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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SAVE THE DATES



Saturday, May 15, 2010

DEALWARE STATE FAIR 2010 TALENT LINE-UP







CIRCUS VARGAS OFFERS SPECIAL FOR FAMILIES

Jon Weiss, center, the host of the Circus Vargas, teaches kids a circus act, how to spin a plate, during Circus Vargas, at the La Puente Hills Mall in Hacienda Heights, Friday, May 14, 2010. (Correspondent Photo by James Carbone)sgvtribune.com

Circus Vargas has special offer for families attending Saturday's 1:30 or 4:30 p.m. shows at the Puente Hills Mall

Posted: 05/14/2010

Adults attending either of those performances will receive one free children's general admission ticket with the purchase of one adult general admission ticket (limit of two free tickets per family).
Circus Vargas is making the Family Day special offer to help introduce its all-new 2010 production, which will be at the Puente Hills Mall through May 24.
Look for the blue and gold tent at the mall, located off the Azusa Avenue exit from the 60 Freeway.
Tickets are on sale by phone at 877-468-3861, online at http://www.circusvargas.org/, and at the circus box office.
Other showtimes are 7:30 Saturday night, 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, 7 p.m. Monday, and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Showtimes are 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. May 22 and May 23. The May 24 finale starts at 7 p.m.

CARSON & BARNES IN BROOKSVILLE TODAY!

The circus is coming this weekend
By HERNANDO TODAY STAFF
Published: May 14, 2010

BROOKSVILLE - Tomorrow, the 74th edition of the Carson & Barnes Circus will raise its big top at the Hernando County Fairgrounds and present two days of fun, exotic animals, clowns and thrills. The two-day event is a fundraiser for the Kiwanis and helps to support many of its local community projects.
The public is invited between 8 and 10 a.m. tomorrow for morning setup as humans, elephants and technology work side-by-side to erect America's largest circus big top. There is no charge to watch the morning setup.
Advance general admission tickets will be available at special discount prices for adults and children ages 2 to 11 Friday, before the circus arrives at Chick-fil-A, Beef O'Brady's Ridge Manor, Up 4 Breakfast, Sweetbay Supermarkets, Superior Bank Branches, Candlelite Fitness Center, Marucci's Furniture and Hernando Today.
Tickets can also be purchased online for full price at www.carsonbarnescircus.com. All tickets can be upgraded to preferred seating for an additional charge online or at the box office.

TUFFY NICHOLAS ALL STAR CIRCUS OPENS TONIGHT


All-Star circus performs tonight at UOGPacific

Daily News • May 14, 2010

The International All-Star Circus will perform at the University of Guam this weekend, begining with a 5:30 p.m. show tonight.
Sixteen acts will be featured – from skip rope and balance to magic, rolla bolla, quick-change, wheel of death, tricks and stunts, clowns and a crossbow act – and there will be 12 two-hour shows in Guam and Saipan.
The shows will be at the UOG fieldhouse and Marianas High School, respectively.
“This is a modern circus at its best,” said Cornel “Tuffy” Nicholas, owner, producer and ringmaster, who has lived his entire life in the circus.
His father was a ringmaster with Ringling Brothers for 27 years, and his mother, also with Ringling, was a polar bear trainer.
Featured will be professionals from Russia, Germany, the U.S., Chile, Venezuela, Moldavia, Ukraine, and the Republic Kazakhstan, including members of the famous Flying Wallenda family.
There will be pre-show activities and clown face painting during the intermission.

Friday, May 14, 2010

THE SHOW GOES ON!



Circus show will go on, despite calls for cancellation

By Charles Schillinger (Staff Writer)

Published: May 13, 2010
Local animal rights activists are petitioning to have a circus performance at PNC Field canceled after handlers lost control of an elephant two weeks ago in Virginia.
However, SBW Yankees LLC, which manages the stadium operations, said Wednesday the show will go on.

