THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO MY TWIN BROTHER, BILL DYKES (1943-1995). WE WERE NOT ONLY BROTHERS BUT PARTNERS IN BUSINESS AND BEST FRIENDS! AND TO ALL THE "BUTCHERS" THAT HAVE PASSED ON TO THE BIG LOT IN THE SKY!


CIRCUS NOW OPEN!

2014 Convention

SAVE THE DATES

SAVE THE DATES



Saturday, August 23, 2008

Minnesota State Fair (hope You can take the music!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFmS6D0WX4

West Virginia State Fair

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHqwjuZETMU

Maryland State Fair

http://www.abc2news.com/




Memorial Service for Showman BOBBY FAIRCHILD ~
Monday, August 25 (correction)
6 ~ 8 PM
Lewers Funeral Home
308 E. College Avenue
Ruskin, Florida 33570
813 645 3231
For those who wish, flowers will be most welcomed at the funeral home.
Gathering of family and friends immediately following at:
The residence of
Lauren Fairchild
3432 24th Parkway
Sarasota, Florida 34235
Bobby's family and friends are invited to share in the Celebration of his life.
--------------------------
Mike NaughtonYANKEE DOODLE CIRCUSPO Box 440Slingerlands, New York 12159---518 439 7857 Administration518 928 5998 Mike's mobilewww.circuspace.ning.com/profile/MikeNaughtonMikeNaugtonCircus@verizon.net
Don't try to address any mail to this address.
This card we used in '88

Dennis Gilli-Show Painter

You never know wher this guy's gonna show up!
Dennis had just painted his truck and was visiting Kelly-Miller at Frederick also.

Cheryl Martin and Travis

Looks like somebody woke Travis Up!

KELLY-MILLER CIRCUS




CLICK ON TITLE OF POST TO GO THERE!

Friday, August 22, 2008

Kelly-Miller 1988

Sorry these are out of sequence!

Kelly-Miller 1988

Here we're arriving at the lot, Frederick, MD fairgrounds.
We were there to visit Billy and Cheryl Martin to discuss plans for the next season of the Cole All-Star Circus.
There's quite a few pictures in this post. Hope you enjoy them!
And don't forget if you click on them they will enlarge.

Kelly-Miller 1988


Kelly-Miller 1988


Kelly-Miller 1988


Kelly-Miller 1988


Kelly-Miller 1988


Kelly-Miller 1988


From Canada-Mr Paul Parsons


British Circus Programs











Thursday, August 21, 2008

Bobby Fairchild 1988

Bobby and his daughter on Kelly-Miller, 1988.

Little Richard's French Fries

 litle richard's trailer
CRAWFORD COUNTY FAIR THIS WEEK,
THE GREAT ALLENTOWN. PA FAIR NEXT WEEK
AND MARYLAND STATE FAIR STARTING TONIGHT!

Little Richard's Popcorn Stand

little richard's other trailer
THIS WEEK AT THE CRAWFORD COUNTY FAIR, MEADEVILLE, PA

BOBBY FAIRCHILD

I just received word from Gibsonton that a very dear friend of mine has passed away.
This morning I received a phone call informing Me that Bobby Fairchild was found in his home,yesterday. No cause of death has been determined as of right now.
Bobby was on many shows that my brother and I worked on. He was a helluva nice guy!
Show business will really miss this gentleman!

I would like to send my condolences to his family.

Dick

I Am Comming!


Cole All Star Circus

Bill and I always liked to have a pennant for the shows we Worked.
This one was on the Cole All Star Circus.

Playtime Free Circus - 1960's


Then only infor I have on this set of Pictures is Playtime, 1960's.
I beleive this was a show owned by New England's Billy Burr and his Dad before Him.
Back in the ;late 50's and early 60's these time shows came about to take advantage of all the new strip shopping centers that were popping up around the country.
Probably one of the most famous were Paul A. Miller's Free Circus, Dub Duggan's Free Coircus, and Billy Burr's, which went on to play Fairs.

