the Mikaelian Education Center Friday morning in Wilmette.| Kevin Tanaka for~Sun-Times Media.

Students from Regina Dominican High school take an early look at elephants of the Kelly Miller Circus behind the Mikaelian Education Center Friday morning in Wilmette.| Kevin Tanaka for~Sun-Times Media.

Joe Kearney, left and son, Joey,8 of Glenview, attend the tent raising of the Kelly Miller Circus behind Mikaelian Education Center Friday morning in Wilmette.| Kevin Tanaka for~Sun-Times Media.

Kelly Miller Circus tigers surprise Aryaman Varshney, 4, of Wilmette, along with his mother, Preeti, while attending tent raising Friday morning in Wilmette.| Kevin Tanaka for~Sun-Times Media.

Audrey Jahns, left, and Isabella Laurie ride a camel at the Kelly Miller Circus Friday morning in Wilmette.| Kevin Tanaka for~Sun-Times Media.

Audrey Jahns, left, and Isabella Laurie ride a camel at the Kelly Miller Circus Friday morning in Wilmette.| Kevin Tanaka for~Sun-Times Media.