The circus is coming!
from: fstrtibune.com
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
By Jason E. Silvers
The circus is scheduled to be coming to town this week.
Circus Pages, a family show based near Tampa, Fla., is scheduled to give performances at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.

Office Manager Yolanda Earhart said the circus visits every other year and rents the fairgrounds for its festivals. The company travels nationwide, performing two shows per day in various cities. The circus has been in operation for 22 years. The big top includes animals, clowns and a variety of performance acts.

Each show runs a little less than two hours and features several different types of animals, including lions, tigers, horses, camels and elephants. The big top show also includes aerialists, acrobats, clowns, jugglers and other performers. Also planned is the Globe of Death motorcycle stunt, weather permitting, Earhart said.

Pony and elephant rides will be available for $5 per child. Adults can ride elephants for $8 per person. Circus-goers are welcome to take photos of the various performances, Earhart said.

Tickets for the show, which can be purchased at the door one hour prior to showtime, are $15 for adults. Children 14 and under will be admitted free of charge.

Earhart said the circus currently has about 30 performers on staff.

Big top smiles galore

Annual circus wows local crowds

Pelolito the Clown greets attendees to the Cole Bros. Circus. / Staff photo/Cody Glenn

Written by Deborah M. Marko 

from:thedailyjournal.com

May. 14, 2012

VINELAND — Kwmae Ford relished his first circus on his fourth birthday.

His mother, Terri Ford of Millville, joked she booked the Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars for her son’s big day.

But it was Vineland Fire Company 2 who welcomed a caravan of performers to town for the 47th year, said Fire Captain Ryan Feaster.

The purpose is two-fold — family fun and fundraising, Feaster said. Firefighters give free tickets to area group homes to encourage them to bring the residents out for a night of entertainment.

A portion of the performance proceeds will be used to purchase fire equipment that isn’t covered within the municipal budget, Feaster said. One thing on their wish list is additional tools for their rescue truck.

Instead of asking donations, the fire department hosts the clowning around, which is a family tradition for many local families.

The first show, that opened at 5 p.m., was a sell-out.

Vanna Bara, 5, of Millville sat in the VIP front-row center seats.

Her grandmother, Vera Borisovs of Heislerville, purchases the premium seats each year on the day they go on sale.

“I love the horsies,” said Vanna, precariously balancing popcorn and a newly acquired sparkly neon magic wand.

“And I love her,” Borisovs said, giving the little girl a bear hug.

Clowns try to track down a man in a gorilla suit who is monkeying around with a woman's purse during the Cole Bros. Circus. / Staff photo/Cody Glenn
Dominic Ruiz, 4, of Vineland was wide-eyed walking in the entrance of what he called “the castle.” He was mesmerized by the star-dusted ceiling and the gleam of the acrobats’ death-defying Wheel of Destiny as his mom, Brandi Pappa, tugged him toward their seats.
Pappa said she was about as young as her son when her firefighting dad brought her to her first circus.
Haylee Burlew, leaning over the barrier, was dressed a princess. She fit in with the sparkle of the performers.
“This is normal,” said her mother Jennifer Burlew of Millville, noting her daughter has been “royal” since birth.
Haylee’s dad, Dean Burlew, enjoyed the highwire act.
But it’s not something he’d like to pursue, he said, more a feet-firmly-on-the-ground kind of guy.
Katelyn Rossi, 11, was most impressed by the two women who spun by their hair. Her friend, Abigail Sprouse, 12, joked she was going to try it on her younger sister, Averi, 9, who had the longest locks of the group.
The circus featured a menagerie of animals including tigers, elephants and even pink poodles.
Averi wasn’t eager to take home any wildlife souvenirs.
“I already have two dogs,” she said.
Before going home, Kwmae Ford enjoyed his birthday, setting astride an elephant named LouLou. Almost aware of her previous pint-sized passengers, she glided around in a small circle giving Terri Ford the best camera angle of her son’s beaming smile.
Getting off LouLou and running down the stairs, Kwmae told his mom riding the elephant was like “walking on air.”

Cole Bros. Circus in Vineland among events At The Shore Today

Posted: Monday, May 14, 2012
from: pressofatlanticcity.com
May 14, 2012.
Cole Bros. Circus in Vineland
What Is It: The 128th edition of the Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars entertains today and Tuesday at the U-Sell Flea Market on South Delsea Drive in Vineland.

