cole show

Billy Martin’s Cole All-Star Circus in Oneida


Dispatch Staff Photo by JOHN HAEGER
Trapeze artist Angela performs above the center ring during the Billy Martin’s Cole All-Star Circus on Sunday, Jan. 27 at the Oneida High School
from: oneidadispatch.com
By Michael Yeoman,Contributing Writer
January 28, 2013
ONEIDA — Celebrating its 75th anniversary of providing entertainment to all ages, Billy Martin’s Cole All-Star Circus thrilled near capacity crowds for three performances Sunday at the Oneida High School.
Sunday’s circus featured a variety of crowd-pleasing acts including returning favorites like Slinko. Martin said this year’s circus had an international flare with performers from around the globe.

Dispatch Staff Photo by JOHN HAEGER
Circus goers watch as trapeze artist Angela performs above the center ring during the Billy Martin’s Cole All-Star Circus on Sunday, Jan. 27 at the Oneida High School
The Rinnys, from Argentina, returned with their sensational cycling act. Johnathan Rinny gave the crowd a thrill as he spun around the circus ring on a five-wheel-high unicycle he had to climb onto with the aid of a 10-foot step ladder.
The Fausto Scorpions, a family of acrobats from the Philippines, got the crowd involved as several members of the audience were randomly selected to have a role in their performance.

 

Dispatch Staff Photo by JOHN HAEGER
 A unicyclist performs during the Billy Martin’s Cole All-Star Circus on Sunday, Jan. 27 at the Oneida High School
Eight-year-old Justin Birmingham of Verona was awestruck with the glitz and glitter of trapeze artist Angela. “I was afraid she was going to fall when she spun around in the air by her neck,” Justin said.
Billy Martin began his career with the Cole Circus after graduating from high school in 1977. During his 36-year tenure, he has performed juggling acts, served as ringmaster, and was even James Cole’s right hand man. When Cole retired in 1988, Martin continued the tradition of putting together a fun, family-oriented form of entertainment.
Martin recalled coming to Oneida the year he started with the Cole Circus. “We always get a great response from the community when we come to Oneida,” Martin said. He remembered that in the beginning, the Kiwanis Club was the host of the event, but the Zonta Club has taken over that function in recent years.
”The circus is a major fundraiser for the Zonta Club and our local high school Z-Club,” said Rita Raicht, Zonta chairperson for the event.
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http://oneidadispatch.com/articles/2013/01/28/news/doc510580160491a966961998.txt