The "Circus of the Stars" show is performed by the DeLand, Fla.-based Cole Bros. Circus and will run May 21-23.
Cole Bros. performed at PNC Field last year without incident, said Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre team President Kristin Rose.
"There were a lot of families out there that enjoyed it, and lots of happy kids," she said.
During a performance on April 27 in Lynchburg, a Cole Bros. elephant, Viola, was scared by a rabbit and ran off, about 200 yards away from the circus area.
Renee Storey, vice president of administration for Cole Bros. Circus, said officials aren't sure what happened.
"I was not there. I think Viola just wanted to go check something out," Ms. Storey said. "There was never danger to the public, to the circus people or to the elephant."
Animal rights activists say the elephant was injured during a fall in Lynchburg, but Ms. Storey said Viola suffered only a broken toenail.
"Animal activists have been known to make complaints and that's OK, that's their right," Ms. Storey said.
"Generally, they make complaints and it gets us publicity. We try to look on the bright side."
While no one was injured in the Lynchburg incident, animal rights activist Lisa Walker of Clarks Summit said people have been hurt in other elephant incidents.
Ms. Walker pointed to an unrelated incident in Wilkes-Barre on April 9, in which a startled elephant named Dumbo kicked and killed its groomer, 48-year-old An- drew Anderton of Florida, prior to an Irem Shrine Circus show.
Ms. Walker said the group has no problem with human circus performers, but objects to the use of animals, which can be unpredictable and also have the potential to hurt people.
Animal rights activist Silvie Pomicter of South Abington Twp. said she was particularly concerned if the Cole Bros. elephant, Viola, would be giving rides to children at the local show.
"If an elephant is going to be scared by a rabbit, why should parents be putting their children on top of an elephant?" asked Ms. Pomicter, president of Voice of the Animals, a regional animal rights and welfare group.
Ms. Rose said SWB Yankees LLC would not be placing requirements on what the circus could and could not do during its performance.
"The actual things that go on with the circus, we leave up to the professionals who run the circus," she said.
Ms. Storey said the elephants are "in general very, very calm," adding that Cole Bros. would be offering elephant rides to the public. She encouraged anyone to come out, free of charge, to Moosic from 6 to 11 a.m. on Friday, May 21, when Cole Bros. will be raising its tent, to see how the animals are treated.
Contact the writer: cschillinger @timesshamrock.com

CARSON & BARNES CIRCUS IN BROOKSVILLE. FL



Kiwanis Club brings Carson & Barnes Circus to Brooksville this weekend

By Beth N. Gray, Times Correspondent

Friday, May 14, 2010
BROOKSVILLE — The big top is coming to town, and big it is — nearly a city-block long, its peak rising some 50 feet.
There are 2,200 seats from which visitors can watch with unobstructed views some 100 performing animals, both exotic and domestic, and human performers in the air and on the tanbark.
The Kiwanis Club of the Nature Coast is bringing Carson & Barnes Circus, one of the largest tented traveling attractions of its kind in the United States, to the Hernando County Fairgrounds for shows at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
"This is going to be our primary fundraiser," Kiwanis spokeswoman Patricia Herrmann said. "It's good family fun."
When the Spring Hill Kiwanis Club booked this circus two years ago, Herrmann said, "We saw it, and it was amazing."
Featured will be acrobats, trapeze and high-wire artists, contortionists, jugglers, clowns, motorcycle actors, performing elephants, big cats, camels, horses, prancing ponies and dogs.
"We are proud of our large and varied educational exhibit of over two dozen types of … animals," the circus' website states. "Open as a zoo on circus morning, it's free to everyone who wants to watch the animals arrive, be watered, fed and cared for."
Herrmann said the free opportunity, from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, will include the sight of elephants raising the big top.
Food concessions will be available with no item priced more than $3. Fliers distributed throughout the county and to schoolchildren include discount coupons for treats.
Carson & Barnes, founded in 1937 in Kansas, is a family-owned and operated enterprise. It winters in Hugo, Okla., and first came to Florida two years ago. Appearances are scheduled from Brooksville to Tallahassee.
The circus, which relies on local sponsorships, helped civic and social clubs raise more than $500,000 last year, according to media representative Mal Knopf.
From advance ticket sales, the Kiwanians will receive about 25 percent of gate admissions, Herrmann said. On the other hand, the club's share of day-of-show sales is minimal, she added.
A dozen advance ticket outlets are listed on the club's website, kiwanisnaturecoast.org.
The Nature Coast Kiwanians organized last July with 25 members and has grown to 37. Its mission, along with the rest of Kiwanis, is to raise money for children's charities.
So far, the Nature Coast club has made small donations to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hernando County and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Yet to be distributed, Herrmann said, is about $2,200 raised at a music festival in March.
Herrmann noted that in lieu of paying rent for the circus staging site, all of the club members turned out recently to do maintenance work at the fairgrounds

