TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT!

IN SARASOTA!

John & Mary Ruth wish I could be there!

"GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS"

NASCAR COMES TO DOVER!

Well it's that time of the year when I don't bother to  drive  up to North Dover!

And I'm not by myself either!

"Gibtown"

Uploaded by PretzelStickstudio on May 23, 2011

The small town of Gibsonton on Florida's west coast has been a winter home to a host of carnival acts and unique individuals

 

SUMMER CIRCUS SPECTACULAR! 6/19/12 To 7/28/12 
Escape the summer heat with the family as you enjoy this jaw dropping fun-filled Summer Circus Spectacular! 
Tuesday-Friday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. (no performances on July 4)
For six fun-filled weeks in June and July, the entire spectrum of the Ringling legacy is on full display when the curtain goes up on the annual Summer Circus Spectacular at the Historic Asolo Theater. Presented each year in collaboration with Circus Sarasota, the Summer Circus Spectacular provides delightful—and affordable—summer entertainment for “children of all ages.” 
Serving as Master of Ceremonies for 2012 will be the Emmy-Award winning, forty-year circus veteran, Steve Smith. Steve’s good humor and quick wit will be matched by the Chaplinesque clowning of the irrepressible Renaldo.
Once again—soaring high overhead—will be the magnificent Queen of the Air, Dolly Jacobs. Back on earth and at center stage, will be the magically mesmerizing and award-winning contortionist, Princess Elayne. And rounding out the show, the astonishing Poema family will dazzle and delight the audience with their risky acts of Risley—also known as “foot juggling.”
At press time, our impresario Pedro Reis was securing the talents of yet another great circus act, but the identity of that exciting addition to the show will have to come in a later communication. In the meantime, plan now to join us for an hour of affordable family fun at the Ringling Museum.

(THIS IS THE STORY THAT GOES WITH THE ABOVE CLIP
THESE LITTLE GUYS LOOKI LIKE THEY'RE ENJOYING THE ACT
TO ME!!!)

North Korea’s got talent

Animals made to skate in secretive state

from: thesun.co.uk

Exclusive

By ALEX PEAKE

Last Updated: 31st May 2012

THIS is the sickest show on earth — a North Korean circus where rollerskating animals in gaudy costumes are forced to perform up to three times a day.

The Sun’s shocking pictures expose the despotic regime’s everyday cruelty that will outrage animal lovers.

Glum muzzled bears are put through humiliating routines walking on two legs or on skates for an audience of mostly soldiers.

Baboons wearing co-ordinating outfits perform faultless slam-dunks in strictly choreographed basketball games.

Secretly filmed during our week-long stay in the Communist state, the show highlighted the brutal mindset of the ruling classes.

The audience clapped in unison as two brown bears, one dressed in blue lederhosen and the other in a yellow dress, took to the ring with their trainers.

The grey-haired baboons followed on rollerskates, dressed in red and blue jumpsuits.

IF YOU LIKE READ MORE AT:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4347636/North-Koreas-got-talent.html

Roller Coaster Enthusiasts Ride For a Cause 
Cedar Fair Entertainment Company Hosts Fourth Annual Coasting For Kids Marathon Fundraiser to Benefit Give Kids The World


 

KISSIMMEE, FLA. (PRWEB)
May 31, 2012 
Roller coaster enthusiasts will have a chance to ride coasters for charity again this year at the Fourth Annual Coasting For Kids event held Sunday, June 10 at 11 Cedar Fair Entertainment Company amusement parks across North America. This marathon roller coaster event will help raise funds for Give Kids The World Village (GKTW), a Central Florida non-profit “storybook” resort that provides cost-free, weeklong vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. 
More than 350 amusement park roller coaster fans have signed up to participate in the event, which offers complimentary admission to any Cedar Fair theme park in exchange for a $25 registration fee and a minimum fundraising donation of $75. Participants will also receive a limited edition 2012 Coasting For Kids t-shirt and VIP access to each park’s signature thrill ride. Featured rides include the legendary Magnum XL-200 and Gemini roller coasters at Cedar Point, Jaguar at Knott’s Berry Farm, Steel Force at Dorney Park, Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion and many more. Each park will also offer additional event perks unique to their location. Both the registration fee and the raised donations from the riders will help GKTW continue its 26-year mission of providing magical memories to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Riders are encouraged to reach out to their families, friends and communities to support them in this fundraising effort for GKTW.
“Families, particularly children, are the driving force behind all of Cedar Fair’s parks,” said Annie Zelm, spokeswoman for Cedar Point, Cedar Fair’s flagship park. “Our rides and attractions give them a rare opportunity to escape the stresses of everyday life, and our partnership with Give Kids The World Village helps make that possible for families who need a day of fun more than ever. We are proud of our parks’ combined efforts to raise funds so these deserving families can look forward to a vacation they’ll treasure for years.”

