THE BALLOON MAN

ROYAL AMERICAN CIRCUS 1996

FROM: BILL PRICKETT

Royal American Circus showed 4-05-96, in Pekin, Il. (my hometown), at the indoor ice arena in Pekin Park. The temperature inside was
chilly, but the reception was warm from the almost full house for the first show. Show carries their own concession dept.- popcorn,
snow cones, cold drinks, and novelty stand. Along one side,some seating was provided by show bleachers, but the other side utilized
seats of the ice arena. Miniature horse rides were offered before the show, and did a great business. Also photo session with the
snakes at intermission. Coloring book pitch by Ray MacMahon. One of the acts was Tanya Herrmann and her unrideable mule, assisted
by Mike Donoho, and Tanya's bareback riding. Tanya and Mike worked seven weeks with Ray and then left the next day to join Bentley
Bros Circus in Deming, NM. Another horse act would replace them.
ALL PICTURES TO FOLLOW WERE TAKEN BY BILL PRICKETT
PEORIA, IL