NEW LEWIS & CLARK DATE--




Circus is coming to town next week


By Carol Vaughn • May 13, 2010
ONANCOCK — The circus is coming to town on Monday and Tuesday, after several years went by without the traditional form of traveling live entertainment making a stop on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

The Lewis and Clark Circus — a one-ring, European-style circus featuring traditional acts such as trapeze artists, acrobats, clowns and animal acts with tigers, camels, horses and llamas— will set up its big yellow-and-red-striped tent at the old Onancock School property on College Avenue.
It will be this circus’ first trip to the Eastern Shore. The South Carolina-based circus, which dates to the 1960s, travels as far north as Pennsylvania and across into Ohio each season.
The circus will offer shows on Monday and Tuesday. There will be a 7 p.m. performance Monday and two shows on Tuesday, at 5 and 7:30 p.m.
The circus’ 100-by-70 foot big top seats 900. Lewis and Clark Circus also features a midway with a petting zoo, face-painting and a giant slide. Camel and pony rides will be offered for an additional fee. These attractions open one hour prior to showtime.
The Lewis and Clark Circus bills itself as bringing to audiences “five generations of experienced family-oriented fun” — with performers like Armando the juggler, the Ayala family, trapeze artist Miss Elizabeth and a clown named Jose Jose.
“It’s a good, family-type show,” said spokesman Albert Buchanan.
Tickets can be purchased up to 24 hours prior to the first show day on the circus’ website, http://www.lewisandclarkcircus.com/.
Free childrens’ tickets coupons are being distributed in locations throughout the area or can be printed out from the website.
Adult tickets are $10 plus a service fee if purchased in advance online, or $15 at the gate. Students 15-16 are $8 and chidren 14 and younger are free with the coupon and an accompanying adult or $5 without a coupon.

CIRQUE ESTIVAL---THE STORY


With more than 40 years of experience in the field of artistic and sportive touring, Sylvie Gladu, Marc Verreault, and Louis Leonard introduces Cirque Estival. With more Than 40 Years of experience in the field of artistic and sport touring, Sylvie Gladu, Marc Verreault, Louis Leonard and launch of new Cirque Estival.
Cirque Estival is a Quebecois enterprise, founded in 2004 in Montreal, that will this year celebrate its 7th year of existence. Cirque Estival Is a Quebecois company, Founded in 2004 in Montreal, this year That Will Celebrate ITS 7th year of existence. The sustainability over time, as well as the great success that reaches Cirque Estival each year, is the result of important contributions from the three producers. The sustainability over time, as well as "the great success That Reaches Cirque Estival EACH year, Is The result of significant contributions from The Three Producers.
For the pleasure of the young and the old, Cirque Estival performs each year in many regions of Eastern Canada. For the pleasure of the young and the old, Cirque Estival Performs EACH year in Many Regions of Eastern Canada. Cirque Estival has proudly visited the grounds of Quebec, Ontario, New-Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. Cirque Estival Has proudly visited the Grounds of Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador & Prince Edward Island.
In order to introduce a new, and every year a more exceptional show, the producers of Cirque Estival never hesitate to invest in material of better performance, and will always offer the spectator a series of breathtaking acts. In order to Introduce a new, and Every year has more Exceptional show, The Producers of Cirque Estival Never Hesitate to Invest in Better performance of material, and Will Always offer the spectator a series of breathtaking acts.
It's a regional event not to miss! It's a regional event not to miss!