 

Years of a clown: The British circus performer still wowing Las Vegas aged EIGHTY
He still performs 10 physically demanding shows a week for Cirque du Soleil - though he has stopped walking the tightrope




By Paul Cockerton 
from: mirror.co.uk
2 Jun 2012 
Brian Dewhurst spent his birthday this week throwing popcorn at men and begging young women for kisses.
 Not that unusual for a birthday, you might think, except it was all part of his job as a circus clown and the milestone he was celebrating was his eightieth.
 Brian grew up in London learning his skills with a tightrope slung across the backyard and made his professional debut at 13.
 As an adult, he started his own circus troupe and entertained his two children by trimming the hedges while on stilts.
He still performs 10 physically demanding shows a week for Cirque du Soleil, with the only concession to his age that he has stopped walking the tightrope.

 

Old hand: Brian Dewhurst, centre, gets a standing ovation

Brian Dewhurst performs as Brian Le Petit during one of two nightly showings of Mystere,
Last week he marked his 80th birthday as he would any other work day _ by starring in two back-to-back performances of the show "Mystere" at the Treasure Island hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip.
 However, he said the only unexpected thing about his life’s devotion is that people are surprised he is still doing it.
 "My father worked into his late 80s, so I don’t think this is anything unusual," Dewhurst told The Associated Press as he prepared for his first performance on his birthday. "It’s just another day."
 So he was there, in his oversized black suit, and red foam clown nose, playing the part of rude clown Brian Le Petit and pretending to pull a bra from beneath the shirt of a large middle-aged woman
 He posed as an usher and then led confused tourists across the theatre, onto the stage and back to the entrance before ripping up their tickets and tossing the paper scraps into the air like confetti.
 At one point, he partially unbuttoned his shirt and tweaked his nipples mid-dance. 
There was a small concession to his birthday - his son Nicky made a surprise guest appearance in the show while the family threw him a party afterwards.
 And his family said he won’t give up the spotlight. "He lives for this," said daughter Sally, 37.      

Monkeys ride greyhound

(Baudy's Greyhounds)

Uploaded by historycomestolife on Apr 21, 2011

Chimps and greyhounds stunt together. Greyhound pulls stagecoach with chimp driver and passengers.

Circus is in San Luis Obispo for weekend shows


 

By Joe Johnston 
A circus sets up on the corner of Tank Farm Road and Long Street in San Luis Obispo.
from: sanluisobispo.com
By Tribune staff 
May 31, 2012
A circus arrived in San Luis Obispo today, and crews are busily working to get the tent up and ready for the weekend at the corner of Tank Farm Road and Long Street. 


The American Crown Circus and El Coloso De Las Americas Circo Osorio from Las Vegas will perform three shows over the weekend. 


No elephants or tigers will be on hand, but acrobats, wire walkers, and the motorcycle tricks of the Globe of Death will be on display during shows Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Read more here: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2012/05/31/2087703/circus-tent-tank-farm-slo.html#storylink=cpy

DELAWARE STATE FAIR--1955
MIDWAY
(Back then it was a county fair)

 

If I'm not mistaken the show was either Prell's Broadway Shows or Cetlin & Wilson.
Thanks Ron Finch for sending it!

Shrine Circus: Family affair 

Photo by Kaycee Anderson
Jeffrey the Clown 
by The North Platte Bulletin - 
5/31/2012 
A few sprinkles didn't damper the spirit at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds Thursday afternoon. The circus was in town. 
The show began with the dog act and Jeffrey Plunkett followed with an entertaining clown act, driving in with an old car. The car quit in the ring. Jeffery danced around, encouraging the crowd to clap and stomp their feet. After the roar died down, Jeffery tinkered with the engine and pulled a skunk out from under the hood. He tried lots of things to start the car, with lots of comical results.
A few raindrops fell, but Jeffrey’s antics and the crowd’s laughter seemed to be what as needed to chase the dark clouds away and bring the sun. 
Then came beautiful women twirling hula hoops followed by miniature horses.
The Tehama Shrine Circus, now 53-years-old, performed twice in North Platte Thursday, at 2 p.m. and at 6 p.m. 

