THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO MY TWIN BROTHER, BILL DYKES (1943-1995). WE WERE NOT ONLY BROTHERS BUT PARTNERS IN BUSINESS AND BEST FRIENDS! AND TO ALL THE "BUTCHERS" THAT HAVE PASSED ON TO THE BIG LOT IN THE SKY!


CIRCUS NOW OPEN!

2014 Convention

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SAVE THE DATES



Friday, March 27, 2009

COLE BROS OPENING WEEKEND--DELAND--2009

From Larry Snyder, Sunday March 23, 2009.
These first set of pictures, Today, are mostly equipment.
Tomorrow we'll go inside the Big Top!















COLE BROS OPENING WEEKEND DELAND 2009











COLE BROS OPENING WEEKEND--DELAND 2009







From Larry Snyder 03/23/09



CIRCUS ADVERTISING #1 From RJ Reynolds

Here is a collection of newspaper circus ads starting with King Bros.-Cole Bros. 1955, McGraw Motor 1957, Cristiani 1959, Beatty-Cole 1963, L.E. Barnes 2001, and Kelly-Miller 2008.
RJ Reynolds





CIRCUS ADVERTISING #2 From RJ Reynolds







Thursday, March 26, 2009

SARASOTA SHRINE CIRCUS (From Scott Bundy)

Sahib Shriners Proudly Presents
Circus Hollywood
28th Annual Sahib Shrine Circus. Appearing at the Sarasota Fairgrounds Under the Big Top!April 3 & 4, 2009
Tickets:Box Seats $20.00 Adults $12.00 Senior (65+) $8.00 Youth (11 & under) $6.00 Family (2 Adults, 2 Youths) $25.00
Shows Times: Friday10:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Saturday10:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Dreamland Amusements--Woodbridge, VA--Novelty Joint

DSC_3389

All I can say is GOOD LUCK!

DAVID LETTERMAN

Did anyone watch Dave Letterman's show last night?
Well last night David Letterman showed his colors!
During his monlog he made the statement--
Only in America can a kid watch animal abuse and eat cotton candy!
Probably referring to the Ringling Show now playing New York.
Well I've made up my mind I don't care if I ever watch that SOB again!
Dick
P.S. What do you think?
Leave a comment.

ROBERTS BROS. CIRCUS

Bill and I had just completed our winter run with the Cole All Star Circus and
were on our way home to Gibsonton when we stopped by to visit Roberts Bros
on a fairgrounds in South Carolina. The year had to be around 1990.
I beleive they were into their second week of the season.
It was always interesting going South on I95 and seeing all the
equipment moving North to open the season!




Here's one of the Dykes Bros conversing with Pat Wainright.
Pat ran the Novelty Joint on Roberts Bros, as well as the cookhouse, for
many years on the show!





REITHOFFER DISCOUNT COUPONS

As close as I can come to dating these is late 80's

HANNEFORD PRESS--1990

Don't forget: click on the image to enlarge so that you may read it!

FROM: BOB COX




Wednesday, March 25, 2009

CARSON & BARNES PRESS RELEASE

WORLDS LARGEST TRADITIONAL TENT CIRCUS BRINGS
A NEW CONCEPT IN FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT TO «HEADCITY»


In America today, there remains only one big-tented circus, which manages to maintain
a traditionally demanding road schedule. It's the all new 73rd edition of the Carson & Barnes Circus, bringing almost hundred performers and animals to the «LotLocation» in «City» on «Showdate» with shows at «Showtimes». The «Sponsor» will use the event as a fundraiser to support many of its local community projects. Carson & Barnes Circus is always pleased to provide a portion of its income to civic organizations for local use. In 2008, almost one million dollars was raised for local hosts.

This year, Carson & Barnes Circus will be traveling with its all new state-of-the-art tent and show to some 200 towns and cities across America. Emphasis is on a new concept in circus presentation, which blends over eight decades of circus tradition and family ownership with exciting new acts and up-close audience viewing, achieving a new height in quality family entertainment. The new first of its kind circus tent is of international origin with portions manufactured in Brazil, Mexico and Italy. Partially motorized, the tent reaches a height of approximately 50 feet. Inside measurements of 144’ X 180’ allow for unique and unobstructed viewing for up to 2000 people.

