THE BALLOON MAN

Let the spectacle begin: Circus World performance season filled with new acts

Rider Heidi Herriott and her dancing quarter horse, Lady Dancer, return to the place she began her circus career when the performance season begins May 21 at the Circus World state historic site. Also appearing will be trick dogs, aerial acts, an acrobatic couple who perform a hand balancing act, illusionist Tristan Crist and clowns. Brian D. Bridgeford / News Republic Brian D. Bridgeford, Baraboo News Republic Tuesday, April 5, 2011 The new performance season at Baraboo's Circus World historic site promises to be exciting with the return of a horse-and-rider act, trapeze artist, acrobats, magician and clowns, says the performance director. The Circus World grounds and exhibits will open to the public April 18. The performance season will begin May 21, said David SaLoutos, who performs as the circus' singing ringmaster.

One bright spot this year is the return of trick rider Heidi Herriott, who began her performance career at Circus World during the 1960s, he said. "We haven't had horses for a number of years here at Circus World, and a female equestrian in particular," SaLoutos said. An added element that is expected to boost interest is the new circus movie "Water for Elephants," featuring Reese Witherspoon in the lead role as a circus equestrian. The film will premiere April 22. The museum provided historic circus wagons, photographs, documents and advice to the filmmakers. Circus World is preparing to open an exhibit on the movie next month, SaLoutos said. Herriott said her parents were animal trainers and performers at Circus World. It gave her and her three sisters a chance to perform in a variety of ways. "My parents had performing animals and we assisted with the animal acts," she said. "I used to ride the elephants; we had little pony carts." "For us, it's where we started performing in little ways," she said. "Then my parents got a chance to perform with Ringling Brothers, the largest circus in the country, and it took us away from Baraboo. read more at:http://www.wiscnews.com/baraboonewsrepublic/news/local/article_889ebf6c-5f48-11e0-81c3-001cc4c002e0.html