THE BALLOON MAN: 2009-09-06

Saturday, September 12, 2009

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VA COUNTY FAIR (2009)

CLALLAM COUNTY FAIR (WASHINGTON STATE)

Friday, September 11, 2009

YORK FAIR FROM WGAL TV8 LANCASTER (THURSDAY)

BEST ROLLER COASTER RIDE EVER!

YORK, PA FAIR OPENS TODAY!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

GREAT BRITISH CIRCUS DEFENDS ANIMALS

Great British Circus defends use of animals
Published Tuesday 25 August 2009 at 15:35 by Chloe Thomas

Officials from the circus industry have moved to defend the use of animals in live performance, following the release of footage by an animal welfare group showing the mistreatment of an elephant at the Great British Circus
Earlier this month, Animal Defenders International unveiled a video which was filmed in May and appeared to show the animals being chained up and beaten in the face by their keeper. The group has called for the government to ban the use of all wild animals in travelling circuses.
However, Chris Barltrop, chairman of Equity’s Variety Advisory Committee and a spokesperson for the Great British Circus, said that the incident was a one-off and the organisation had already - prior to the release of the video - dismissed the man who had been guilty of the abuse.
He told The Stage: “The circus is a culturally valuable institution and we would welcome increased surveillance of our members of staff to prove to the British public that we are working to high standards. The Great British Circus is conducting a thorough investigation of this matter and will take all necessary measures to address any concerns. The circus has also initiated a review of elephant handling by all remaining personal to ensure that our normal high standards are always met”.
An independent paper prepared for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in November 2007, which examined the use of animals in the circus, found that there was no evidence to suggest that animals used by circuses were any worse off than animals kept in other captive environments like zoos.
However, ADI claims that the new evidence means the government should reconsider its stance.
Chief executive Jan Creamer said: “Making a token gesture to sack a temporary worker is not going to keep these elephants from harm. The circus breeds a culture of violence and confinement. In the name of entertainment, these vulnerable animals are beaten, poked with metal hooks and shackled for hours on end each day. We urge DEFRA to act quickly to take these animals away from this torment and the government must confirm their commitment to animal welfare by banning the use of wild animals in travelling circuses once and for all.”

AL G KELLY & MILLER BROS CIRCUS 1968 (JIM ELLIOTT)

These pictures were taken at Frontier City, Olmsted, Michigan.

It appears to Me that the show was sidewalled for this date.

Of course if you identify any of the folks in these pictures I welcome you COMMENTS!

I beleive the band is the Reynold's Family from Ohio.

Freddy Logan

Freddy Logan's "Fighting Lions"

Harry Rooks

JIMMY JAMES INFORMATION-- (CIRCUS VERN)

Legendary circus ringmaster Jimmy James (born Jimmy James Plott) passed away of cardiac arrest on August 31, 2009 in Sun City, Florida.

James began his circus career in the wardrobe department of Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus in the 1960's.

In 1966, he became a member of the clown alley on Clyde Beatty Cole Bros Circus. After a successful career as a clown, he transitioned to the role of ringmaster / announcer for the same show where he remained for over 40 years. His distinctive Southern accent and booming baritone voice became synonymous with Clyde Beatty Cole Bros Circus (later Cole Bros Circus of the Stars) for decades.
Mr. Plott will be buried in Columbus, Georgia.

His long time associate, fellow clown Kenny Dodd, is in charge of arrangements that will include a celebration of Jimmy James' life to be held in the fall when circuses return to winterquarters and his many friends and associates will be able to participate.

FOR ALL THE MAGICIANS OUT THERE---

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

DANNY KING

Danny King spins floss on the boardwalk in Ocean City, Md.

Danny's Dad Freddy (Big Pig) King operated the business for

over 40 years at the same location.

Danny and His brothers now operate it.

Fred King taught brother Bill and I the concession business

back in the late 50's and early 60's.

CLEANING UP AFTER THE ITALIAN FESTIVAL (SCRANTON, PA)

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

ALLENTOWN FAIR GREAT SUCCESS (MORNING CALL)

Attractions, fair weather make Allentown Fair a success Interest in the agricultural aspect was high, with 9,000 entries in competitive exhibits

The Allentown Fair(Douglas Kilpatrick), Crowds walk the midway at the Allentown Fair on Sunday.

Jahnessa Brooks, 6, of Allentown, grasps the handlebars of a spinning amusement ride on the midway of the Allentown Fair on Monday. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call / September 7, 2009)

People ride the Vertigo at the Allentown Fair on Sunday

MORRIS' ELEPHANT ENCOUNTER AT THE ALLENTOWN FAIR

The Allentown Fair(Douglas Kilpatrick / September 6, 2009) Cindy Morris of Tampa, Fl bathes Shannon, a 27 year old African Elephant at the Elephant Encounter at the Allentown Fair on Sunday. / Sunday, September 6, 2009.

GREAT AMERICAN ACADEMY (ALLENTOWN MORNING CALL)

Carnival kids educated on the midway(APRIL BARTHOLOMEW/THE MORNING CALL / September 4, 2009) The outside of Great American Academy

Carnival kids educated on the midway(APRIL BARTHOLOMEW/THE MORNING CALL / September 4, 2009) Teacher Joan Mortiz, center places a graded paper on a pile during a typical school day of children of carnival workers that educated in a trailer classroom on the midway at the Allentown Fair. on Friday.

Carnival kids educated on the midway(APRIL BARTHOLOMEW/THE MORNING CALL / September 4, 2009) Teacher Joan Moritz, center of N.C., helps her students of various ages during a typical school day of children of carnival workers that educated in a trailer classroom on the midway at the Allentown Fair.