What To Expect: Animals featured in this year's circus include Asian elephants and Judit and Juergen Nerger's Splendid Tigers. Daredevill turns include the Globe of Death and The Human Cannonball, who bursts from the barrel of The World's Largest Cannon at 5g velocity. Members of The Bermudez Troupe lead the way in filling the Big Top with laughter with their clown capers.

Event Info: Shows start at 5 and 8 p.m. today and Tuesday at the flea market, 2896 South Delsea Drive. General admission is $1; reserved seating is $17; VIP tickets are $20. Tickets are free for children younger than 13 when purchased at local merchants and at gotothecircus.com. Advance tickets can be purchased at South Vineland Fire Company, located at 876 E. Sherman Ave., J & J News Agency at 792 N. Main Road, Todd's News Agency at 235 S. Delsea Drive.

NEW MODEL FROM BROOKES--

STEAK DRIVER

Wirth Bros' Circus - The Greatest Show on Earth


 

In 1914 the sight of Wirths elephant lying down on the Shoalhaven River Bridge caused tremendous interest and attracted a large number of residents to the bridge.
from: abc.net.au
By Open Producer Sarah Moss
Mon 14 May 2012
Show map
In 1914 the sight of Wirths elephant lying down on the Shoalhaven River Bridge caused tremendous interest and attracted a large number of residents to the bridge.

For the last couple of weeks two members of the Shoalhaven Historical Society, Bruce and Gerry, have joined me and Derrilin at the Nowra Library to participate in the Now and Then photography workshops.

Although no photographers turned up to the workshops all was not lost as Gerry and Bruce provided a vast array of ancient images to choose from. So far we’ve been having a great time finding the original locations and superimposing our heritage snap on top. I have to admit, it’s much harder then it looks what with the sun, pedestrians, new facades and traffic. Nevertheless you’ll soon see our handy work on the project contributions page and, as we walked about town, we snuck in a few shots of signs for the latest ABC Open photography project called Snapped: Signs.

However, I hear you asking, that’s all very well but what about that elephant?

You see a funny thing happened that day in the library, Gerry and Derrilin got talking and wouldn’t you know it they can both recall the story of when in 1914 Wirths Circus Elephant Phyllis took a turn for the worse on the Shoalhaven River Bridge (now called the Nowra Bridge).

Derrilin tells an abridged version of the story to children in the Nowra Library and Jerry knew about the incident because as a member of the Shoalhaven Historical Society she has access to the original photographs. Derrilin had also read Keith Paterson’s book 'The Circus and other travelling tent shows in Shoalhaven 1855-1955' which was published by the Shoalhaven Historical Society. What a convenient coincidence.

Having watched some of the other Now and Then video stories we decided to create a short film about Phyllis, the elephant who said no. For the forthcoming film 'The elephant on the bridge" Gerry located the images, Bruce is taking care of the printing and editing and Derrilin tells the story of when Phyllis the elephant decided to stop walking the bridge and take a rest.

Once again I have to admit that ABC Open is like the gift that keeps on giving. Only three people attended the Now and Then: Series 2 photography workshops in Nowra Library and would you have a look at the outcome...Now and Then photographs, Snapped: Signs photographs, behind the scenes photographs and a short film about a historic incident involving elephants. Marvelous stuff.

The Circus and other travelling tent shows in Shoalhaven 1855-1955 by Keith Paterson is available in Australian libraries and was published by the Shoalhaven Historical Society in 2008. The book was assisted by funds allocated to the Royal Australian Historical Society by Arts NSW.

Circus to be in River Falls on May 14

Area News
-- The George Carden International Circus, sponsored by the Wisconsin Jaycees, will be offering family entertainment at 4:30 and 7 p.m. May 14, in River Falls at the Wildcat Centre, 861 Cemetery Rd.


 

An elephant does a stunt during the George Carden International Circus.
from: piercecountyherald.com
May 13, 2012,
RIVER FALLS - The George Carden International Circus, sponsored by the Wisconsin Jaycees, will be offering family entertainment at 4:30 and 7 p.m. May 14, in River Falls at the Wildcat Centre, 861 Cemetery Rd.
George Carden is the 5th generation in show business and has been in the circus business all of his life. His circus travels over 40,000 miles each year in the United States and Canada.
Tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for children 12 years and under.