When Carson & Barnes sets up circus morning, it is circus history and magic, transforming the show grounds into "Circus City USA". The general public is invited (free), and early birds on «Showdate» can watch as the first units of the caravan begin arriving about an hour after dawn. Over 2 dozen types of exotic and domestic animals, featuring a large traveling zoo, are unloaded, fed and watered and made available for viewing. Adding to the excitement, is the final and most popular experience of all, as humans, elephants and technology work side-by-side to erect America's most spectacular and largest circus Big Top.

The performers are artists from around the world, including the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Russia and Italy. Acts consist of aerial trapeze, high wire, motorcycle acrobatic teams, jugglers and clowns, along with performing elephants, camels, dogs and horses.
Special for 2009 is our award winning clown and world-renowned "King of Comedy" Alex, who will entertain you with hilarious high bounding feats on the trampoline.
Other show highlights include:
· Our Grand Spectacular Patriotic Parade, which features a “Salute to America” displaying beautiful hand made costumes and animal blankets.
· Aerial Artistry and Ballet Aloft -- the Ferrari Sisters from Argentina
· Wire Walking Wizard -- Fabio Farfan
· Canine Capers -- from the Ukraine, Datsenko's Delightful Doggies
· Mid-Air Motorcycle Madness -- A daring motorcycle ride up the wire while an acrobat performs suspended below. Nando & Nancy
· Daredevils of the Double Wheels of Destiny with astounding feats of balance and agility, blindfolded! -- the Fernandez family
· A Dazzling Display of Championship Hula Hoop Manipulation – Julie, Francesca and Vanessa
· The Master Of Body Manipulation -- Kevin Barnal Rios from Colombia
· Incredible Young Men and Women on the Trapeze -- The Flying Cavallini Family, featuring the triple somersault.
· Death defying high wire performers from South America -- the Herrera Troop
Millers Majestic Prancing Ponies - always a hit with children of all ages.
The world’s best elephant act performing under a big top!

Advance general admission 2 for 1 coupons for either children or adults, are being mailed to many local families in the area and will also be available at some local businesses and schools. These coupons are redeemable at the box office where two adult tickets are «Adult_ticket» and two children's (ages 2-11) are «Child_Ticket_» You may also choose to go online at www.carsonbarnescircus.com to save even more by printing and redeeming your own 2 for 1 coupons. The «Sponsor» will soon offer for advance sale only, a limited number of exclusive Family Tickets at $25.00. These tickets will admit up to 3 children and 2 adults for general admission seating. All tickets can be upgraded to preferred seating for an additional charge online or at the box office.

CARSON & BARNES IS OPEN! 2009


CARSON & BARNES IS OPEN!







Tuesday, March 24, 2009

PAT REITHOFFER'S SON IN ACCIDENT ON I75 IN GEORGIA


March 23, 2009
UPDATE: Name released of Florida teen killed in wreck

The name of a Florida teenager killed Sunday in a wreck on Interstate 75 near Perry has been released.
The victim was identified as 18-year-old Christi Denise Johnson, said Laswanda Davis, a Georgia State Patrol communications analyst. The victim’s name was initially withheld pending notification of family.
Johnson was driving a large GMC truck with a camper connected when she traveled off the road and flipped the camper, according to GSP Sgt. Leamon Hughes.
Passenger Ryan Edward Reithoffer, 20, was transported to The Medical Center of Central Georgia and was expected to recover from his injuries, Davis said.
The accident happened between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. near mile marker 135 and led to traffic being interrupted on I-75 for at least six hours. The wreck initially led to all three lanes being closed, with one being reopened about 3:30 p.m. Traffic wasn’t clear until about 9 p.m.
Staff Writer Natasha Smith contributed to this article.
From Macon.com

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