Lancaster County Girl Crowned as 2012 Pennsylvania Fair Queen

Drew An Brubaker of Strasburg, Lancaster County was crowned 2012 Pennsylvania Fair Queen and Amanda Mitcheltree of New Castle, Lawrence County was named first runner-up by judges Dennis S. Hazzard of Harrington, Del., Dr. James Howe of Oley, Pa., and Becky Brashear of Frederick, Md., on Saturday, Jan. 21.
By Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Published: Monday, Jan. 23, 2012-

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 23, 2012 -- /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Drew An Brubaker of Lancaster has been crowned the 2012 Pennsylvania Fair Queen. She was crowned Jan. 21 at the annual joint convention of the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs and Pennsylvania State Showmen's Association.
"Pennsylvania fairs are a celebration of our state's rich agricultural heritage," said Agriculture Secretary George Greig. "The 57 contestants in this program are the faces of the fairs and are exceptional ambassadors for our industry."
Brubaker, daughter of Andrew and Pamela Brubaker, is a 17-year-old senior at Lampeter-Strasburg High School. She is involved in the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Students, student tutoring, choir, swing dance club, school musicals and the school newspaper, among other activities. She works at Meck's Produce, is active in her church and enjoys reading and song-writing.
Brubaker, representing the West Lampeter Fair, received a $2,000 scholarship from the state fair association and was crowned by outgoing Pennsylvania Fair Queen Claire Werkiser of Chester County.
Each contestant prepared a brief speech highlighting the activities at her county or community fair. They also wrote an essay about the fair's personal significance in their life and local community. Each individual also gave a stage introduction during the fair convention annual banquet and interviewed with three judges.
The contestants are evaluated on their public speaking skills and knowledge of the agricultural industry, as well as on their poise and personal presentation in an evening gown competition.
Five finalists were chosen and gave an impromptu answer on the legacy they would like to leave at the end of their reign as fair queen. read more here:http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/23/4208915/lancaster-county-girl-crowned.html

Thrilling night out at the circus

Chinese State Circus in their new 2012 show Yin Yang

from: www.belpernews.co.uk

Published on Monday 23 January 2012

The incomparable Chinese State Circus proudly presents their UK premiere Yin Yang, visiting the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham on January 30 and 31.
The highly-awaited return of China’s greatest circus features the first UK appearance of the formidable Shaolin Warrior known only as “The One”, sourced specifically by director Phillip Gandey.
This unique extravaganza showcases only the best in entertainment. Witness acrobats defying gravity in an array of elaborate, explosive and highly choreographed presentations of power, poise and agility.
Yin Yang will not only keep the audience on the edge of their seats but show the more delicate and beautiful side of Chinese tradition with the silk aerial act, parasol juggling, eye catching Lion Dance and the amazing legendary Bicycle Act in which ten talented artistes manoeuvre onto a single bicycle.
Witness the unpredictable and exhilarating twists of foot juggling with drums, the famous Chinese poles, the sensational contortionist and the dynamic hoop divers with their amazing somersaults, leaps and jumps which all go towards completing this action packed programme.Every sensational act flows together without narrative and accompanied by a captivating and atmospheric all-girl group of live musicians.
Suitable for an audience of all ages, with evocative sets, soaring musical score and extravagant new costumes that will entertain the entire family long after the final curtain falls.
Don’t miss this stunning production that features the most daring, breathtaking and thrilling artistes to tour the UK.

Fun at the circus

Close encounter : The clowns with the ghost! Photo: R. Ravindran
from: www.thehindu.com

by Madhumitha Srinivasan

Jan 23, 2012

The Great Bombay Circus is in town, again. The shows are entertaining as well as performances of skills.It's a world that many of you would have read about, dreamt of its grandeur and even fantasised about being a part of it. In the city many had the opportunity to witness its magic first-hand. The Great Bombay Circus!
Here's some history. It was Baburao Kadam who founded the Grand Bombay Circus in 1920 which was later renamed the Great Bombay Circus when K.M. Kunhikannan the artist and founder of the Whiteway and Hind Lion Circuses merged in 1947.
This circus has entertained many a big names like the King Mahendra of Nepal and his queen, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, former Tamil Nadu chief minister and actor M.G. Ramchandaran and more. The Great Bombay Circus has also been the setting for films like “Krish”, “Don” starring Amitabh Bachchan and was also recently seen in the film “7am Arivu” where actor Surya plays the role of a circus artist. In fact, the circus had a performance by a cycle artist who, it was announced, had trained Surya for his role.

