THE BALLOON MAN

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

THE GOODYEAR BLIMP

Wisconsin State Fair, 1936
Wisconsin Historical Society Photo

HOW AM I GONNA STEER THIS?

Elephant Posing on International Cub Cadet

Shirley, a half-ton elephant, poses on an International Cub Cadet 122 lawn tractor with IH dealer Carl Kelton looking on. 1967

THE MERRYMOBILE

Merrymobile ice cream vending truck.

Press release caption reads: "Merrymobile - colorful ice cream vending vehicle - built by Merrymobile Co., Memphis, Tennessee. Unit is powered by International UC-60 LP-Gas engine. Twenty-one International-powered Merrymobiles have been built, with 100 more on tap 1959
Boy this would put the "Good Humor" on guard!
(Wisconsin Historical Society Web Site)

"GARBAGE" JOINTS FROM THE PAST

Novelty Joint at Wisconsin Amusement Park

Garabage Joint at the Wisconsin State Fair (1960's)
photos from Wisconsin Historical Society Web Site

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

JIM RIDENOUR PASSES

I am sorry to report the death of Jim Ridenour this morning at his home in Indiana.

Many details are not yet known but he died in his easy chair. His daughter called him with no luck this morning and had his neighbor check on him and she found him dead.

Jim was an active circus employee and fan and loved the circus dearly and will be remembered by many of us for his friendship with circus fans.

He served as Florida State Chairman for CFA for almost a lifetime, was a President of the Showfolks Tent #122 of CFA, and served one year as regional vice president of CFA.

Jim enjoyed the circus community both as an member of the staff of many shows and also as Florida's greatest fan.

Friends can send a card to his daughter:

Michele Ridenour

1742 Houston St.

New Albany, IN 47150

Any further details will be sent as discovered.

Pete Adams

12/7/2009

POSTCARD

"THE OLD" DAYS

#9"Spader Johnson dressed as a clown."

"Five circus performers, female and male, sit or stand astride a horse with a tent as a backdrop."

"RW Cast & Crew (possibly The Clyde Beatty Show)"

"Personnel of the old Miles Orton Circus outside a tent in their 1891-92 New Orleans' quarters."

"Personnel of the Walter L. Main show in 1904 and 1905, photographed outside a tent, include clowns, the driver of a four horse chariot, and air performers. Their contemporary, circus man Frank B. Miller, described the group as 'A bunch of real old time actors, all damn good ones...'" (1905)

-Circus Photos at Wisconsin Historical Society