DETROIT SHRINE CIRCUS NEW HOME (FROM HARTLAND SMITH)

Here are some photos of the 2010 Detroit Area Moslem Temple Shrine Circus being held this year at the Hazel Park Raceway from March 18 through March 21. Tarzan Zerbini's TZ Productions has provided the equipment and performers for this season's show. These are pix taken March 14 and March 17 by my friend Rick. You are welcome to use them on your website if you care to.--Hart

IN AN OKLAHOMA TOWN, LIFE IS A THREE RING CIRCUS

Wednesday, March 3, 2010 Ft-Worth Star-Telegram
Carson & Barnes will start its season at the Irving Mall on March 19.

It will be at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth from April 1 to April 5.
Kelly Miller Circus will perform in White Settlement on March 16.
IN AN OKLAHOMA TOWN, LIFE IS A 3 RING CIRCUS
By STEVE CAMPBELL
sfcampbell@star-telegram.com

HUGO, Okla. -- The big top goes up and then down about 200 times a season as the Carson & Barnes Circus marches its menagerie in a nostalgic slow waltz across America.
Starting in Texas in mid-March, the traveling caravan of 24 semis, 18 RVs, elephants, roustabouts, high-wire artists, mechanics, animal trainers, clowns, a teacher and one extended family of more than 40 people will trek nearly all the way to the Canadian border in 60-mile increments.
In the fall, they follow the falling leaves back south. By mid-November, when owner Barbara Byrd starts to see smoke coming out of chimneys, she and her caravan of 130 or so circus people know it's time to take the elephants home.
At their winter quarters in Hugo, Okla., Santa Claus is waiting for a ride.
"In Hugo, Santa doesn't arrive on a sleigh -- he's elephant-powered," says Byrd, referring to the southeastern Oklahoma town's annual Christmas parade.
Since 1941, when a Hugo grocery store owner and avid circus fan persuaded Byrd's grandfather and father to move their winter headquarters from Mena, Ark., circuses have been an integral part of life in the town of about 5,000 just across the Red River from Paris. Two other tent-based circuses, the Kelly Miller Circus and the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, also spend the off-season here.
In "Circus Town U.S.A.," big-top themes are everywhere, blazed across the water tower, painted on school walls and memorialized in bronze statues in the county library.

HUGO ARTICLE PART 2

The man on the flying trapeze has his swings set up in his yard.
There's even a retirement home for elephants at the Endangered Ark Foundation, a 120-acre sanctuary for 26 elephants started in 1993 by Byrd's parents, DR and Isla Miller.
Retired showpeople like Dudley Hamilton, 81, meet for breakfast at The Circus Diner, where vintage circus memorabilia cover every available surface.
"Circuses are like the military. Everybody retires at their last posting," said Hamilton, who spent 25 years as an advance booking agent. "I was a Depression baby who was always fascinated by circuses. I still am, so this is a good place to be. There's about 100 retired circus people here. You won't find that just anywhere."
With circus roots going back nearly seven decades, the town also has a place of honor for departed acts, a section of the Mount Olivet Cemetery dubbed "Showmen's Rest." Stone elephants mark the circus section, and colorful epitaphs are carved into ornate monuments.
Big John Strong's towering tombstone says the former circus owner was "The man with more friends than Santa Claus."
Circus manager Ted Bowman's headstone succinctly sums it up with: "There's nothing left but empty popcorn sacks and wagon tracks -- the circus is gone."
Hamilton is still here, but his monument is in place and inscribed with: "May all your days be circus days."