The show kick-started with a trampoline act and was followed by juggling, a parade, acts on hoop-shaped swings suspended in the air, acrobatics by African artists, whip act by Russian artists, trapeze acts and many more.
No circus is complete without the clowns. They managed to tickle the funny bone every now and then with their goof-ups and tricks. The children in the audience were in awe of the daredevil stunts performed by the artists and laughed the hardest when the clown's pants came off mid air or when he was chased by a “ghost”.
According to their website, the circus now has around 300 employees including 30 male artists, 60 female artists, 40 administrative staff and 180 support staff. When you see them at work on stage and behind the scenes erecting the props and sets with clock-work precision, you realise there's more than just magic — it's more about hard work, team work and a passion for the circus.

BILL PRICKETT VISITS--

CARSON & BARNES CIRCUS WINTERQUARTERS

04/14/1995

PART I

#1 Sign on wagon at corner.

I visited Carson & Barnes Circus winterquarters in Hugo, Ok.

#2 Area to the sign wagon.

#3 Storage area at the same corner.

#4 Press Office

#5 Paint Shop

#6 Mechanic's Shop

#7 Horse Barn

#8 Elephant Barn.

More Pictures comming in Part II

FROM: MIKE NAUGHTON--

Charles Chipperfield Circus in Malta



Uploaded by rebeccachipp on Dec 7, 2011

Flying trapeze at the Charles Chipperfield Circus in Malta

Ms. Cheap: Early bird gets cheap seats for circus

The Human Fuse is among the sights to behold at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus taking place Thursday through Sunday at Bridgestone Arena. / submitted

from: www.tennessean.com

Jan. 23, 2012

The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus will be at the Bridgestone Arena Thursday through Sunday and the best deal is to go to the 7 p.m. opening night show, when most tickets are half price. It means you can get tickets for $7.50 - $13 plus tax and fees, and see the same show that folks will be paying twice as much to see later in the run.
The other good deal is that kids can get tickets for $12 for the Friday performance at 10:30 a.m. by using the code KIDS12. Either way, it is cheaper to get your tickets at the Bridgestone Box Office than to go through Ticketmaster.Also, every time the circus comes to town, people want to know when the circus elephant walk from the train to the arena will be. Well, I can’t say for sure but it is tentative scheuduled for 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. I should have updated information Wednesday morning so check my blog at tennessean.com/mscheap or see my Ms. Cheap facebook then to see what I have

FROM MIKE NAUGHTON--

On the road again - Komt dat zien! - Circus Knie #01 (1989)



ON THE ROAD AGAIN (circus Knie in Switzerland)
A circus travels through the Alps. This is the story of the Knie Circus, touring Switzerland by rail nine months of the year. Every two or three days they pack up and move their show to somewhere else along the line. A smoothly run organization in which people, elephants, lamas and horses all know their places and their tasks. See how it's done!

'Circus' exhibit extended

Penobscot Marine Museum has extended its winter exhibit, "The Circus Comes to Town," through the end of February. courtesy Penobscot Marine Museum

Jan 22, 2012

Searsport — Penobscot Marine Museum has extended "The Circus Comes to Town" for another month. The free exhibit of circus models, art, photography and memorabilia will be open every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Feb. 26.
The heart of the exhibit is The Bex Bros. Circus, a complete circus scene comprised of thousands of scale models depicting every element of a traditional circus including sideshows, clowns, trapeze artists and animal acts. Also on display are circus posters; circus art by Maine artists Alan Fishman, Nancy Morgan-Barnes and the late Waldo Peirce; and circus images from the museum's own collections of historic photography.
"The Circus Comes to Town" was scheduled to close at the end of January, but the exhibit's popularity on most winter weekends encouraged the museum to obtain an extension of the loan of The Bex Bros. Circus from its owner and creator, Capt. Les Bex of Camden. The exhibit is in the museum's Main Street Gallery at 40 E. Main St./Route 1. Admission is free

