OABA LAUNCHES SECOND
DECADE ON BEHALF OF
CIRCUS ANIMALS
By Paul R. Ingrassia
Its hard to believe that more than ten years have passed as I and others have campaigned on behalf of the use of exotic performing animals in zoos, circuses and other exhibitions. We have won a few, and sadly, lost some. But the bottom line is that elephants, cats, simians, reptiles, bears and some hoofed exotics can still be found in many venues, giving patrons the thrills and entertainment they paid to see. This happy fact has been made possible by the spirit and generosity of the OUTDOOR AMUSEMENT BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, beginning ten years ago, when it loaned the strength of its resources and good will to circuses, petting zoos, animal exhibits, and other related events.
The organization was prompted to lend a hand by two crossover members of the OABA Board who were able to convince the mostly carnival owner board that the strength of one business could very well serve the needs of the other. Thus, Bob Commerford representing his family’s traveling petting zoos, consisting of animals rides, replicated old time parade units drawn by one of his many Shetland pony hitches and a variety of exotic animals, got involved. Joining him was Wayne McCary, President and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition, one of America’s largest and most significant fairs, the Big E, who now Chairs the OABA. McCary and Commerford, good friends and soul mates in the rights of shows to use exotic, performing animals, assembled a base of financial support from showmen, principally members of the Circus Producers Association and some key circuses. Kristin Parra, daughter of Barbara Byrd has now joined the OABA’s board, when Bob stepped down, after serving for ten years. They formed a Circus Committee and retained two former Ringling executives, attorney Joan Galvin, who is our USDA consultant and Rodney Huey, who handles public relations and writes for the OABA’s ShowTime magazine.
Fund raising now became a matter of contributions of all sizes from current and past show people: Barbara Byrd, John Cuneo, John Pugh, Kay Rosaire, Monica Welde and many others. Circus Fans in large numbers contributed money and collectibles for raffles and auctions. Literally every fan event in the country featured an OABA Performing Circus Animal Fund event. These efforts were lead, and often conducted, by David Orr of Pennsylvania, “a circus fan on Steroids” also serving on the OABA’s Circus Committee. Orr at one point garnered over five thousand pro circus animal signatures and personally presented them in Washington to a member of the United States House of Representatives. Annual conventions of fan groups often present large checks to this OABA fund. The Big E with the help of its many vendors annually contributes several thousand dollars to the fund.
I joined the effort at Bob Commerford’s request about six years ago and attempted to structure the fund raising and organize the appeal. With the help of Milwaukee circus fan Duke Shumow, we have produced a series of circus animal lapel pins and are being sold by a team of agents, which Orr recruited. Assisting in getting the message to buy pins to help the cause out to the public, I appealed to all circus theme clubs, tents and periodicals and was successful in having our message reach nearly ten thousand circus friends. The pins sold well and prompted other donations.
Our new pin this year, a Zebra, has already sold over four hundred pins in only five months. With the money we have been able to afford good legal advice, knowledgeable animal and public relations counsel, and other components required in constructing a logical public response to the extremist’s opposition.
This year brings a new component as we align ourselves with circus interests throughout the entire world, with the 2008 formation of the International circus organization, The Federation Mondiale du Cirque.
Won’t you join us in this unique and worthy cause. To contribute to the Circus Fund, make your check payable to: “OABA Circus Fund” and send to OABA at 1035 S. Semoran Blvd, Suite 1045A, Winter Park, Florida 32792.
