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



Friday, November 6, 2009

PUNKIN' CHUNKIN' STARTS TODAY! (WBOC TV NEWS)

ELEPHANT ESCAPES (AP WIRE STORY, NOV. 5TH)

Police say the 29-year-old elephant had escaped earlier that night from the Family Fun Circus at the Garfield County Fairgrounds.

ENID, Okla. (AP) — An Oklahoma couple driving home from church hit an animal — a really big one.

An elephant that escaped from a nearby circus collided with the couple's SUV Wednesday night when it ran across a rural highway in Enid, about 100 miles north of Oklahoma City.
Police say the 29-year-old elephant had escaped earlier that night from the Family Fun Circus at the Garfield County Fairgrounds. The couple weren't injured in the crash, but police say the elephant had a broken tusk and an injured leg.
Authorities say the elephant's tusk tore a hole in the SUV's sheet metal.
After the crash, the elephant was taken to a veterinary school for an exam. Dr. Dwight Olson says the elephant doesn't appear to have serious injuries.

ASSORTED CIRCUS PICS

KAY BURNS CIRCUS, 1948

BAILEY BROS CIRCUS 1948

ROGERS BROS CIRCUS 1952

ORLANDO







SIDE SHOW BANNERS





























Thursday, November 5, 2009

Fairgoers walk past one of the the sideshows on Nov. 6, 2008, at the North Florida Fair in Tallahassee. (PHIL SEARS/Democrat)
November 5, 2009
Flying dogs, racing pigs featured at fair
By Jennifer Portman, DEMOCRAT senior WRITER
Corn dogs, pig races, stomach-churning carnival rides — must be fair time!
The 68th edition of the North Florida Fair kicks off its annual 11-day run today.
The Giant Wheel towering over South Monroe Street starts turning at 5 p.m., when the gates open on the usual collection of agricultural exhibits, commercial interests, rides, games, fried food and other curiosities.
Of special interest this year is a portrait display of the 233 Floridians who have died serving the nation in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"It is a tribute to our fallen soldiers," said fair manager Mark Harvey.
New this year on the fair's family-oriented entertainment line up is the K9 Kings Flying Dog Show, a group of acrobatic American Indian Dogs featured on Animal Planet.
Also, returning after three years is the popular Wild World of Animals show, featuring a variety of rare animals.
Those acts join the crowd-pleasing Show me Swine Racers.
"People love those pigs," Harvey said. "They hustle around the track for an Oreo."
The Orlando-based Strates Shows is also back for a second year on the Midway with carnival games and more than 65 rides — all brought to Tallahassee on a 61-car train.
"We've got more rides this year than we've ever had," Harvey said.
Additional Facts if you go
What: The North Florida Fair
Where: Fairgrounds, 441 Paul Russell Road.
When: Today through Nov. 15. Gates open tonight at 5 p.m.
Gate admission: $7 for adults; $4 youths 6-12; free for kids 5 and younger. (Ride tickets cost additional)
Fair information line: (850) 671-8400.
Check Friday's Limelight in the Tallahassee Democrat for more on this year's fair.

ALBANY, GA EXCHANGE CLUB FAIR

This if the first year the club has kept the fair open the entire weekend.
By Jana BarnelloSunday, November 01, 2009 at 3:51 p.m.
The Exchange Club Fair of Southwest Georgia wrapped up Sunday.
Families and friends took their last minute rides, ate their last minute cotton candy, and bought some last minute memorabilia.
Around 90,000 people usually attend the fair, but organizers say the rainy weather has kept attendance lower than usual.
This is the 62nd annual Exchange Club Fair in Albany and the first time they’ve kept it open on a Sunday.

BOBBY COX AT THE TLAXCALA STATE FAIR (MEXICO) #1

Dick... The Tlaxcala State Fair opened Fridy, October 30th and will run till November15th. I went through for a quick look...I'll try to go again this week for a few more photos. Bob















BOBBY COX AT THE TLAXCALA STATE FAIR (MEXICO) #2
















NORTHEAST MAGAZINE COVER


BILLER BROS CIRCUS--LATE 40'S







GIRL SHOWS ON THE ROYAL AMERICAN SHOWS

lOOKS TO BE ABOUT 1950 OR THERE ABOUT.



MILLS BROS CIRCUS--1948 & 1955






















Tuesday, November 3, 2009

ELEPHANTS

INTERNATIONAL ALL STAR CIRCUS--2009





SPOOK SHOW PREVIEW

SPOOK SHOWS


Spook showsFrom MagicPedia
Spook shows were live magic shows, most notably around Halloween time, during the 1930's through 1960's that would play movie houses in small towns.
Most used old live theater special effects and various magic techniques that provided an eerie experience for those who attended.
Also calling themselves "Midnight Horror Shows" when blood and more gory effects were used on stage to keep up with those who needed more shocking images to be scared.






When I was a kid Spook Shows were a special treat a couple of times
of the year.
I remember the Old Wicomico Theatre, in Salisbury, standing in a huge line
waiting to buy a ticket.
In later years when I worked with Phil Chandler He talked a lot
about the subject as He worked for one show out of Ohio.
I also remember when they used to play the Old Delmar Drive-In in
Delmar, DE.
I never went to one there but was told they performed the show on the
roof of the snack bar!



Monday, November 2, 2009


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