MEMORIES--FOUND ON E-BAY

These trucks were used in days past to entertain kids in

metropolitan cities. There probably are a few left still operating.
I remember Hunt Bros. Circus had one, just like this one,
on their midway for years!

I think one of these would still be a money-maker on a

small under canvas show!

So if your interested it's listed for sale on e-bay starting bid is

$1,995,00, fob Ohio

HOME TOWN DAYS

Flint Journal files
SWARTZ CREEK, Michigan — From carnival rides, animals and craft shows to wrestling, car shows and fireworks, Swartz Creek is gearing up for Hometown Days.
The annual four-day weekend event, slated for Thursday through Sunday at Kincaid Park, will give everyone something to do.
“This is going to be the biggest little festival in the area. It is already shaping up to be one of the best Hometown Days ever,” said Larry Bush, Hometown Days chairman. The city expects an attendance of 35,000, coming from Genesee County and surrounding areas.
The festival will start at 4 p.m. Thursday with Idol Contest Tryouts for high school students. First-place winner will receive $75.
read more at: http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2010/05/swartz_creek_gears_up_for_annu.html

WORLD CIRCUS CULTURE (FROM MIKE NAUGHTON)

WorldCircusCulture — April 17, 2010 — In filming the documentary, "World Circus Culture", we followed 5 acts from different countries to the competition at the 34th International Monte Carlo Circus Festival. This video introduces the acts we followed - Martin Lacey Jr., Cirque du Soleil, Duss Family Sea Lions, Rob Torres, and Troupe Yakubov.

DICK'S VISIT TO LEWIS & CLARK CIRCUS--PART 1

I decided yesterday I had to visit my friend Bob Childress , owner of Lewis & Clark Circus

They were just down US 13 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds, about

17 miles from my house.
I can't thank the show enough for rolling out the Red Carpet for Me.

Bob told me that business has been good all season.

From this spot they jumped to Chesapeake City, MD,

About a 60 mile jump from here.
They played here for two days and after the next spot they head into Pa. at

Oxford. Lewis & Clark plays quite a few dates for Promoter Ted Hill (Allan's Brother)

Ringmaster Rebecca Ostroff welcomes and opens the show!

Here she's doing her single trapeze act.

Which is the first display.
Show ran over 90 minutes with a 15 minute intermission.
At which time the kids were "invited" to Have their pictures
taken with a Python or take a camel ride.

Again I want to thank the cast and crew for the great

hospitality they showed between Me and my guests.

This was the first show I'v been to in six years.

Thanks to my new scooter!
Unfortunately I had a bit of trouble with my digital camera.

I messed up quite a few more pictures to my dismay.

DICK VISIT'S LEWIS & CLARK CIRCUS-- PART 2

The Great Sladek!

Hula Hoops

Clown "Joey" gives the Ringmaster a Hard Time

Big & Little Act

(Big is just exiting top)


And of course The Balloon Man!

"Who Me"!

Lewis & Clark Circus Owner Bob Childress

Ringmaster Rebecca Ostroff gives selling novelties a try!

JIM ELLIOT'S ANNUAL ANAL INSPECTION

Jim Elliott conducts his annual ANAL INSPECTION

on Bill Morris' "Cora" yesterday in Valrico, Fl.

Jim reports that "Cora's" buddy "Shannon" won't let him near her!
Will wonders never cease!

50th STATE FAIR PICTURES

Crowd waiting for the Main Gate to open on the first day!

From left, Mycah Lee, 13, of Manoa, Andrew Sakai, 14, of Mililani, and Kasen Takushi, 13, of Mililani, were hoping to land the ball in the milk can to win a prize at the 50th State Fair yesterday at Aloha Stadium.

Zayden Liaga, 3, of Wahiawa, got up and close with the goats at the 50th State Fair, which also featured pig racing, an acrobatic troupe, a hypnotist and a canine contest.

Kayla Peggs of the U.S. Navy stationed at Kane'ohe tried her luck at a game booth yesterday at the 50th State Fair.

50th STATE FAIR OPENS

Pig racing steals show at state fair

Carnival returns with food, games, acrobats on horses
By Michael Tsai, Advertiser Staff Writer

Sunday, May 30, 2010
In the end, there can be only one winner, and yesterday that winner was a pint-sized porker named Britney Squeals.
On the opening weekend of the 50th State Fair at Aloha Stadium, hundreds eschewed the sundry offerings of rides, games and funnel cakes to take in what has become one of the fair's most popular attractions: pig racing.
Squeals, a crowd favorite, took an early lead out of the gate and held off a late charge by rising star Hammah Montana to earn the win in the first race of the afternoon. Swillery Rodham Clinton finished third, followed by the mercurial Lindsay Loham.
In other races, Arnold Snoutsenhogger won by a snout over hard-charging Lance Hamstring and sawdust-chompers Jean Claude Van Ham and El Puerco Swifto, and Redneck Racers legend Jack Hogworthy beat a seniors field of Bill Spamball, Ham Salad and Larry the Bacon Guy.
"E.K. Fernandez fairs are really family events," said Marcie "The Pig Lady" Campbell, who announced the races. "This is so much more personal than other races we've been to. It's that aloha attitude. People here are just so nice and friendly."
Campbell and her husband Rick (alternately known as the Pig Whisperer) are one of three teams from Kansas-based Hedrick's Promotions who are overseeing the pig races this year.
read more at: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100530/NEWS01/5300366/Pig+racing+steals+show+at+state+fair