CIRQUE ESTIVAL ELEPHANT



CIRQUE ESTIVAL, CANADIAN CIRCUS











FROM CANADA---


13/05/10
Controversial circus featuring animals coming to Springdale


BY BILLY CANNING The Nor'wester
A controversial circus is coming to town.
Cirque Estival, a Quebec-based circus featuring animals has been on the radar of animal activists through out the province since their touring schedule was released. The activists have been requesting town councils to ban the circus.
One of those activists is Carol Baird, shelter manager of the Exploits Valley SPCA.
In February, Ms. Baird, Exploits Valley SPCA president Sheila Baird and member Scott Keats presented their case to Grand Falls-Windsor town council why they should ban the circus.
Following the presentation, council decided not to grant a licence for Cirque Estival to operate in the town this year.
While that crusade worked out, 14 communities in the province are permitting the show to go ahead, including Springdale.
"The main issues are the training of animals, the travel schedule, transportation and the total confinement of the animals," she said. "Once they're captured it's the end of their free life.
"We're not saying the circus mistreats their animals, or they don't water and feed them, but even if they give them five meals a day, our issues still stand."
She said the training practices have to be aggressive because they are wild animals.
"Those animals right away have to fear their handler, if not, they kill them," she said. "The handler has to have control."
Training practices are not the only issue Ms. Baird has with the circus.
She said the long travelling schedule and constant confinement of the animals is inhumane.
"They're constantly chained (and) constantly in containers," she said. "You put any animal in a cage for a long time - it's cruel."
Ms. Baird has been working in the field for a long time, and said animals that are confined or chained on for long periods of time develop behavioural problems. Such problems have been reported in media in the past when circus animals attack their trainers, which is a public safety risk.
She said it's unfair that animals are taken from their natural habitat and species at such a young age for entertainment purposes.
Clarenville, St. John's and Mount Pearl have banned circuses with live animals. Marystown recently passed a bylaw banning the use of animals for human entertainment. However, the circus will make its last appearance in that town this year, unless it stops using animals.
Louise Leonard, owner of Cirque Estival, told Transcontinental Media that he runs a legal business and doesn't like the allegations.
"I am being treated badly as if I'm not a good person. I have never been accused of ill-treatment to animals and I've never been in a court of law regarding the ill-treatment of animals," he told Transcontinental Media.
"We don't go around beating our animals. Perhaps in the past somebody had a bad experience in (Newfoundland), but I don't feel that I should have to pay for all the harm done to society or animals in the world," he said. "I invite people to come and see how we treat our animals. What I say to people is make up your mind, but look at both sides of the coin."
And people will have that opportunity when the show comes to town June 21 at the Springdale Stadium.
Ms. Baird said the only way to put an end to the show, is for all levels of government to step up to the plate and pass legislation that would stop animals from being used in circuses, and for people to end the demand.
"Nothing they do on the stage is natural, it's all forced," she said.
Springdale Mayor Harvey Tizzard could not be reached for an interview.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

PICCADILLY CIRCUS DATE


Piccadilly Circus Saturday, May 22 1:30p at Show Place Arena, Upper Marlboro, MD

Piccadilly Circus Is Coming To Upper Marlboro, MD Agile acrobats! Galloping horses! Comedic circus clowns! This is one show you don’t want to miss!
05/22/2010 Show Place Arena 14900 Pennsylvania Ave. Show Times: 1:30pm, 4:30pm & 7:30pm
Join the fun and excitement at Piccadilly Circus. It’s a show for all ages! FOR MORE INFO & TICKETS GO TO http://www.thefuncircus.com/

CARSON & BARNES CIRCUS SET-UP 2010 PART 1

A worker with the Carson and Barnes Circus climbs up a seam in the big-top tent as he laces the edges together. The circus was setting up in Russellville where it was is town to raise money for the foster grandparent program. The circus will be in Florence on Thursday and Friday at Cross Point Church where it will be to help benefit the Lauderdale County Children's Policy Council.
Workers with the Carson and Barnes Circus stretch out a section as they assemble the big-top tent. The circus was setting up in Russellville where it was is town to raise money for the foster grandparent program. The circus will be in Florence on Thursday and Friday at Cross Point Church where it will be to help benefit the Lauderdale County Children's Policy Council.

Workers move a section of the Carson and Barnes Circus big-top tent as they set it up. The circus was setting up in Russellville where it was is town to raise money for the foster grandparent program. The circus will be in Florence on Thursday and Friday at Cross Point Church where it will be to help benefit the Lauderdale County Children's Policy Council.


