Cole Bros. Circus has it all under the Big Top 
By GEORGE BAILEY, QMI Agency 
The Flying Caceres, the trapeze act with the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus includes Santa Rosa trapeze artist, Erica Hause, second from left, next to George Caceres, far left, whose father, Miguel, originally created the Flying Caceres. Ringling Bros. Barnum & Baily Circus. 2010 (Photo by - Heinz Kluetmeier)
THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CIRCUS
BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS A QUITE INTERESTING LOOKAT SOCIAL LIFE IN MEXICO!
Thanks Bob!~
HERALD-TRIBUNE ARCHIVE / 2010 / THOMAS BENDER 
Tonny Petersen is a veteran stunt show driver.
Justin Bellinger, stunt show clown
Hanging out: Montreal takes its circus performances seriouslyBy Carly Wilkie Steven -- 11th August 2010
Kelly Brook is apparently an ardent fan and supermodel Helena Christensen has claimed that it’s 'like nothing I have ever tried before’.So after several days of gastronomic indulgence, the prospect of trying out the same class that keeps two such well-toned specimens of physical perfection in top form was appealing.I should have realised, however, that you don’t acquire the body of a goddess without some very earthly effort.I’m talking about Jukari. It’s the latest workout collaboration between Reebok and Cirque Du Soleil and, as I was in Montreal for the inauguration of what will become an annual circus festival - Montreal Completement Cirque – it seemed a great way of experiencing in an hour what the circus artists subject themselves to on a daily and nightly basis
Swinging: Carly tried Jukari, which helps to keep circus artistes in shape
And it’s seriously tough. Our instructor, who, it turns out, is a former Olympic-medal-winning speed skater, tells us that she has never found another fitness class that delivers such a muscular workout.Given that I wake up the next morning practically unable to get out of bed, I’d say that she’s probably right.Aching limbs aside, if you’re interested in circus - or, in fact, any form of physical theatre or modern dance - then Montreal is the place for you.It even has its own circus district - La Cité Des Arts Du Cirque – home to the Cirque Du Soleil headquarters, the National Circus School and La Tohu, one of the largest venues for circus production and performance in the world.The three organisations work together closely and all have contributed in one way or another to the creation of the new festival. 
Big business: Cirque Du Soleil now employs 4000 people worldwide
Central to the ethos that has driven this initiative - and seems to permeate every aspect of its execution - is the notion that circus can, and should, break free from traditional definitions and challenge preconceptions.Nowhere is this more evident than in ID. Performed by a young troupe called Cirque Eloize, this show incorporates ten different circus disciplines and combines them with hip-hop, break-dancing, BMX bikes and fiber-optic skipping ropes.The pace is frenetic and relentless and the super-smart set and funky soundtrack help make this, for me at least, the stand-out show of the festival.I am also able to catch Tabú by Welsh company NoFitState; Cabaret by Les 7 Doigts De La Main; and, of course, Cirque du Soleil’s own Totum.The latter, inevitably, is in a different league in terms of production value.
The Cirque operation is now - 26 years after it was founded by entertainer and stilt-walker Guy Laliberté - a multimillion dollar powerhouse that employs over 4,000 people worldwide.I am repeatedly told that it was the best investment the Quebec government has ever made.The time and effort that goes into producing a Cirque show is staggering.This year alone there are twenty different productions around the world, and each one will have been subject to a rigorous development process from initial concept through to finished, highly-polished product.Every artist will have three costumes custom-made for them - and everything is done by hand.They even have their heads moulded for the wigs and hats, and the milliners will often sew on every single hair in a full head individually.
Circus makes 10th successful appearanceWalking with lions is a fast action pack show with 11 lions and featuring a White Lion, Lufuno. Trained by Brian McMillan with his affection training methods and positive reinforcement. He is the lion whisperer. Either a girl or a man can present the show. Completely permitted for international travel. Self contained with all props and trailer.
Northwestern Michigan Fair Celebrates its 102nd Year
Posted: 8/8/2010-- Benzie, Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties have come together for the area's largest summer fair.
The 102nd Annual Northwestern Michigan Fair kicked off this weekend just south of Traverse City.
The three county fair will run through Saturday and has a schedule full of events including professional FMX freestyle motorcycle shows and Tough Trucks stunt shows.
Today's events focused on the 4-H Club as the day's schedule consisted of rabbit and goat shows with dozens of different animals on show for the public.
County fairs are known for the shows and the rides but the Northwestern Fair has a bit of a different agenda.
The carnival rides and games will officially open tomorrow evening at 5 PM.
Old-Fashioned Big Top Circus Coming
Klark Byrd
Published: Tuesday, August 10th, 2010
SIDNEY – The last day for low-priced advanced tickets to an old-fashioned big top circus on Aug. 11 is today, according to circus sponsor Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce. The circus is slated for two performances, 5 and 7:30 p.m., in Legion Park near the T-ball fields.
