MILLS BROS CIRCUS, 1953

Teeterboard Act

MILLS BROS CIRCUS, 1953

This appears the Bulls are ready to perform

I saved this picture for last because it appears to be older than the other ones

This could be when "Burma" was the only elephant the show had.

Maybe one of our Historians could fill us in on this one.

GREAT AMERICAN CIRCUS 1981

These pictures were taken in Apopka, Fl early in the season.

I beleive this was Allen Hill's first season managing the show for Hoxie.

Which of course He acquired from Hoxie later.

That's Allan's Bus parked on the right

GREENTREE SHOWS--VALDOSTA, GA FAIR 1986

Bill and I always looked forward to the Valdosta Fair

for many reasons. Certainly not grossing any money!

But one of those reasons was to see Mr. Red Parks and his family!

Red could really tell some of the funniest Jokes and stories!

He had worked for James Drew Expo. as a ride super among others.

All these kiddie rides were Green Trees
Green Tree's Castle Bounce

GREENTREE SHOWS--VALDOSTA, GA FAIR 1986

Power Unit

Green Tree's Scrambler

GREENTREE SHOWS--VALDOSTA, GA FAIR 1986

Ride Help Bunkhouse getting a good cleaning from Michael Parks.
I beleive these two units pulled Kiddie Rides

And of course the Dykes Bros. were there!
Mr Parks is no Longer with us but I'll never forget him and his family.
His son Mike carries on the Parks tradition, but the show is under a different title now.

LIFE MAGAZINE photo

People crowding the midway at a carnival.Location: US Date taken: 1937

LIFE MAGAZINE PHOTO

Ticket seller for Monkey Auto Races surrounded by prospective customers as ferris wheels loom in the dusk behind them at carnival in the Greenbrier Valley Fair.Location: Lewisburg, WV, US Date taken: August 1938

DOUBLE FERRIS WHEELS--1938

LIFE MAGAZINE PHOTO

1938

KEWPIE DOLLS

Life Goes To A County Fair--Display of the ubiquitous, ever-popular kewpie dolls as they stand attached to canary-topped cane sticks in stall at carnival for the Greenbrier Valley Fair.Location: Lewisburg, WV, US Date taken: August 1938

from LIFE MAGAZINE

GYPSY ROSE LEE

Gypsy Rose Lee standing in front of her advertisement for her strip-tease act, during a traveling carnival show.Location: Memphis, TN, US Date taken: 1954

Life Magazine picture, Royal American Shows.

BACK END PIECES AT INVERNESS, FL COUNTY FAIR 1979

Jimmy Moody's Funhouse.

Jimmy's Dad was trainmaster on the Royal American Shows for years.

He then had,probably, one of the Greatest Freak Animal Shows on the road.

Which Jimmy also operated.

We were all booked into this spot with Belle City Shows.

Bill and I had the Glass House booked in there.
I'm sorry but I can't remember the Guy's name that had this show.
I do remember He had connections to the Circus and He Introduced Bill and Me to
the Thirst Quenching Taste of Gin and Tonic.
Inside the show was an adult tapire.

BACKEND PIECES AT INVERNESS, FL COUNTY FAIR 1979

The Snake show I beleive was owned by two guys from Gibtown

Mel and Smokey
Not sure whose funhouse this was.

THIS WAS ONE OF JACK CONSTANTINE'S PIECES.

LARRY'S AMUSEMENTS--1980

Thes pictures were taken at the LaGrange, GA Fair in 1980.

Bill and I were on our way south picked up a few spots with this show.

It was owned by L.D. Wheelerwho used to have his games with the World of Mirth.

It was a beautiful small show that played spots mostly in the South.

It just happened George Hanneford's Show was booked as a

Free Attraction at the Fair.

Bill and I met Joe Sherman, Clown, at this spot.

Lorie was L.D.'s daughter.

PHOTOS FROM THE PAST---

The only information was between 1910-1915
Same with this one 1910-1915
From the Smithsonian

SANTA IN MEADEVILLE, PA MALL (about '77 or '78)

" I've got a nice home in Florida, so what am I doing here!" That's Me just outside the entrance to the Meadeville Mall.

And this 2 or 3 weeks before Christmas.

The weather forecast for Christmas Eve was Snow, Snow and More Snow.
So Christmas Eve morning you know where the Dykes Bros were headed!
It certainly was not the North Pole! In fact that was my final performace in that role!

CANFIELD, OHIO FAIR 1977 #1

The backend show in this picture was the Man Who Catches a Bullet in his Teeth!

I can't remember his name but they played West Virgina State Fair with

us the spot before Candield.

We were with NEI out of New Kensington, PA.

And this view was from the platform of our Glass House.

Opposite us on the midway was a new attraction that year.

The Thrillsphere, Inflatable Theatre, and did they bug

the hell out us with their PA System!

also full blast point right at us.

Canfield Fair is a very large fair, probably second in attendence to Columbus!

That year we played Candfield, Ashland and Wooster Ohio fairs with NEI.

CANFIELD, OHIO FAIR #2

Ward Hall and Chris Christ's 10 in 1
Loyal's Haunted House