These pictures are from THE DAILY TIMES and were taken
just recently in Russellville, Alabama



Students from Russellville Elementary School watch as the big-top tent is erected for the Carsona and Barnes Circus. The circus was setting up in Russellville where it was is town to raise money for the foster grandparent program. The circus will be in Florence on Thursday and Friday at Cross Point Church where it will be to help benefit the Lauderdale County Children's Policy Council.





CARSON & BARNES SET-UP 2010 PART 2

Workers pull on guide lines as they unfurls the Carson and Barnes big-top. The circus was setting up in Russellville where it was is town to raise money for the foster grandparent program. The circus will be in Florence on Thursday and Friday at Cross Point Church where it will be to help benefit the Lauderdale County Children's Policy Council.


Workers pull on a corner guide line as they begin to unfurl the sides of the Carson and Barnes big-top. The circus was setting up in Russellville where it was is town to raise money for the foster grandparent program. The circus will be in Florence on Thursday and Friday at Cross Point Church where it will be to help benefit the Lauderdale County Children's Policy Council.


The Carson and Barnes big-top is raised out of a trailer bed as it goes up. . The circus was setting up in Russellville where it was is town to raise money for the foster grandparent program. The circus will be in Florence on Thursday and Friday at Cross Point Church where it will be to help benefit the Lauderdale County Children's Policy Council.



An elephant at the Carson and Barnes Circus throws dirt onto its back as it takes a dirt bath after unloading from it's trailer. The circus was setting up in Russellville where it was is town to raise money for the foster grandparent program. The circus will be in Florence on Thursday and Friday at Cross Point Church where it will be to help benefit the Lauderdale County Children's Policy Council.




Workers set up an awning that will shelter animals for the Carson and Barnes Circus. The circus was setting up in Russellville where it was is town to raise money for the foster grandparent program. The circus will be in Florence on Thursday and Friday at Cross Point Church where it will be to help benefit the Lauderdale County Children's Policy Council.






WHAT IS IT?


Le Grand Cirque at Tropicana
What Is It: The cast of Le Grand Cirque is international, and so is the show's approach and appeal. This high-flying circus plays through June 16 at Tropicana Casino and Resort

KENNETH FELD "MAYOR OF THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH"

RINGLING GOLD UNIT IN TEXAS

ILLUSCINATION
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 19; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 20; 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 21; 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 22 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 23.WHERE: State Farm Arena, 2600 N. State Highway, HidalgoCOST: $15 to $30
Dean Kelley saw his first Ringling Brother’s circus when he was 4 years old.
It changed his life.
“Every year since I was 4 years old, I haven’t missed a Ringling Bros. circus yet, and I’m almost 30,” Kelley said during a recent phone interview. “I’ve been going for a long time.”
He also joined the circus as a clown, and now you have the chance to join him. Kelley studied and trained most of his life to join Ringling Brothers, all you have to do is buy a ticket and show up an hour early.
Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey’s latest show, Illuscination, arrives in the Rio Grande Valley’s State Farm Arena on May 19 and stays through May 23. Every ticket grants the holder a chance to join the circus, if only for a little bit.
Attendees who arrive early can walk down to the arena floor, meet the performers and take pictures with the animals. They can also try on costumes and learn tricks from performers such as Kelley, who hosts the pre show.
Afterward, the audience can take a seat and enjoy the show by the professionals. Illuscination features the work of David DaVinci, an ace illusionist who performs some truly thrilling maneuvers, sometimes simultaneously involving fire and lions.
“Come there and be prepared to have a good time,” Kelley said. “They don’t call it the greatest show on earth for nothing.”

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

BROOKLAWN, MA. CARNIVAL

Annual Brooklawn Park carnival begins Thursday night

By EILEEN MARUM
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
May 12, 2010 12:00 AM