The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, a one-ring, big top venue, has been featured on National Geographic’s “Explorer TV” series, “Entertainment Tonight”, The Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and Arizona Highways magazine. Most recently, a Nickelodeon special on “Nick News Program” featured the circus, that has also been featured on the A&E Special: “Under the Big Top”.
Between 9:30 and 10 a.m., the circus welcomes bystanders to watch the raising of the Big Top, and will offer a free tour. Facts about performers, the history of the show and different species of animals will be discussed on the tour.
“In this presentation, we will also address topics such as hygiene, grooming and the veterinary care all of our animals receive,” the circus stated in a press release.
On circus day, performers bring the magic of the circus to life in each 90-minute show. This year’s lineup includes an all-star group of performers and entertainers. Advance tickets, offered at a lower price than same day at-gate tickets, are available at any Cheyenne County bank, The Hangar in Gurley, The Coffee Corner, The Insurance Store and the chamber office.
For more information, contact the chamber at 308-254-5851.
Reported by: Nick Natario 
Vadene Latino (left), Adina Watson, 9 (center), and her father, Santo Watson (right), take a look at the ducks in the animal display area of the Fredericksburg Fair yesterday.PHOTOS BY SUZANNE CARR ROSSI/THE FREE LANCE-STARDate published: 8/9/2010 By KELLY HANNON
Sunny skies and a new emphasis on local music, animals and children's activities drew more people to the Fredericksburg Agricultural Fair this summer than last year, said fair organizers.
As the 10-day fair drew to a close yesterday, attendance was up 25 percent overall from 2009, said Travis Bullock, general manager of the fair.
The higher turnout had a snowball effect. As people visited early in the fair's calendar, they mentioned the visit to others, increasing interest, Bullock said.
"They're going back and talking in the community and spreading the word we have new, family events," Bullock said.
Parker Bethem of Fredericksburg feeds a camel on closing day at the Fredericksburg Agricultural Fair.
Yesterday, reflecting on the past 10 days, fair President Bennie Brooks Jr. said he was proud the event showcased one of the fair's original purposes, agriculture, this summer.
"A few years ago we had three cattle in the barn, and this year we had 14 in just one show," Brooks said.
Other highlights were musical stage entertainment and Nojoe's Clown Circus. "He was packed every show," Brooks said. Organizers have already inquired about having Nojoe return next year.
A visit from Miss America Caressa Cameron, a graduate of Massaponax High School in Spotsylvania County, drew visitors, as did the new fair pageant categories and new food vendors from the community, Bullock said.
Katie DeBernard, 11, enjoys the Scrambler ride at the Fredericksburg Fair yesterday, the event's last day.
Born and raised in the circus, Darlene Williams has performed with wild animals and wild people under the Big Top since the age of four.
Elephants have always played an integral part in her life because of her father, Rex Williams, the number one elephant trainer in the country (Most famous elephant keeper and trainer by EEKMA members).He kept her busy learning about not only elephants but also lions, tigers and horses. At seven, she began training for circus aerial acts.
Her mother Ava Williams, a fourth-generation Czech aerialist, taught her Spanish web, trapeze, and wire walking. Darlene has performed with Ringling Brothers, Circus Vargas, and numerous other shows throughout the world. She continued to work in the circus until she was 20. She then came off the road to pursue a college degree and later moved on to work as a stunt woman in television, feature films, and commercials.
Besides her circus and aerial skills, she has worked with some of Hollywood's finest stunt men and directors including Tim Burton, Michael Mann, Ang Lee, Ron Howard to name a few. Darlene's love of live performing continues with her resent contributions to live shows such as Las Vegas' The Sirens Of TI, where she trained and choreographed the aerial and bull whip portions of the show. Darlene helped train the young and adult actors for the wire work stunts in the Cat in the Hat and was one of the circus advisors to Big Fish. She trained Reese Witherspoon in the upcoming Water for Elephants.
Darlene completed 67 episodes as Pamela Anderson's stunt double in VIP and has coordinated projects such as The John Henson Project (Nun Fights); LIT -music video; and episodes of The Big Moment.
She is a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and also served on the Academy's very first Stunt Peer Group Executive Committee. She is a board member of the Stuntwomen's Foundation (charity) and is one of the founding members of V10 Women Stunt Professionals an elite organization of professional stunt women.
The midway at the Ohio State Fair is filled with rides and food to enjoy. The Michigan State Fair held its final fair in 2009 due to state budget cuts.
Jennifer and Kevin Koski of Sturgis own two food concession stands at the Ohio State Fair, one of 47 states still having a statewide fair
By JARED STRONG • jstrong@dmreg.com • August 7, 2010
Kevin McGrath II stands on a ladder as he works Friday on erecting a sign on a stand at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Ryan Saviuc assists him from above. The stand, east of the Administration Building, is owned by Kevin McGrath Sr. of Fort Myers, Fla.
Nick Rainone worked on his expressions with other area residents during their audition to hit the road as clowns with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Friday. 'I can't be a cute clown, I need to be tough,' he said. 