HUGO ARTICLE PART 3

Circus families
More than 20 circuses have called Hugo home since 1941. During the 1950s, when about 200 troupes traveled the country, up to seven circuses wintered here at one time, says City Manager Dave Rawls, a former mayor who grew up in a circus family and owned the Kelly Miller Circus for 25 years before selling it in 2006.
Both sets of Rawls' grandparents were in the business. His father worked as a circus cowboy and trick rider, and his mother was a wire walker. One of his sisters was a trapeze performer, and he and his brother had a trampoline act. "Most people in the business were raised in the business," Rawls said.
That's certainly the case at Carson & Barnes.
Byrd, 63, grew up on the circus road with her parents, and now her two daughters, Kristin Parra, 34, and Traci Cavallini, 37, hit the trail each spring with their young children and an extended tribe of in-laws and relatives.
"We're proud of the fact that we are going into the fourth generation of management," Byrd said. "I sent them both to Texas for college, but they both came back to work in the circus."
Parra, a TCU graduate who is in charge of all the animal permits, says life as a circus kid "was the best way to grow up. You got a new playground in your back yard every day."
Educating their kids is one reason circus people cherish their permanent but part-time lives in Hugo.
"I loved traveling with the circus. But we were just like one of the kids in school," said Cavallini, who with her husband, Julio, handles concessions and the circus work force. For her young boys, living with an extended family in a fleet of RVs while seeing the country is "almost like a vacation every day," Cavallini said. "It's a wonderful way to grow up."
Hugo schools let circus kids take their books with them when they hit the road. About 20 children travel with Carson & Barnes and spend two hours a day with a teacher hired by the circus, Byrd said.
"Our kids are good students. They are cheerleaders and football stars," she said. "They just get to take more field trips."

CULPEPPER & MERRIWEATHER, ZIMMERMAN, MN 2009

Kelly Miller Phelps NY 2009 July 17 Messenger Post

The Spectacular Shrine Circus Returns to Metro Detroit March 18-21

Shrine Circus from March 18 – 21, 2010 at their brand new location, the Hazel Park Raceway.

The 102nd Shrine Circus will feature dazzling and breathtaking performances by acclaimed international acts that promises to be more marvelous, more astonishing than ever before.Join us under the big top for an action-packed experience, featuring mischievous elephants, prancing horses, flame-throwing gaucho dancers and the high-flying, death-defying Sun Chinese acrobats. Show times are as follows:Thursday, March 18, Friday, March 19 & Saturday, March 20:10:00 am, 4:00 pm, 7:00 pmSunday, March 21: 1:00 pm, 5:30 pm
"We are proud to be able to continue the tradition of the Shrine Circus in Metro Detroit, the home of the first Shrine Circus in the world," said Chuck Baer, Shrine Circus Director.
"The Big Top tent will offer a more intimate experience and give children and adults alike, an up-close and personal access to the acts that they’ve never had before.
" Children of all ages are welcome to marvel at the magnificent big top performances, and lose themselves in the whimsical sideline entertainment that includes cheery clowns, exotic elephant rides, face painting and moon bouncing.
Concessions are available throughout the performance.The new location at Hazel Park Raceway will include fenced, secured and lighted parking, a huge petting zoo, carnival attractions, and of course, the big show.
Tents will be heated, handicap accessible and have first class amenities.
The Detroit Shrine Circus dates back to 1908 when it was held at the Light Guard Armory, located at Larned and Lafayette in downtown Detroit. Tickets are on sale now at www.detroitshrinecircus.com.
Prices range from $15 - $30 when purchased online and the box office.
Discounted tickets are available at select local retailers, including Hungry Howie’s.
For more information please visit www.detroitshrinecircus.com.
Hazel Park Raceway is located on the corner of 10 Mile Road and Dequindre and accessible from area freeways.

RINGLING GOLD TO PLAY SALISBURY, MD

April 1-4, 2010 - Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey presents Illuscination

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Illuscination, a fantasy-filled world where magic and daring create the most unexpected experiences.

Join Illuscinator David DaVinci as he takes audiences to a world that combines thrills and wonderment with the outlandish fun of the circus.
The action at Illuscination begins an hour before show time at the All Access Pre-show – FREE to all ticket holders, where you can meet Ringling Bros. performers and animals, learn circus skills and start creating a lifetime of memories for your family before the show even starts! At this edition of The Greatest Show On Earth®, you’ll watch closely and wonder endlessly. Satisfy your curiosity and get your ticket today.