Tulip Time carnival has Fennville connection
New operator changes system this year


 

Dennis R.J. Geppert/Sentinel Staff .Tyler Smuda rides a ride at the Tulip Time carnival in the Holland Civic Center parking lot Tuesday afternoon, May 8, 2012. Dennis R.J. Geppert/Sentinel Staff
By STEPHEN KLOOSTERMAN
The Holland Sentinel
May 10, 2012
Holland — When her three children start acting strangely, Sonja Skerbeck can’t help but wonder if there’s genetics to blame.

That’s because the Fennville native married into a family that’s worked in carnivals since 1857, and owned and operated a carnival for a six generations. The Skerbecks were tight-rope walkers, contortionists and clowns until the 1920s when they moved into managing carnival games and rides.

You don’t have to look far to see their work: The Escanaba -based Skerbeck Brothers Shows Inc. is Tulip Time’s vendor this year, managing the Meijer Midway Carnival at the Holland Civic Center in addition to the Meijer Children's Midway Carnival at Kollen Park.

Skerbeck — whose immediate family still winters in Fennville — connected with Tulip Time to land the job, which she said was previously handled by the Alma-based PlayWorld Amusements Inc.
read more:
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x1809315873/Tulip-Time-carnival-has-Fennville-connection

A day for mom at the Dixon May Fair


 

By Catherine Bowen CBowen@TheReporter.comthereporter.com
from: The Vacaville Reporter
05/14/2012
For many, Mother's Day has become synonymous with the Dixon May Fair.
And, true to form, as the fair drew to a close Sunday, scores of residents from around the area flocked to the fairgrounds to continue their family tradition.
Among those drawn to Dixon on the mild afternoon were Elise Benson, who was on hand with her 3-year-old nephew, Sam, parents, brother and sister-in-law.
The Esparto resident stood patiently holding Sam, who was just as patiently awaiting his turn for a ride at the Happy Day Pony Ride.
"It's his favorite thing," Benson said, noting he was no stranger to horses after jumping in the saddle at last year's fair.
A long-standing tradition for Benson and her family, she estimated they have been coming to the fair on Mother's Day for nearly 25 years.
"It's a fun family thing," she said.
"We look forward to Mother's Day," Benson added. "We always know we're doing the fair."
For others, like Andrea Hernandez, it was her first time experiencing the fair with her family and, judging from what they had seen so far, said it could mark the start of their own family tradition.
"We heard it was good and family friendly," she said as her son, Rian, finished up a ride of his own -- though a bit more "country" than she had expected.
"I'm glad I wore my boots," chimed in Laneya, her 8-year-old daughter.
With the sweet smell of cotton candy and kettle corn hanging in the air and mixing with the smell of barbecue and other treats, more than a few were enticed to the picnic tables scattered along the midway for their final taste of fair fare.read more:
http://www.thereporter.com/news/ci_20618584/day-mom-at-dixon-may-fair

'Dragon' stage show to tour N. America

 

from: upi.com

Published: May 13, 2012

NEW YORK, May 13 (UPI) -- A stage show based on the animated movie "How to Train Your Dragon" is to begin its North American arena tour in Pennsylvania next month, producers said.

The tour will follow successful runs in Australia and New Zealand. Produced by RZO Dragon Productions, it will feature 23 dragons -- some with wingspans of up to 46 feet -- actors playing Viking warriors, circus artists and acrobats performing in wall-to-floor immersive projection measuring more than 20,000 square feet.

The 2010 Academy Award-nominated film, "How to Train Your Dragon," grossed approximately $500 million at the worldwide box office.

The North American stage tour it inspired will begin in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., June 27.

"In our film, audiences around the world were transported to the mythical world of Vikings and dragons… and now, we are excited to immerse them in a one-of-a-kind live event in 'How to Train Your Dragon Live Spectacular,'" Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive officer of DreamWorks Animation, said in a statement. "The innovative team at Global Creatures and the creative storytellers at DreamWorks Animation have done an inspired job in every imaginable way to present this story on an unprecedented scale that will take global audiences to unforgettable new heights."

'How to Train Your Dragon' Trailer HD

 

~~IN MEMORY OF~~
 

IVA FRANCIS BERMAN
AUGUST 23, 1920 -- MARCH 3, 2009
"My Mom"

Circus’s animal performers get as excited as the fans before a show

Jake Rajewsky/The Globe Gazette 

Elephant handler Duane Ploof washes Cindy the elephant Saturday before the Shrine Circus at the North Iowa Events Center.

