THE BALLOON MAN: 2008-09-28

Saturday, October 4, 2008

STATE FAIR OF TEXAS--CORNY DOG CONTEST

STATE FAIR OF TEXAS

It's that time of the year!

The Texas State Fair is open until the middle of October.

I thought these were neat views of part of the fair after dark.

The Title is a link to the fair's web site.

SCHOOL TAKE HOME REMINDER

These were given to the school students at the school were we were to show.

This is from around 1990.

CARNIVAL FLYER

We played this date for 4 or 5 years.

It was always pretty good then they moved it to the other side of town in front of a Lowe's Store and it continued to be good for a couple of years.

The Taylors are out of Annapolis, MD, where Mr Taylor owns an electrical contracting business.

SARASOTA CIRCUS FESTIVAL PARADE 1993

This float came from our club in Gibsonton.

SARASOTA CIRCUS FESTIVAL PARADE 1993

That's the late Capt. Fred Logan with the Beatty Show Elephants.

The small wagons were from Allan Hill's Collection

If you would like to identify some of the folks in these pictures feel free to leave a comment!

SARASOTA CIRCUS FESTIVAL PARADE 1993

Friday, October 3, 2008

Ziyara Shrine Circus-Utica, NY

Ziyara Circus is coming to town
UTICA - It's time for the annual Ziyara Shrine Circus with its three rings of tigers, clowns, acrobats and more to thrill the kids and the kid in everyone.
The Ziyara Shrine Circus, which marks its 61st year this year, is coming to the Utica Memorial Auditorium Oct. 5-7.
The show will combine traditional circus features, such as popcorn, cotton candy, elephants, clowns and acrobats, with state-of-the-art lighting and a live band.
The first Shrine Circus was held in Detroit in February 1906. By the 1920s, Shrine Circuses were being conducted throughout the country.
The Ziyara Temple, with offices on Genesee Street in Utica, first sponsored a circus in 1922, and it has sponsored an annual circus every year since 1947. The shows originally were at the state Parkway Armory in East Utica, but were moved to the auditorium in 1982.
The Shriners' philanthropic mission is to support the network of 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children located throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Show times are 7 p.m. Friday, 2:15 and 7p.m. Friday, 2:15 and 7p.m. Saturday and 11 and 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission: adults, $12; children 12 and younger, $6. Reserved seating

VA STATE FAIR PICS

Here's part of the midway.

GO PHILLIES!!

COLE ALL STAR CIRCUS

From the Dykes Bros Concessions

Ok Okha!

DISPLAY ADS

These ads are from Brother Bill's collection

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

AL VIDBEL

Word just came in that Al Vidbel, renowned elephant trainer and circus owner, has passed away.
We'd like to send our Condolences to the Vidbel Family.
Our Prayers and thoughts are with you.
Dick Dykes

SENIORS SENILE?

The Jewelry Store-- An older, white haired man walked into a jewelry store one Friday evening with a beautiful young gal at his side. He told the jeweler he was looking for a special ring for his girlfriend. The jeweler looked through his stock and brought out a $5,000.00 ring. The old man said, 'No, I'd like to see something more special.' At that statement, the jeweler went to his special stock and brought another ring over. 'Here's a stunning ring at only $40,000.00 the jeweler said. The young lady's eyes sparkled and her whole body trembled with excitement. The old man seeing this said, 'We'll take it.' The jeweler asked how payment would be made and the old man stated, 'by check. I know you need to make sure my check is good, so I'll write it now and you can call the bank Monday to verify the funds and I'll pick the ring up Monday afternoon,' he said. Monday morning, the jeweler phoned the old man.'There's no money in that account.' 'I know,' said the old man, 'But let me tell you about my weekend! All Seniors Aren't Senile!!!

ADVANCE SALE TICKETS (From Fred Hoffman)

Thanks go to Fred Hoffman for these and the following two posts.

There are plenty more to come!

COMP TICKETS (From Fred Hoffman)

These Passes were presented to the folks who helped the show for different reasons.

LITHO PASSES (From Fred Hoffman)

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

OABA SAFETY VIDEO

FROM BOB COX

Big City was a butcher workinf for the Shallows in Houston (83 years old) this was about 1985.the other pic is an elephant ride at the Hemisfair in San Antonio in the '60's..thats my wife Raquel up front.

Thanks Bob!
Don't forget to check out Bob's Blog listed in the links.

GREAT AMERICAN CIRCUS-1985

Ready for the Matinee.

These pictures were taken, I beleive, in Rocky Mount, NC on a Saturday early in the season.

Bill and I were concession managers.

This particular day a new big top was set up for the first time.

A lot of shows used to delay setting new canvas up until they were out of the red clay of the south.

GREAT AMERICAN CIRCUS-1985

Here's the Main Concession Stand.

The young man posing in fron of it is "Juggy" Prevost, seat butcher and son of the show's Manager Don Prevost. Juggy was a top notch seat man.

I wish I could identify the other two folks standing in the wagon but it eludes me right now.

Bobby Wyman also worked the wagon and of course that's where brother Bill held forth.

Here Jimmy Divine, Jr. in the Floss Stand spinning candy and that young man, checking up on him, is none other than Mr Juggy, as Tiny Tim would say.

GREAT AMERICAN CIRCUS-1985

Giant Snakes Pit Show

"Little" Jimmy Divine covering the action on the new big top.

GREAT AMERICAN CIRCUS-1985

Brand new Big Top spread on the ground.

Here's Tiny Tim, Allan Hill and Bill Hill supervising the raising of the new tent.
Well Tiny was observing!

Monday, September 29, 2008

PHILLIES ALL THE WAY!!!

CIRCUS USA

In 1980 Bill and I were working a McCrory's 5 & 10 in Hattiesburg, MS. for Christmas

with the Mylar Balloons and Chinese Yo-Yo's.

One day we noticed an ad in the local newspaper that Circus USA was to appear in Petal,MS just down the road a few miles from the Mall on our day off. Back then the Mall was closed on Sundays.

Well We found it. It was a dismal day. The show was set-up on the fairgrounds. Only a handful of folks showed up for the show. The generator went down right in the middle of the show! But as you know the show must go on!