Photo by Kaycee Anderson
James Pluckett works the horses.
Organizer Bob Peal from North Platte's Tehama Shriners said they try to bring the circus to North Platte as early in the spring as they can. The circus has a busy route.On Wednesday it was in McCook and will be in Sidney on Friday. 
The Shriners were happy with attendance – nearly 550 – especially considering that the show started under dark clouds and a few sprinkles.
Peal said this is the North Platte Shriner’s primary fund raiser of the year, next to selling Vidalia onions, which they do each fall. Peal is also looking forward to the next Shriner event, riding mini-cars (puddle jumpers) in the Nebraskaland Days parade. 
Before the excitement started, the cotton candy stand attracted a lot of attention, as Jeffrey the Clown was sold the candy. Samuel and Rebekah Troshnski and step-sister Rachel Simonson of Missouri, all with sticks of cotton candy, were excited to be there. This is their first circus in North Platte, as they just moved here from Columbia, Mo. 
But this was the fourth year Rachel, Maddie and Sydney Hatch, ages 10-6, of North Platte attended. Their friends Jill Dombrowski and Terry Fashching look forward to bringing them. All three children got their faces painted and were excited to see the performances.




Photo by Kaycee Anderson
Jairo Ojeda walks the dog 
Performing in this circus is a family tradition, as much or more than attending. 
James Plunkett is the owner and ringmaster. His brother Jeffrey is the clown. 
They were born in Dickens and now live in Maybank, Texas. Their grandfather Ed Plunkett began singing and dancing in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show when he was only six-years-old, Jeffery said. 
His father Marlin Plunkett was born in a storm cellar in 1928 and also started performing as a child. Plunkett said nearly everyone in the family followed in grandfather Ed's footprint and still perform in circuses around the United States. 
The family left the Dickens area and moved to Texas around the time World War II began. They stopped performing to help in the war effort. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, five uncles went down to enlist. One was too young but four served during the war. Grandpa Ed worked in San Antonia in an airplane factory. 
In the mid-50s, 11 members of the family formed the Plunkett Stage Show. Jeffery said it was a three-act repertory show that performed on three days a week, three performances a day. 
Shrine circus crewmembers and performers Daniel Rodriguez and Angelo Toscano, both from Las Vegas, also come from generations of circus performers and both started performing when they were six-years-old. Rodriguez is from Columbia and Toscano is from Argentina.

Photo by Kaycee Anderson
Jairo Ojeda, Ringmaster
Ringmaster Jairo Ojeda of Dallas is 21, and along with his two sisters and one brother, they are fifth-generation circus performers. 


The circus begins touring each year in February and takes the summer and winter months off. In September they start again, touring for six weeks in the southeastern states.

 

'The Greatest Show on Earth' returns to Grand Rapids for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's annual September appearance


 

The Ringmaster is silhouetted by the lights during the start of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus Thursday at Van Andel Arena. This year is BARNUM 200, featuring 130 performers from six continents, almost 100,000 pounds of performing pachyderms, cowboys, pirates, mermaids and more. (Katy Batdorff | The Grand Rapids Press)
from:  mlive.com
By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk 
May 31, 2012
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The “Greatest Show on Earth,” the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, returns to the Van Andel Arena in September.


The circus founded by P.T. Barnum has been a frequent September visitor.


The circus comes to town for seven shows Sept. 20-23 under the Big Top indoors.


“Fully Charged,” an all-new show of circus entertainment from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, promises “megawatts of thrills explode off of the arena floor with breathtaking dare-devilry, superhuman stunts and never-before-seen performances that energize Children Of All Ages.”
read more at:
http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/05/the_greatest_show_on_earth_ret.html

Prices, Times Announced for Great Lakes State Fair 
More details have been revealed about the new Michigan State Fair at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi this Labor Day weekend.


 

from:  farmington-mi.patch.com
By Rebecca Jaskot
May 30, 2012 
ans for Great Lakes State Fair coming to Novi this summer are moving forward with steam.


Blair Bowman, owner of Suburban Collection Showplace, has been working with the Great Lakes Agricultural Fair board, a 501(c)3 organization, to bring the Michigan State Fair back this summer at his venue. He and several of the organizers gave more details about the event, including ticket prices, parking and the events schedule, at a press conference Wednesday morning.


The event has also nabbed a Pure Michigan designation, meaning the state will help market the fair — although it currently is not providing any financial support.


