Daredevil motorcyclists, cotton candy, elephant rides, wide-eyed children and a human cannonball — Breslin Center came alive this weekend with the sights, sounds and smells of the Royal Hanneford Circus.

Lansing's Caravan Youth Center brought the circus to campus for the 15th-straight year for five weekend performances. The center donates a portion of proceeds from every seat sold to various charities. Youth Center member Ed Purchis said the event raised about $24,000 for charity.

The Youth Center is a nonprofit organization with no employees — it relies solely on volunteers from the community.

About 215 volunteers worked at the circus this year.

About 18,000 people attended the circus, up 26 percent from last year.

"We appreciate all the folks who came and supported the charities," Purchis said.

The Royal Hanneford Circus operates at up to seven venues at once, mostly in the Midwest and eastern United States.

Hanneford employee Kay Parker said Breslin Center's high ceiling allowed for more aerial stunts than usual, and caused minor difficulties with the setup.

"It's a high building, but a small floor area, so it's difficult to rig here," Parker said.

"We'll be back, bigger and better, next year."