CEDAR CITY — The chitter-chatter of the kid-filled auditorium in the Heritage Center Theater Saturday evening was a energetic precursor to the night of hilarity and illusion presented by magician Mark Evans, who shared with the audience his “Mad World of Magic.”
The event was a fundraiser for the Cedar City Fire Department, which has 36-year roots in the community. Evans has performed the show each year from the beginning, he said, and uses his act to help raise money for fire departments all over the state.
The interactive stage performer drew in his youthful audience from the very beginning by involving them in the illusions he was creating for them before their eyes. Calling on audience members of all ages, Evans took each of them on a journey full of laughter and entertainment.
From cutting off their heads to wrapping them almost head-to-toe in balloons, the brave volunteers had no way of expecting what would come next from the seasoned professional and his boxes upon boxes of magical toys.
Joined onstage by his wife and assistant, Evans said they have been a performance duo for 40 years.
The magic show was a last-minute decision for attendees Cody Turnbaugh and his wife, Trish Turnbaugh, they said. One that was well worth the $3 ticket at the door, Cody Turnbaugh said.
“We had a little extra time and weren’t sure what to do with it,” Cody Turnbaugh said. “Then we saw about this fundraiser online — and we’re so glad we did — it was a lot of fun and super cute for the kids.”
It was too early Saturday night to know how much funding the Fire Department raked in this time around, but there was a large number of sponsors who played a role in helping the magic show happen by purchasing tickets in advance and giving them out as donations to the public, Evans said.
The fundraiser is a big one for CCFD every year, Cedar City Firefighter Nick Howell said, raking in well over $1,000 to help with the needs of the department. Whether it be equipment upkeep or Christmas gifts for families in need, he said, the funds stretch a long way.
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Mark Evans performs "The Mad World of Magic" for an eager audience of children to raise money for the Cedar City Fire Department, Heritage Center Theater, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 5, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Mark Evans performs "The Mad World of Magic" for an eager audience of children to raise money for the Cedar City Fire Department, Heritage Center Theater, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 5, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Mark Evans performs "The Mad World of Magic" for an eager audience of children to raise money for the Cedar City Fire Department, Heritage Center Theater, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 5, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Mark Evans performs "The Mad World of Magic" for an eager audience of children to raise money for the Cedar City Fire Department, Heritage Center Theater, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 5, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Mark Evans performs "The Mad World of Magic" for an eager audience of children to raise money for the Cedar City Fire Department, Heritage Center Theater, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 5, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
Mark Evans performs "The Mad World of Magic" for an eager audience of children to raise money for the Cedar City Fire Department, Heritage Center Theater, Cedar City, Utah, Sept. 5, 2015 | Photo by Carin Miller, St. George News
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