Kent Roberts, vice president of the Great Lakes Agricultural Fair board, said the group has been working to fill the void left when the fair ended in 2009 after the government pulled its funding.


"We're not really trying to duplicate the old state fair, we're trying to put together a 21st Century version," Roberts said.


He said the fair will focus on showcasing Michigan's agricultural industry and heritage and giving residents the opportunity to learn more about them.


The fair will include horses, cattle, goats, pigs, sheep, rabbits and chickens inside the Showplace along with the agricultural exhibits. A midway, beer garden, entertainment stage and circus will be outdoors.


Entertainment is still being planned and will be announced within four to six weeks on the State Fair website. The group is still putting out feelers and working on contracts.


Novi Mayor Bob Gatt publicly made an open request to Kid Rock at the press conference, challenging him to make an appearance.


"If he's listening or his folks are listening, for this even to be successful we could certainly use him. Show up for one day or show up for one hour — just be part of this. That's my challenge," Gatt said.
read more at:
http://farmington-mi.patch.com/articles/prices-times-announced-for-great-lakes-state-fair-27b68d8e#c

SELLS and GRAY CIRCUS
(ACME CIRCUS OPERATING CO.)
SEASON-1970
FROM: JIM ELLIOTT


SORRY BUT I DON'T HAVE ANY CAPTIONS FOR THESE PHOTOS.
MAYBE SOME OF YOU OUT THERE COULD HELP IDENTIFY SOME.JUST POST A COMMENT!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SELLS and GRAY CIRCUS
SEASON--1970
CONT'D--

 

????

 

 

Could that be Dick Kohlriser?

I'm gonna take a guess--The Canestrellis?

????

 

????

 

????
THANKS JIM!

Big Apple Circus Says Farewell To Grandma

 

from: queensgazette.com

05.30.2012
BY EVAN KASTON 
Every year toward the end of May into the middle of June, the Big Apple Circus comes to Cunningham Park.

This year, the circus is entering its 34th year at this location and along with the celebration comes some special surprises that will bring laughter and smiles to every member of the family.

The circus in Cunningham Park is a one-ring circus, due to the size limitations of the parking lot in which it’s held. Because of this one-ring structure, no seat is farther than 50 feet from the ring and all the excitement and action; you really feel like you’re part of the show.
read more:
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2012-05-30/Features/Big_Apple_Circus_Says_Farewell_To_Grandma.html

Big top headed to Flat Rock


 

Shrine Circus makes 53rd annual appearance in North Platte today
from: nptelegraph.com
By Andrew Bottrell
Thursday, May 31, 2012


The Shrine Circus will be in North Platte for the 53rd straight year today, with performances at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds.


The circus is hosted each year by the North Platte Tehama Shrine Club.
"It's made possible by the support of the community, of the business people, that help us pay for the circus," said Bob Peal, Shrine president.


The main attraction this year, Peal said, is the Globe of Death, a motorcycle cage with several motorcyclists moving about the cage at the same time.


"It's a frequent staple at circuses," he said.


Other attractions include two dog performers, including a Malamute performance, two pony performances and Anna Louise the Dancing Elephant.


"Those ponies, of course, will also be available for pony rides at intermission, along with the elephant rides at intermission," Peal said.
A clown and car act that was in North Platte several years ago with the circus will also be featured.


"The car does crazy things. The clown who drives it provides a lot of laughs for young and old," Peal said.


There will also be a second clown act, which is new to North Platte, and Peal described as similar to Husker mascot Little Red. And, depending on the amount of wind today, there will be several high wire acts, including balancing and juggling acts.


Elementary-aged youth and younger can get in free, Peal said. Youth from middle school age through college can buy tickets at the door for $8, and adults are $12. Gates will open approximately one hour before the performance. Concessions will also be available.

Performers To Bring The Circus To City Parks


 

from: chicago.cbslocal.com
May 30, 2012 
CHICAGO (CBS) — The Midnight Circus is usually an after-hours affair, but its troupe will perform during the day as part of a popular partnership with the Chicago Park District coming up this fall.

As WBBM Newsradio’s Regine Schlesinger reports, back in 2007, the Midnight Circus staged its first show in a Chicago city park when aerialists, acrobats and clowns played Welles Park at Lincoln and Montrose avenues.
hat event planted the seed for what has become the Circus in the Parks program, which this year will expand to seven parks.

Proceeds from the $15 tickets will help fund improvement programs at all the host parks.
read more:
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/05/30/performers-to-bring-the-circus-to-city-parks/