NEW BEDFORD — For a trip back in time, the 23rd annual Carnival at Brooklawn Park features a family-oriented festival, loaded with competitions, rides, tasty food and just plain all-around fun.
The fair, sponsored by the North End Business Association, kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday and runs through Sunday. Admission to the festival is free; there is a charge for rides.
"There will be 16 rides at the park, ranging from the merry-go-round to the Zipper," said Linda Morad, Ward 1 city councilor and executive director of the North End Business Association. "We have go-carts, train rides, flying swings, small roller coaster and more."
Along with the rides, there will be a variety of concessions and games, including basketball, water guns, frog attack, ring toss and duck races.
"Seems like everyone is walking around the park with some stuffed animal or game prize," Morad said.
The cuisine is carnival food: cotton candy, candy apples, snow cones, fried dough, pizza, hot dogs and hamburgers.
The carnival serves a two-fold purpose, Morad said: It provides family fun while stimulating fond childhood memories for adults, and the revenue keeps membership fees for North End businesses affordable.
"We also utilize these monies to support various charitable organizations in our area, the schools, church fundraising projects, summer concerts in the park and various other holiday events throughout the North End," Morad said.
Prices will be the same as the previous three years. Wrist bands, which will be sold for the carnival Thursday from 6-10 p.m. and again Sunday from 1-5 p.m., will cost $20, allowing children to ride all of the rides as often as they wish as opposed to purchasing an individual ticket for each ride.
Tickets, other than wrist bands, cost $1 each, a strip of 10 tickets is $9, or a sheet of 30 tickets is $25. Most rides require three or four tickets.
Hours are Thursday and Friday, 6-10 p.m., Saturday, noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday, 1-8 p.m.

COLE BROS CIRCUS OF THE STARS---NEWS


Neighbor News (Denville Edition)

The Kiwanis Club of Denville, NJ is sponsoring a fundraiser with the Cole Brothers Circus during Memorial Day weekend. Shows will be performed on Friday, May 28, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 29, 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. All will be held at the County College of Morris in Randolph.
Purchase tickets in advance at Sweet Expressions in Denville, Heritage Community Bank on Route 53 in Denville, Heritage Community Bank on Route 10 in Randolph and Heritage Community Bank on Sussex Turnpike in Randolph.
The Denville Kiwanis Club sponsors K-Kids Clubs in Riverview and Lakeview, a Builders Club at Valleyview and Key Clubs at Morris Knolls, Morris Hills, Morris Catholic and Morris County Vo-Tech.

The funds raised from the circus sponsorship provide scholarships and are also used for local community service projects.

ROBERTS BROS CIRCUS PART 1










CULPEPPER & MERRIWEATHER CIRCUS NEWS



Hickman to host first circus in 114 years

By ALGIS J. LAUKAITIS / Lincoln Journal Star Posted: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 7:00 am

An old-fashioned circus, with a Big Top tent and a menagerie of animals, will stop in Hickman for two shows Saturday afternoon.
The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus will perform in an open area in the Woodland Plaza Development on the north edge of town just off 68th Street.
But the fun starts Saturday morning.
Circus fans can watch crews raise the giant blue and white striped tent between 9:30 and 10 a.m. and stay for a free walking tour of the grounds.
The 9,600-square-foot tent weighs 3,600 pounds and stands 30 feet tall at its highest. The canvas giant perches on two center poles and is supported by 32 side poles and 16 quarter poles. The whole thing is held down by 100 stakes, pounded in by Paul Bunyan-sized sledge hammers.
Started in 1985, the one-ring Culpepper & Merriweather Circus has been featured on National Geographic's Explorer TV series and other shows.
According to its website, the Hugo, Okla.-based circus travels about 15,000 miles each year from March to October, performing more than 200 shows in 18 states.
It's coming to Hickman to raise money for the Hickman Area Community Foundation, said Doug Hanson, a member of the foundation and the City Council.
Hanson said the circus contacted the foundation about four months ago and told them it had an open day in May.
Hanson said his first reaction was: Why would we want to do this?
But after talking it over with other foundation members, they thought it was a great idea.
"There has not been a circus in town for a long, long, time," he said.
Linda Bryant, foundation president and publisher of the Hickman Voice News, said it's been 114 years, according to her research.
People who go to the Culpepper & Merriweather show will see performing camels, high-wire and trapeze acts, clowns -- including one who plays a bagpipe on a unicycle -- a dog and pony revue, and other acts up close.
Hanson said the foundation will receive a portion of ticket sales to go toward building an aquatics center and beautification projects.
"People are really excited that the community foundation can bring entertainment to a town like this, especially a circus," Bryant said. "You don't see elephants and tigers in Hickman every day."
Reach Algis J. Laukaitis at 402-473-7243 or alaukaitis@journalstar.com.