YOUR SAY: Circus animals are fine

Animal trainer Matthew Ezekiel with 11-year-old Caesar. Pic: JILL MITCHELL

by Lisa Edgerton

from: http://frankston-leaderwhereilive.com.au

23 Jan 12

A RINGMASTER has defended his circus after activists slammed the the show’s use of exotic animals.
Animals Australia members distributed more than 1000 flyers across Frankston and the peninsula during the circus’s visit to Hastings last week to rally support for their bid to stop shows like this one, which include animals such as lions and monkeys.
The flyers stated that keeping animals in circuses “served no educational or conservational purpose”.
But Stardust Circus ringmaster Adam St James said his animals “had a great life and had bigger enclosures than in zoos”.
“These people are radicals ... they can’t discriminate if they haven’t seen for themselves how well these animals are treated and protected,” Mr St James said.
“We put the safety and comfort of the animals, as well as humans, first.
“We have never had any cases of abuse or neglect and we get regular checks.”
Mr St James said the circus’s three lions were the 20th generation to be born at Stardust.

Denise Helliwell says using exotic animals at the circus is not natural.
Hastings Animals Australia spokeswoman Denise Helliwell, who visited the circus on the Hastings Foreshore last week, said it was not natural.
“What’s the point other than for us to sit and stare and laugh at them while they do things they don’t want to do,” Ms Helliwell said.
“These kinds of circuses should have died years ago.”
RSPCA spokesman Tim Pilgrim said that while the association was against animal circuses, there was no law to stop them.
“Exotic animals should not be used for entertainment purposes, but it’s not illegal,” Mr Pilgrim said.
“Lions aren’t designed to jump through hoops and be caged.”

$5M lottery winner from Walden, N.Y., moving to Georgia

Michael Randall

from: www.recordonline.com

01/23/12

Former (as of Jan. 14) Big Apple Circus concession worker Donnie Hayes came to Walden the same time the circus set up its Slifka Family Creative Center in the village, around 1997.
Now that he's scored a $5 million ($3.3 million after taxes) jackpot from a New York State Lottery scratch-off game, Hayes will be moving on, buying a house in Georgia to be near his sister, who's his only family.
But aside from having more bucks in his bank account, he's pretty much the same Donnie Hayes who moved to the area 15 years ago. At the news conference last Wednesday where he was formally presented with his prize, the low-key Hayes kept his composure, even when high-wattage Lottery presenter Yolanda Vega got close to him for a photo opportunity.
"I guess this is what happens when you have money," Hayes deadpanned.
For the record, he's well thought of by his former employers, who are wishing him well in his new life.
"He will certainly be missed," said Joel Dein, the circus's director of communications. "I can't think of a more deserving person."

http://www.froglegfestival.com/

January 19-22, 2012

MENU
Frog Leg Dinner: $9.00

Includes Grits, Cole Slaw and Hush Puppies.
Frog Leg Sampler: $11.00

One Pound of Frog Legs Only No Sides.
Gator Tail
Gator & Frog Leg Dinner: $14.00

Includes Grits, Cole Slaw and Hush Puppies.
Gator Sampler: $13.00

One Pound of Gator Only No Sides.

Dinner HoursThursday & Friday 4-9pmSaturday 10AM-9PMSunday 11AM-6PM

NANCY & LARRY SNYDER

VISIT THE

2012 FELLSMERE FROG LEG FESTIVAL

FRIDAY JANUARY 20, 2012

I had the "pleasure" of playing this one back in 1997.

Gene Chaffe's Amusements of Buffalo had the midway that year.

I helped my friend Wayne Chambers in a Mini-Basketball game.
This year the midway is produced by Meyers International, from
Gibsonton.

Ringling Bros. Presents DRAGONS - Hatching Something BIG pt.3 - The Reveal!


Uploaded by ringlingbros on Jan 17, 2012

For the first time in circus history, myth and majesty will share the arena during this must-see family event that can only be witnessed at The Greatest Show On Earth®!

Experience circus spectacles so incredible that once again you will believe in the unbelievable! Dragon tribes from the far reaches of the earth are brought together in a single performance, displaying their breathtaking skills in a circus tournament of champions. Each tribe must prove that they have virtues of Courage, Strength, Wisdom and Heart to arouse dragons which appear right before your very eyes! Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime family event when The Greatest Show On Earth brings the world together... to bring your family together!