Show Dates and Times: Thurs. April 1 7:30pm (Opening Night Tickets are only $12!)*

Friday April 2 10:30am and 7:30pm

Sat. April 3 11:00am, 330pm and 7:30pm

Sun. April 4 at 3:00pm
*Offer applies to $14 and $21 price level only and applies to Opening Night, Thurs. April 1st • No double discounts. Offer subject to ticket availability • Service charges, facility and handling fees may apply • Limit 6 tickets per order

In conjunction with a two-year celebration of the 200th anniversary of P.T. Barnum’s birth, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® is pleased to announce the launch of The Barnum Award, which honors the spirit of the founder of The Greatest Show On Earth® and his inspirational contributions to society by identifying and celebrating children who give back to their own communities in creative, fun, and innovative ways.
The Wicomico Youth & Civic Center is pleased to announce that Salisbury, MD is one of more than 75 cities throughout the United States selected to participate in the program. Nominations for children from Salisbury and the surrounding area can be made online at http://www.thebarnumaward.com/ . Nominations can be made now through March 19, 2010.

The Barnum Award program is designed to recognize and support children ages six to 14, who have created social good and enriched their local community through their own inventive and pioneering actions. Local Barnum Award recipients will be chosen by a panel of distinguished local luminaries including County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., WMDT-47 News Anchor Katherine Amenta and Professor of Psychology at Salisbury University and co-author of A Glorious Revolution for Youth and Communities: Service-Learning and Model Communities George Whitehead.

Nominees will be judged on the impact of their accomplishments, creativity and innovation, and their inspiration to others relating to their cause. Nominators are required to be over the age of 21, and must fill out a short online questionnaire about the child they feel is making a difference in the community.
Three award recipients will be chosen from the Salisbury area. The Gold Barnum Award Recipient will receive a medallion and a $1,000 grant, the Silver Barnum Award Recipient will receive a medallion and a $750 grant, and the Bronze Barnum Award Recipient will receive a medallion and a $500 grant. Grants are to be used to fund future community service endeavors. Additionally, all three award recipients will be honored at a pre-show award ceremony during the opening night performance of The Greatest Show On Earth® at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center on April 1, 2010. They and their families will also be invited to stay and enjoy the show.

For more information about The Barnum Award and how to nominate a child who is making a difference in our community, visit http://www.thebarnumaward.com/ . For show-related information regarding the April 1-4, 2010 performances of Ringling Bro. and Barnum & Bailey’s Illuscination at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, please visit http://www.wicomicociviccenter.org/ or call 410-548-4911.

From the Wicomico Civic Center website

KITCHEN MAGICIAN (SAN DIEGO 2010)

Click on each image to enlarge!

JORDAN WORLD CIRCUS 2010 ALBUQUERQUE PROGRAM

Don't forget: Click on each item to enlarge and read!

WALLACE BROS CIRCUS (1941)

NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING

TIM FRISCO PRESENTS---

ASTROLAND CLASSIC AD

Christmas is coming early this year for guests and fans of Idlewild & SoakZone as the Royal Hanneford Circus will return during the park’s 2010 season.
The Royal Hanneford Circus last visited Idlewild & SoakZone back in 1997 and from the day they left our guests have never stopped asking for the circus to return. We’re thrilled to bring the circus back to Idlewild – summer can’t come fast enough!
The Circus will take place June 12, 2010 – August 22, 2010 with three shows running daily Friday through Monday and two shows daily Tuesday through Thursday. Guests will be able to enjoy the circus under a big top tent behind Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood of Make-Believe.
Family owned and operated, the Royal Hanneford Circus is sure to be a special treat for families and children of all ages. Tentative acts and performances include comical clowns, quick change artists, and daring acrobats such as the Flying Fernandes Family performing exciting, top of the tent, aerial acrobatics on a giant rotating Space Wheel and more.
Ligonier, PA
Just off PA Turnpike near New Stanton

INTERESTING!

http://www.coneyislandhistory.org/

Astroland Owner to Sell Rides, at Last

By: Chris Rovzar

Ever wanted to buy a giant swinging pirate ship? Some bumper cars for your Williamsburg loft, perhaps? A Tilt-A-Whirl? Well, you may get your chance.

