Raising of the Big Apple Circus tent in Manville. (Ed Pagliarini / MyCentralJersey)By PAMELA SROKA-HOLZMANN • STAFF WRITER • September 17, 2010
MANVILLE, NJ — The big-top is up for Thursday's arrival of the Big Apple Circus for a nearly three-week performance schedule.
On Friday, a 35-member Big Apple Circus crew hoisted the big-top tent at the Rustic Mall in anticipation of the opening-day performance on Thursday.The Big Apple Circus is beginning its 33rd season, titled "Dance On!" About 150 members of the circus are taking their show to the property off South Main Street twice a day, five days a week, starting Thursday and continuing through Oct. 11.The thick vinyl white tent with yellow stars was made by Canobbio S.p.a. in Castelnuovo Scrivia, Italy. The tent is 63 feet high at it peak, has a circumference of 440 feet, is 140 feet in diameter, and can seat more than 1,700 people, each within a 50-foot view of the ring.The big-top tent has four, 50-foot masts, each weighing between 2,300 and 2,600 pounds, which are suspended into a 12-sided cupola frame with a diameter of 50 feet, said circus spokesman Phil Thurston. The masts are moved into an upright position by electric motors and lots of manpower, he said.About 98 side poles measuring 16-feet in height support the periphery of the tent, Thurston said, noting the crew takes hours to raise the tent. He said the masts and tent are tied to 194 stakes.The tent is air-conditioned in warm weather and heated in cold for all-season performances, Thurston said. Deconstructing the tent top for the show's next gig is easier — about three hours are required, not including the removal of seating, lighting and the sound system, he said.
PamelaSroka-Holzmann:http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20100917/NEWS/9170338/-1/breakingnews/Big+Apple+Circus+big-top+now+up+in+Manville
IF YOU GOWHAT: Big Apple Circus Presents "Dance On!''
WHEN: Opening night 7 p.m. Thursday.Sept. 23.
WHERE: Rustic Mall, intersection of Washington and South Main Streets, Manville.
HOW MUCH:Tickets range from $15 to $50; parking is free at Rustic Mall site.
CONTACT INFO: 1-888-541-3750 or 800-922-3772; www.bigapplecircus.org.
Tickets also can be bought at the box office at the Rustic Mall from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today to Monday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Friday.
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