ST AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA--

Wing walker awed locals

Mabel Cody risked life in visit to Beach

Posted: May 31, 2010
by MARCIA LANE

For Mabel Cody and her Flying Circus dancing on the wing of a plane was an ordinary day at the office as they entertained crowds with their flying and acrobatic skills.
It was the 1920s and barnstormers were the bee's knees, drawing fans wherever they flew.
On a Sunday in December 1921 about a thousand people gathered along St. Augustine Beach to watch Mabel and her troupe try a few death-defying stunts.
One stunt involved a man identified as "Pilot Heerman" (or possibly Heermanese) who stepped from the wing of one plane onto the wing of an approaching plane. It took three passes before the planes were close enough.
Later in the show, Louis "Bugs" McGowan climbed from a moving car up a rope ladder into a plane flying overhead.
When Mabel and her daredevils came back in March 1924, she did that stunt herself.
read more at: http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-05-31/wing-walker-awed-locals

DETROIT'S "RICKY THE CLOWN" PASSES

In the early 1950s, Mr. Romig joined WXYZ-TV, eventually hosting a program as Ricky the Clown. (detroitkidsshow.com)
Mr. Romig (detroitkidsshow.com)

Performer loved life as Ricky the ClownMark Hicks /

The Detroit News May 31. 2010
Romig loved clowning around to brighten a kid's day.
For decades the longtime circus performer known as Ricky the Clown regaled young viewers throughout Metro Detroit on his own local TV show. And even through his 80s, he continued donning a wig, bright makeup, rubbery nose and colorful outfits for personal appearances.
"He had an amazing transformation. Truly he became a different person," said Ed Golick, master of detroitkidshow.com, which profiles area children's programing from the 1950s and 1960s.
"He put his heart and soul into his clowning. He lived and breathed being a clown."
Mr. Romig died Sunday, May 23, 2010, after an illness. He was 90.
Born Feb. 1, 1920, in Detroit, he grew up with parents who both performed in the circus.
Performing through his teens, Mr. Romig later served in the Army as an infantryman and K-9 Corps dog trainer, according to Detroit News archives.
Returning to the United States, he joined the Detroit Shrine and Ringling Brothers circuses as a rider and clown.
He later appeared in the 1952 film "The Greatest Show on Earth," relatives said, and wed Rose Dobo, who became part of his act.
In the early 1950s, he joined WXYZ-TV (Channel 7), eventually hosting a program as Ricky the Clown.
"He had a menagerie of animals," Golick said. "He kept a live llama, a miniature buffalo, all kinds of monkeys he'd bring. His gimmick was... a dead-on impression of (entertainer) Al Jolson."

In the early 1950s, he joined WXYZ-TV (Channel 7), eventually hosting a program as Ricky the Clown.
"He had a menagerie of animals," Golick said. "He kept a live llama, a miniature buffalo, all kinds of monkeys he'd bring. His gimmick was... a dead-on impression of (entertainer) Al Jolson."
Mr. Romig loved being "the happy tramp," said his son, Christopher. "He didn't want to be stagnant. He always thought of skits to do. He liked seeing the children happy."
After his show ended in the 1960s, Mr. Romig continued performing for various events.
Describing his love of the gig to The Detroit News in 1971, he said: "...The only way I'm really rich is in the great memories I've got. I remember a lot of funny things and a lot of laughing kids."
Mr. Romig also joined an arts education program and was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame in 2001.
"He was upbeat," his son said. "He did exactly what he wanted his entire life."

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100531/OBITUARIES/5310338/1457/ENT10/Performer-loved-life-as-Ricky-the-Clown#ixzz0pVPes0xU

CONEY ISLAND'S LUNA PARK OPENS ON TIME!

King Henry, left, entertains the kids with magic tricks at Luna Park, Saturday, May 29, 2010 in New York's Coney Island. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

People enjoy one of the Surf's Up ride at Luna Park, Saturday, May 29, 2010 at Coney Island in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Olive Cole, 2, of Brooklyn rides the orange elephant at Dino's amusement park on of the Saturday, May 29, 2010 at Coney Island in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

People enjoy one of the rides at the Luna Park, Saturday, May 29, 2010 at Coney Island in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Luna Park Opens On Time, Gets Good Reviews
After the politicians had their fun,

the new Luna Park officially opened to the public on yesterday, and so far has been getting fantastic reviews.

One visitor told the Daily News, "My dad and grandfather used to tell me about Luna Park and the old rides. I think this is just as good, just as beautiful." Just 12 of the 19 rides were up and running, and the park opened an hour later than planned, but they made up for it by making all the rides free for an hour and charging a reduced $15 for a four-hour unlimited pass.
In a few hours, Dick Zigun, Coney Island "Mayor" and founder of the Coney Island Circus Sideshow, will be giving his State of Coney Island address, and a press release says it will include "the proposal for PEACE TALKS AND NEW STRATERGIES [sic] FOR AMUSEMENTS."

Peace would be nice, but somehow we don't think developer Joe Sitt is ready to raise the white flag just yet

S & S AMUSEMENTS AT JESSUP, PA (SCOTT BUNDY)

Balloon Man Contributor, Scott Bundy, is in Pa visiting

his wife's family, who happen to own S & S Amusements.

Scoot has sent us a lot of pictures that I will post over the next few days.

For thos of you not familiar with S & S Amusements it is a family show.

Owned and Operated by Steve Swika and family.

It's area of operation is the eastern part of PA.

Winterquarters are located in Peckville, PA, (Scranton area).