RINGLING IN COLUMBUS, OHIO


Colombus, Ohio---May 11th---nbc4

The Greatest Show on Earth's 53-car train arrives Tuesday, and the animals make the walk from Goodale Boulevard to Nationwide Arena.

NEWS FROM CIRCUS VIDBEL---




Don't forget--click on each image to enlarge and read!





Newton: Circus Vidbel "The Original Olde Tyme Circus Under The Big Top"
Showtimes: 2:00 pm, 4:30 pm, and 7:00 pm. Will be held at Sussex County Community College Rt 519 (Lower Soccer Field)
Tickets can be purchased at: Boonton Tire and Auto Repair in Newton Cheddar Alley on Spring Street in Newton Hayek’s Market on the corner of Mill street and 206 in Newton Town and Country Deli and Grill on Newton Sparta Rd Newton Chatterbox Drive-In in Augusta NJ
Phone: 201-317-1708 or 973-222-1476 for additional information
sponsored by the Newton Fire Dept and Ladies Auxiliary












BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY

From www.chroniclejournal.comThunder Bay, Canada
Letters to the Editor
This isn‘t the Shrine Circus I used to attendTuesday, May 11, 2010

Just taking my 2 1/2-year-old to the Shrine Circus for the first time I could not believe how disappointed I was. I felt the whole time there that this is definitely not the same as when I was younger.
I understand change and I know how it is for fundraising, but if the Shrine Circus wants to keep this as an annual circus I really feel they need to look at their performance, because truthfully they are really not child-oriented.
My child, who has probably one of the best attention spans any two-year-old could possibly have, was having a hard time watching the show.
Children want animals and exciting entertainment.
Don‘t get me wrong, the performances were OK, but not child-oriented.
And is that not who draws the most fundraising?
As a parent I will not be returning to the circus unless it gets a huge overhaul. Hearing other people‘s children crying to go home, not crying to stay, broke my heart.
And the 33-minute intermission I feel was not called for at all. It dragged on and on. And it astonished me how many people were leaving, and there were not as many people there as I remember in the years I was there. I don‘t know what they can do about this whole animal thing, but that‘s what kids want to see. I am scared to say if the circus keeps up like this, it will stop being an annual event. Jennifer De Franceschi Thunder Bay
• Re: Don‘t Support Animal Cruelty, Letter May 8
I attended this past week‘s Shrine Circus, so I thought I would let you know that there were no wild animals used during the circus.
There were only dogs and horses – both of which have been domesticated by man for centuries. All the dogs and horses were praised and patted throughout the performances, and I didn‘t get a sense that they were treated cruelly in any way.
The performers put on a great show, and there were only three acts in which animals were even used.
Cheryl Danielson Thunder Bay

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

FROM DAVID P ORR---THIS MORNING

David Orr commented on your wall post:
"Didn't know Roberts Bros. had and arena cat act....remember Connie Dam and Dick Stuart with their cats....But, never and arena act on the show....Learn something new everyday thanks to circus blogs..."
"Dick Dykes Rocks! Have a Center Ring Birthday..........."


From my Facebook Page


THANK YOU MR ORR!


I remenber when Connie and Helga had their leashed

cat act. In fact it was the last one they (Roberts Bros.) ever had,

due to an accident and insurance costs.

As for my Birthday I'd just as soon forget it!

But I appreciate your thinking of Me!

Dick

COLE BROS CIRCUS OF THE STARS ANNAPOLIS, MD

Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars
Date:Wednesday, May 12, 2010 - Thursday, May 13, 2010
Description: features white tigers, elephants, flying trapeze, the "Globe of Death," zebras, camels, clowns, dogs, llamas, ponies, ariel ballet, freestyle motor show, incredible one-finger stand, the "Human Cannonball," and more. Location:Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds1450 Generals HighwayCrownsville

ROBERTS BROS CIRCUS--YEAR? PART 2

I'm not sure the year these pics were taken.
It would be great if you know or could identify
some of these pictures.
Please leave a comment!
I jst enlarged this picture.
And guess what I discovered.
This isn't Roberts Bros. It's Toby Tyler!
But rest assured the rest of these ARE Roberts Bros.












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