By JOHN SKIPPER

globegazette.com 

Saturday, May 12, 2012

MASON CITY — To see Bo up close brings a thought to mind.

Never has the word “big” seemed so inadequate.

Bo, one of the elephants performing at the Shrine Circus at the North Iowa Events Center, weighs 6 tons, is about 9 feet tall, has tusks as big as bowling pins and eats like, ah, well — an elephant.

“Grass, hay, grain, fruit, vegetables — if you’re eatin’ it, he wants it,” said Wayne Squibb of Houston, one of his handlers.

Bo and three other elephants are on hand for the circus. They range in age from 26 to 47. Bo is the youngest and the biggest.

One of the rituals prior to each show is the elephant wash — giving them a bath with soap and water.

When they get sprayed with the power hose “they know it’s close to show time,” said Larry Carden, their trainer.

“They get all psyched up, just like a kid getting ready for the prom,” he said.

“Elephants are like people. They have good days and bad days and they remember things. They know what it means when they get their bath and hear the music.”

Read more: http://globegazette.com/news/local/circus-s-animal-performers-get-as-excited-as-the-fans/article_b1b76c6a-9cb3-11e1-9c39-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=story#ixzz1ukEssRrX

25 years ago today--

from: lehighvalleylive.com
1987: Bring the kids: "Elephants, beautiful women and all the trappings of the 'big top' are coming to Belvidere tomorrow at the firemen's football field at the end of Market Street when the Great American Circus performs under sponsorship of Goodwill Fire Co. No. 1. The public is invited to watch the circus set up at 7 a.m. The show features a guest appearance by Tiny Tim."

Circus fan remembered

Photo provided 

Jim Bowers poses with clowns at a circus. Bowers played an important role in bringing the circus to Beatrice and an upcoming circus in Beatrice will be dedicated to his memory.

By Scott Koperski/Daily Sun staff writer 

Saturday, May 12, 2012 

Beatrice, NE--For 17 years, Jim Bowers played an important role in the circus, both in Beatrice and Lincoln.

Bowers earned the tile “Mr. Circus,” during his nearly two decades of experience as the circus director at the Sesostris Shrine.

But Mr. Circus will miss his the next act.

Bowers passed away April 15 at the age of 73.

To honor Bowers, the upcoming Beatrice circus presentation will be dedicated to him, according to Shrine Circus co-director Ron Cerveny.

“It’s something that he really would have appreciated,” Cerveny said. “Jim wasn’t about seeking the limelight. He just did whatever it took to get the job done.”

Doug Gates, who worked with Bowers to bring the circus to Beatrice for the first time last year, said bringing the entertainment to Gage County was always his goal.

Read more: http://beatricedailysun.com/news/local/circus-fan-remembered/article_6e4981d5-745c-5829-ae70-547289bcac7b.html#ixzz1ukHIA3g8

Circus of Chefs to make big splash

By Tim Damos,
Baraboo News Republic
May 11, 2012
Jeff Castree knows how to pique the interest of a sweet tooth.

“We’re going to have a turtle brownie with caramel ice cream, chocolate ganache, and fresh whipped cream,” the Broadway Diner chef said about a dessert he will feature at the upcoming Circus of Chefs ... The Gala 2012.

Castree is one of 41 chefs, vintners and brewmasters from the region whose talents will be on display at the gourmet tasting event, which is slated to take place June 10 at Circus World in Baraboo. Sweet tooths, people with a hearty appetite — and those who like to enjoy a quality glass of wine or beer — have less than two weeks to make reservations for the annual gathering.

The Gala is Circus World’s main fundraiser. Last year, it accounted for roughly 15 percent of the organization’s annual income.

Castree, whose 1950s style Baraboo diner is slated to open in less than two weeks, said he also will provide ice cream from Sassy Cow, an award winning creamery based in Columbus.

Presenters are judged in several categories, including best appetizer, best entrée, best dessert, best wine and best beer. Circus World Executive Director Steve Freese said the event’s popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, and the numbers appear to back him up.

