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

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Friday, May 22, 2009

LAS VEGAS STRATOSPHERE INSANITY RIDE

ROYAL RANCH WILD WEST CIRCUS 1974 (FROM RJ REYNOLDS)

Back in 1974 I came across the Royal Wild West Circus set up. Took some pictures but then it rained so I never got to see the show. They did not have a big top, just circled the trucks and did a open air show much like the original wild west shows. RJ Reynolds
The Royal Ranch Wild West & Circus was owned by
Ozzie Schleentz, a Colts Neck, NJ sign painter.
He did a lot of work for Hunt Bros Circus.
The first couple of seasons they did have a big top.
They had a blow down, the year I can't remember,
several people were injured. Ozzie never replaced the top.










GLEN NICOLODI




Glen Nicolodi -- hand balancing / Italy Winner of the BRONZE prize at the 7th International Circus Festival of Budapest, 2008.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

"WORLD'S YOUNGEST "GLOBE OF DEATH" RIDER

COLE BROS CIRCUS OF THE STARS (FROM CIRCUSPACE.COM)


Find more videos like this on CircuSpace

COLE SHOW IN TANNERSVILLE, PA--

Kailee Johnson, 4, of Easton, sits wide-eyed during the performance of Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars at Camelback Mountain Resort.
To purchase a print of this photo, go to www.PoconoRecord.com/photostore. Melissa Evanko/Pocono Record
May 21, 2009, The Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars visited the Camelback Mountain Resort in Tannersville on Wednesday, delighting children and adults alike.
The circus, sponsored by the Pocono Township Police and Pocono Township Volunteer Fire Department, is part of fundraising effort to buy new equipment for the two departments.
Performances continue tonight, show times are 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.

from The Pocono Record

FIRST ANSWER TO YESTERDAY'S QUESTION---


>The question was"How did seat butchers get their name?"

So far only this one answer has been sent---

Mr. Lee said....I was told that it was because the "vendors" cut up the audiance by sections as a butcher would a carcass. The better money was in the Prime sections and the cheaper cuts were off at the ends in the blues...Hence butchering the seats.
Lee Stevens
Gibsonton
Thanks Lee!



HOXIE-BORDEX CIRCUS 1962

PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE TO READ!
Please remember as you read this it's 1962 and I wasn't out of High School
a year yet.
I wound up not making the tour after I went to Sarasota and they
showed Me my Sound Truck (An old Volkswagon Bus) and told Me
that's also your living quarters!
But in later years I did return, with our novelty operation for a couple of Springs before the Fair season started.
Thanks to Fred Hoffman. He found this in some papers that that were in part of Bill's Collection.

FROM MSNBC (Mike Naughton)

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

CAN YOU HELP?

I just received a phone call from a certain show with a question that I need help answering!
The owner would like to know how guys that work the seats
came to be named "Butchers"?
I'm sure Johnny Walker explained that to me time years ago but I
can't remember the story.
So if someone out there knows would you please
let me know?
Just leave a comment or call me. I'm at work and the number is
302-734-2400.
Thanks! Dick

CULPEPPER & MERRIWEATHER 2002 #1

And they're still using the same Big Top Today!
Circus Toys!









Brent Dewitt





CULPEPPER & MERRIWEATHER 2002 #2

Fernando Bautista
Dora Bautista

Natalie Cainin







CIRCUS STAMPS

Found this sheet of circus stamps while rumaging through
some of Bill's Circus collection last night.
Can anyone remember the year that these were issued?
I can't, but I can remember picking them up at the Post Office
the first day they were issued.

TAYLOR & SONS RETURN

Congradulations to the Taylor Family of Annapolis, MD.
They brought back their "Taylor & Sons Amusements" to tour
again this year after a 5 year layoff.
Cliff Taylor is General Manager and Charles (Mike) Taylor is Chairman of the Board.
They opened this spring in the Baltimore area and also dates around the Washington, DC area.
Any committees interested in raising funds in the Maryland - Virginia area witha reputable family owned show should contact them.





Lynn Mills and Sue Anne Taylor in The Mills Popcorn wagon around
1993 or '94
Go0d Luck to the Taylor Family!




Monday, May 18, 2009

LEWIS & CLARK CIRCUS 2007 #1

I just happened across these pictures last night from the 2007 tour of Bob Childress's Lewis & Clark Circus
They were featured in the Blairsville, Ga Newspaper. Date--September 7, 2007
And since this show will be in my area in a couple of weeks I couldn't resist posting these.



LEWIS & CLARK CIRCUS 2007 #2







Sunday, May 17, 2009

FROM 6ABC PHILADELPHIA



SUSAN VIDBEL ASHTON




VIDBEL OLD TIME CIRCUS--OPENING DAY--(FROM FRED HOFFMAN)

Vidbel Circus opened May 9th in Narbeth, PA.
Show moves on two flatbed semis.
Top is still in good shape from years ago.
This town is a strong repeat date and big crowds turned out for 3 shows.
Here's the program--
1-Hula Hoops, Oleana Deshko
2-Lyra, Joel
3-Pony & Dogs, Jennifer Walker
4-Clown, Olex Kartukov
5-Juggling, Pat Davidson
6-Big & Little, Heidi Herriot
7-Clown
8-Risley-Pat Davidson
--INTERMISSION--
9-Rola Bola, Pat Davidson
10-Clown
11-Ashton Duo, Mike & Son
12-Dressage, Heidi Herriot
13-Cube, Oleana Deshko
14-Cloud Swing, Jennifer Vidbel Ashton
--Ringmaster, Pat Davidson--
"All Out and Over!"
From: Fred Hoffman

VIDBEL OLD TIME CIRCUS--OPENING DAY#1--(FROM FRED HOFFMAN)

The owner doing concessions!
I'm glad that's not me trying to spin Floss in the wide open.
Especially when the winds blowing!










VIDBEL OLD TIME CIRCUS--OPENING DAY#2--(FROM FRED HOFFMAN)

Olena Deshko


Pat Davidson












VIDBEL OLD TIME CIRCUS--OPENING DAY#3--(FROM FRED HOFFMAN)

Jennifer Vidbel Ashton


Wyn Murrah, Drums & Music Technician








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