CC Fairboard attends annual state convention

January 22, 2012

Salem News
COLUMBUS- The Columbiana County Fairboard recently attended the 87th annual Ohio Fair Managers Convention held Jan. 4 through 8 in Columbus. County fairs from across the state participated in workshops and seminars sharing ideas and gathering information on promoting and improving their respective events.
Columbiana County Fairboard members who attended the event included Don Humphrey Jr., fairboard president; Tresa Hall, secretary/treasurer; and the board of directors, Owen Unkefer, Paul Lease, Robin Houlette, John Wolf, Brenda Smallwood, Bob Stark, Elmer Zimmerman, Lynnelle Thompson-Zimmerman, Sharen Cope, Tom Moore and Bob Crosser.
One of the highlights of the week was the Ohio Fairs Queen Contest. Queens from each county fair across the state were invited to participate and compete for the title of the 2012 Ohio Fairs Queen. Nicole Richey, daughter of Tom and Cindy Richey of East Palestine, the 2011 Columbiana County Fair 4-H queen, represented Columbiana County in the Queen's Social, the interviews and the pageant on Thursday evening.
The Columbiana County Junior Fairboard members were also in attendance on Saturday, Junior Fair Day, which had record-breaking attendance. There were 1,134 Junior Fair members from across the state that attended workshops and sessions throughout the day. They also enjoyed the privilege of listening to the featured keynote address speaker at the Grand General Session, Terry Bowden, who was recently hired as the new head coach of the Akron Zips football team.

Billy Rose's 'Jumbo' (1962) Trailer -

Doris Day, Stephen Boyd, Jimmy Durante & Martha Raye



Trailer - Billy Rose's 'Jumbo' (1962) Doris Day, Stephen Boyd, Jimmy Durante & Martha Raye

All over the map

From: jsonline.com

January 21, 2012
Baraboo: "Hannah Crist Variety Show Fundraiser." Last fall, Circus World trapeze artist Hannah Crist took a tumble that put her in the hospital and in need of extensive physical therapy. On Saturday at 7 p.m., performers from the circus world, magicians, jugglers and musicians will put on a show, the proceeds from which will go to help Crist with her medical bills. It will be held in the Al Ringling Theatre, 136 4th Ave. General admission tickets are $10 and are available at Circus World, 5050 Water St., or at the theater. Donations are also welcome. Call (608) 356-8864 or see circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org for additional information.

Bachmann Trains Create Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey

Circus Model Train Toy

Jan - 21 2012 Kerin Peel

Bachmans Trains are making model versions of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus trains.
I think adults as well as children will enjoy the Bachman’s G-Scale and HO Scale trains. These train sets bring back the excitement and wonderment of yesteryear. Back in in the days before television, circuses were a big form of entertainment. There were circuses that would come to small towns where there wasn’t many other kinds of entertainment.
Here is the official press release:
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus Rides the Rails With Bachmann Trains
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The world-famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus has partnered with Bachmann Trains to let you experience all the excitement of The Greatest Show On Earth® as it travels by rail with two vintage ready-to-run electric train sets. A G-Scale train set (Item No. 90083; MSRP $575.00) comes complete with a 4-6-0 steam locomotive (with operating headlight, smoke, and speed-synchronized sound), coal tender, performers’ car, elephant stock car, flat car with lion in cage wagon and tiger in cage wagon, 8′ 2″ x 4′ 3″ oval of track, and DVD-format video instructions. Bachmann’s HO scale Ringmaster train set (Item No. 00714; MSRP $225.00) includes an 0-6-0 steam locomotive and tender with operating headlight, three cars, body-mounted E-Z Mate® couplers, and 47″ x 38″ oval of snap-fit E-Z Track®. Both sets include a power pack and speed controller plus illustrated instruction manual. Whether you choose G or HO scale, see Bachmann at Booth 673 to enjoy a trainload of circus fun with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and Bachmann.
Bachmann products include a wide selection of additional sets, separate sale items, and accessories in N, HO, O, On30 and Large Scale. Bachmann offers the most extensive line of model railroading products in the industry and is the best-selling model train company in the world. Their home office phone for inquiries anytime during the year is 215-533-1600, or visit their website at http://www.bachmanntrains.com/.

About Feld Entertainment®:
Feld Entertainment® is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment’s productions have appeared in more than 70 countries on six continents and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Feld Motor Sports®, Disney On Ice, and Disney Live!
SOURCE Bachmann Trains