Playtime Free Circus - 1960's




Playtime Free Circus - 1960's




Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Allan Herschell Merry-Go-Round



This 1950's era Allan Herschell Merry-Go-Round is here in Dover, DE.
It's in Good Shape, good canvas as you can see, but will need a few repairs.
It was used last two years ago.
The price is right.
If you happen to be interested give us a call.
Dick-(302) 734-2400 office
Little Richard Thomas at: 1-267-735-8355 cell

From the Salisbury, MD Daily Times Newspaper


Phills Bros Circus-1993-Denton, MD



Phills Bros Circus-1993-Denton, MD



Phills Bros Circus-1993-Denton, Md.



Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Circus Williams-Althoff-1993



Here's a few more pictures of Conrad and Bunny Pratt's concession operation on Circus Williams Althoff taken in 1993.

Circus Promos and Free Tickets



Turtle's Handout on Roberts Bros

The following post is a Handout that Ken "Turtle" Benson used on Roberts Bros. Circus during the 1990's. Turtle had this made up himself. He also always had a sign introducing "Lisa" with a description of her age, weight and so forth. He was very into explaining to the public the care given to elephants on the circus.

Turtle's Handout on Roberts Bros.




Sunday, August 17, 2008

Carson & Barnes Set-Up 2008

Carnival News


ISLAND COUNTY FAIR UPDATE: Veteran of the midway keeps coolBy ROY JACOBSONSouth Whidbey Record Reporter Aug 14 2008 · UPDATED
It was a hot day at the Island County Fair in Langley on Thursday, but 76-year-old Connie "Bubbles" Amarosa was playing it cool.
As the thermometer edged toward 80 degrees, Amarosa was comfortable in the shade behind the counter of the bottle-toss booth, along with the stuffed animals she was eager to give away.
Well, maybe not give away — it costs $5 for three oversized softballs, emphasis on soft. Object: to knock down a stack of four milk-bottle-shaped targets about six feet away.
"It's easy," said Amarosa. "We're losing lots of stuff. Just pretend you're a baseball player."
As she talked, a young mother tried her luck. Close, but no cigar. No stuffed
Bart Simpson dolls, no stuffed tigers, no stuffed monkeys. Ziltch. "Oh well," she said.
Amarosa said she's from New York, and this road swing with Paradise Amusements is her first to the West Coast. On this trip, she has set up in California, Oregon and Washington.
"I've been in the business 60 years," she said. "My family was in it. I've been all over the rest of the country."
A mother of three grown sons and grandmother of six, Amarosa said there has been more to her life than fairgrounds and carnivals.
"I'm a retired Army nurse," she said. "I was a second lieutenant in Korea. I even jumped behind enemy lines." She didn't elaborate.
She said "Bubbles" is her stage name, acquired back when she used to manage "girl shows" on the midways of America. She didn't elaborate.
Favorite concession? "I liked every game I've played. But I really like the baskets and balloons."
Plans for retirement? "No."
The local clientele? "I think they're nice. They seem to be."
Next stop? "Somewhere else in Washington, I'm not sure where."
Getting antsy, and eager to drum up business, she hailed those strolling by.
"Are you ready? I need a baseball player."
The fair continues through Sunday.
Roy Jacobson can be reached at 221-5300 or rjacobson@southwhidbeyrecord.com.
South Whidbey Record Reporter Roy Jacobson can be

A Little Sunday Morning Mirth

Miscellaneous Pictures

The first picture is Brother Bill the first year we worked the Inflate Game on Taylor's Amusements around 1989, I beleive.
And the second picture was Roberts Bros Eelephant Dept in Hurlock, MD that was probably around 1993.
DON'T FORGET TO CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT!

Miscellaneous Pictures

The above pictures are Bentley Bros Office and the second one is a cafeteria style concession trailer. Pictures taken in Brandon Fl in the 80's.
I might add that stand had the best dressed cashier in the business.
Tommy Bentley in full dress tuxedo!
And of course this is Carson & Barns Office in the 1970's.

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