The former owner of the Astroland amusement park out in Coney Island has finally given up on seeing her fantasy land rise again. Carol Albert, who will return to Coney this summer to run the Cyclone roller coaster as always, tells the Post that it's finally hit her that the incoming Luna Park, selected by the city to replace Astroland when they bought the land under it in 2008, is inevitable, and she's not likely to find another place in the city to erect the 22 rides she's kept in storage just in case.

"It seems unlikely" that the city will help her find another spot along the boardwalk out there to rebuild the park, she said.

Astroland was built in 1962 as a "space age" theme park, but anyone who'd been there in recent years knew it as a blast straight to the past.

The new Luna Park, which features nineteen state-of-the-art rides designed by Italian Antonio Zamperla, will open to the delight of children and freaks all over the city on Memorial Day.

Astroland Amusement Park has closed to make way for developers, but fortunately the legendary Cyclone roller coaster still stands strong. The landmark (and wooden) ride may take a mere two-minutes-and-30 seconds to experience, but don’t let that fool you. Its 80-foot 60-degree jaw-dropping drop was described by Charles Lindbergh as "more thrilling than flying solo across the Atlantic.

RINGLING GOLD RETURNING TO CONEY ISLAND! (FROM MIKE NAUGHTON)

Wednesday, March 17th 2010, 4:00 AM

BY Erin Durkin
DAILY NEWS WRITER
After months of wrangling, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus has struck a deal to return to Coney Island this summer.
"We're very excited to have the circus back. It's a great draw," said Councilman Dominic Recchia (D-Coney Island), who said the show would run from June through Labor Day.
Ringling Brothers will pitch tents on the same W. 21st St. lot where it made a Coney debut last summer.
The show drew thousands to the faded seaside mecca, but its return was cast into doubt as the circus and landlord Taconic Investment Partners squabbled over money - and what to do with the school buses parked on the lot under a separate lease with Taconic.
Ringling Brothers officials, who had expected to have return plans finalized by last fall, threatened to take their show on the road if there was no deal by this month.
Under the new agreement, the buses will be moved to a city-owned lot on W. 29th St.
Circus officials declined to comment before papers were signed to make the deal official, but they previously promised that if they were able to come to Coney, they'd put on a brand new show called "Illuscination."
"It's a really fun show," Steve Yaros, vice president of Ringling Brothers' parent company, Feld Entertainment, said last month. "We have an illusionist, who's our ringmaster, who ... makes people and animals and things disappear and reappear."
"We also have an amazing lion act, which we haven't had in a few years," he said, adding there were also "some pretty amazing Chinese acrobats."
Recchia said a highlight would be a chance for city kids to check out circus animals up close before the show. "It gives them something that they read about and see in movies," he said.
The circus will join a new Luna Park, with 19 rides made by Italian amusement giant Zamperla, at the other end of the Boardwalk. Officials hope to make "The Greatest Show on Earth" an annual Coney attraction.
"With the circus and Zamperla, we've got a doubleheader this year on Coney Island," said Coney Island USA founder Dick Zigun. "I'm thrilled."

From The New York Daily News

CAVALIA HORSE SHOW at FL State Fairgrounds

HOW TO CELEBRATE ST PATRICK'S DAY!

ROUTE CARDS

GEORGE MATTHEWS CIRCUS

NEWSPAPER ADS

IRISH CIRCUS

CELTIC THUNDER

CIRCUS BARTOK 1969