THE BALLOON MAN

Circus is in town
Shows will benefit Grand Theater project

HERE COME THE ELEPHANTS — John Walker III, a fifth-generation animal trainer with the Carson and Barnes Circus, prepared to unload his two female Asian elephants this morning at the Fort Steuben Mall. The circus will have shows today at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the mall parking lot as part of a fundraiser for the Grand Theater restoration project. - Dave Gossett
July 9, 2012
By DAVE GOSSETT - Staff writer (dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.) , The Herald-Star
STEUBENVILLE - Sarah Krupinski stood on the sidewalk with her grandfather as the circus trucks pulled into the Fort Steuben Mall parking lot this morning.

"That man has a beautiful husky, but I can't wait to see the elephants," the 7-year-old said.

"We will be coming back later with the rest of the family to see the show," promised Sarah's grandfather, Jerry Krupinski.

The elephants were still in their trailer this morning waiting for the set-up boss to arrive to arrange the trucks for today's two shows by the Carson and Barnes Circus.

John Walker III, a fifth-generation animal trainer, coaxed his two female Asian elephants to pose for a photo.

"This one is Kelly. She weighs 9,000 pounds, and this elephant is Viola. She weighs 10,000 pounds. These elephants are part of my family," he explained.

The Carson and Barnes Circus arrived at the Fort Steuben Mall this morning and immediately started unloading the petting zoo animals and making them comfortable for their one-day visit.

"Our trucks rolled into the city early this morning after a three-day stay in Washington, Pa., and our 125-member traveling staff immediately started setting up for the two shows today," explained Barbara Miller-Byrd, co-owner of the circus.
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