In 2005, the Gala’s first year, Circus World raised about $60,000. Last year’s Gala raised a record $210,000.
read more:
http://www.wiscnews.com/news/local/article_88ddf934-9bd8-11e1-8ce1-001a4bcf887a.html

Life is truly a circus

Ariyadasa

A veteran of one of Sri Lanka’s well known travelling spectacles, Circus Neevala, describes a lifestyle that may soon be a thing of the past 

By Carole Ryu 

from: sundaytimes.lk

May 13, 2012

Throughout centuries and across civilizations, humans have relied on each other for spectacle and entertainment. From the nomadic gypsy performers of the Rajasthani deserts to the crowd-pleasing gladiators in the roaring stadiums of Ancient Rome, the universal desire to enthral an audience endures. It is said that during the Kandyan era, each kingdom possessed a personal troupe whose role was to amuse and mesmerize. Now just a handful of circus performers continue their traditions, sacrificing the comforts of a home in exchange for a lifestyle based on dedication to a craft.

One such travelling circus called Circus Neevala set up camp in preparation for the 12 performances they would hold in Panadura recently. When the Sunday Times visited members of Circus Neevala were building the wooden bleachers, that serve as seats, under the illuminated glow of lime green and cherry red that reflected off the thick, vertical candy stripes of the tarpaulin tent.

Based in Sri Lanka, Circus Neevala first caught the attention of audiences over half a century ago. Their theatrical style and live, original music inspired by traditional Sri Lankan melodies have put Circus Neevala on the map of circus fans nationwide.

Vidanarachchige Ariyadasa, the manager of Circus Neevala, was born and raised in the circus industry. He began working with Circus Neevala more than three decades ago when he first stepped into the circus ring as a trapeze artist.

Ariyadasa shares a stack of photographs that exhibit the variety of acts Circus Neevala performs, including unicycling, tightrope walking, and knife throwing. Amidst the photographs is a snapshot of two youthful trapeze performers suspended upside down at a 45-degree angle, captured in mid-swing.
“That’s me and my wife,” Ariyadasa casually mentions, pointing at the snapshot, “We met at Circus Neevala.”
Ariyadasa kindly agreed to an interview with the assistance of a Sinhala-English translator.
read more:http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120513/Magazine/sundaytimesmagazine_02.html

Calaveras County Fair's Jumping Frog Jubilee arrives Thursday

Modesto Bee - (Brian Ramsay/bramsay@modbee.com) Bridgette Boriolo, 5, of Valley Springs hits the mat to get her frog to jump, scoring 5 feet on the turn. Held the third weekend in May, the Calaveras County Fair in Angels Camp is home to the 82nd annual Jumping Frog Jubilee based upon Mark Twain's immortal "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." May 14, 2010.
from: Modesto, CA Bee
By Jim Silva
jsilva@modbee.com
Saturday, May. 12, 2012
The London Olympics still are a few months away, but if you want to witness some of the best jumpers in the world, you have to wait only a few days.

Calaveras County Fair's Jumping Frog Jubilee takes flight Thursday and runs for four days, culminating in May 20's grand finals, in which the best of the best compete in front of an expected crowd of 2,000 people at the fair's amphitheater.

Whether you take part in the competition or are just there to watch, "you can expect to have the time of your life," said Ron Dwelley, director of special events for the Calaveras County Fair. "It's one of the most unique events in the whole state of California."

Read more here: http://www.modbee.com/2012/05/10/2195294/calaveras-county-fairs-jumping.html#storylink=cpy

Tickets on Sale for Rotary's Annual Memorial Weekend Circus 



Big Top to be erected at St. Vincent's School property in Marinwood to support Rotary Club of Novato Sunrise's public service projects.
from: novato.patch.com
May 12, 2012
Novato, CA--The Rotary Club of Novato Sunrise is not just clowning around again. The members really want to see you at the circus Memorial Day weekend for the club's largest fundraiser of the year.

The club is bringing the American Crown Circus back to the St. Vincent School property in Marinwood May 25-28 to raise funds to support local school projects including literacy, essay contests, dictionary donations for third-graders, the Fishing in the City event, the North Bay Children’s Center, St. Vincent’s School for Boys and local Boy Scouts of America units. Money also goes to support the club’s smoke alarm project, in partnership with the Novato Fire District, to ensure that each mobile home in Novato has a working smoke detector.

 

The club also supports regional and global projects by sponsoring joint club projects such as clean water projects in South America and Uganda.

Circus tickets can be purchased in advance at local establishments showing the circus posters and a sign stating “Tickets On Sale Here!” Participating businesses include Redwood Credit Union on Grant Avenue, Bank of Marin on Grant and Ignacio Boulevard, Bank of the West on Grant and Matt & Jeff’s Car Wash.