The Circus World LLC » Circus

Bandwagon

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:45:29 +0000

The Novemeber / December issue of the Circus Historical Society’s periodical, the Bandwagon, will be in the mail to all its members soon. The magazine is 70 pages long and in full color with numerous photographs and illustrations.

Anyone can join the Circus Historical Society by visiting their website at http://www.circushistory.org The Join Now button is easily found at the top. the application and Payment just takes a couple minutes. It will be well worth your time.

Jan. / Feb. 2009 Bandwagon

admin — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 02:20:01 +0000

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls……… Children of all ages, the Circus Historical Society proudly presents the Jan. / Feb. issue of the 53rd Annual Edition of the Bandwagon. Brought to you in full color, this issue is an amazing 48 pages long featuring a 26 page article about the Campbell Bros. Circus out of Fairbury, Nebraska, the life and times of legendary animal man, Frank C. Bostock, the story of Donald Burns, a New York animal trader and showman and much, much, more.

If you are a member of the Circus Historical Society, this exciting issue will be in your hands very soon. If you are not a member, then you are missing a huge part of Circus History. Go to the Official CHS website at http://www.circushistory.org/ Here you can find an application to join along with a simple on-line payment through Paypal. What a great way to get started in the new year with Circus History never told anywhere before. Get your copy of the Bandwagon, today!

Sept. / Oct. Bandwagon

admin — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:07:52 +0000

The Sept. / Oct. issue of the Circus Historical Society’s periodical, the Bandwagon is a stellar piece with full color re-productions of two window cards from the Sig Sautlette Shows 1911 season. Both window cards are 10 1/4″ x 14″ and were produced by the Erie Litho Co. They are in the Pfening archives. If you are not familiar with the Circus Historical Society, try their website at http://www.circushistory.org/ We are the only organization that reviews each show on the road every year. We are also using Paypal now so that your membership fee can be paid instantly and hassle free.

Winter sets in!

admin — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:34:57 +0000

Monday into Tuesday of this week saw winter set in with 9 inches of snow in downtown Baraboo, WI. Needless to say, it is beautiful. It did bring things to a halt for a day or so. This photo and 25 more are in the Baraboo News Republic found on line at http://www.wiscnews.com/bnr/

Erin Foley, the Archivist in the Robert Parkinson Research Library at Circus World Museum has started a Facebook page where she is trying to inform all of the things happening in the Library including her Holiday schedule. You can find her Facebook page for the Library at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=39029120941

Happy Holidays!

Paul & Dorothy Kelly farm in Peru, IN. Vandalized

admin — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:04:43 +0000

Dear friends,
It is with great sadness that I write to tell you of the tragedy that has occured at the Kelly Winterquarters in Peru, Indiana. Sometime last week vandals broke into the barns and smashed doors, windows, and basically trashed the place.
Dorothy is 93 and her son Eddie is in his 70’s and they don’t have the funds to even board up the damaged doors and windows to protect what is left of the barns from the upcoming winter.
This historical property was the last known winterquarters of the Cole Bros Circus (railroad show) and still has caging and artwork in the ring barn. Many famous Circus families spent time there in the winter practicing in the ring barns or the cat barn. There is hope that soon someone will take over and restore the place but that doesn’t help now.
I am writing to let everyone know that a fund has been established to help with the repairs or, at least, board up the place to help secure it through the winter.
Joey Kubesch, a dear friend of the Kelly’s, has set up an account to handle the Kelly’s repairs and is donating the labor. Any funds sent will be spent specifically on the repairs at the Kelly farm. Dorothy and Eddie will appreciate this so much, remember that no donation is too small! Anyone wishing to donate can send their donation to: Mrs. Joey Kubesch, Indiana Rural Preservation Council, 1325 S. Frances Slocum Trail, Peru, IN–46970

Circus World wagons on Parade

admin — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:03:40 +0000

The Circus World Museum’s wagon collection will be seen in several parades in the very near future again. Starting out at the Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, the grand United States Bandwagon will make a guest appearance again this year. The United States Bandwagon was originally built for the Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Shows in 1903 by the Bode Wagon Works. Ringling used it through 1918 and then combined with the Barnum & Bailey Show to still travel in 1919 and 1920. The wagon remained in storage in the Bridgeport, CT. winter quarters until 1927 when it was taken to the new Sarasota, Fl winter quarters. It was never used again. By 1950, it was in complete ruin with only a few carvings salvaged. When Circus World Museum decided to rebuild this grand Bandwagon, they utilized these few carvings to start the pattern and completely rebuilt this wagon from the ground up. What a beauty it is.

Circus World’s CEO Steve Freese tells me details are still being worked out for a Parade in Baraboo, WI. during the Christmas holidays. The huge extravaganza in Milwaukee next year is scheduled for July 12th with over 50 of the Museum’s wagons being taken to Milwaukee for the huge Great Circus Parade.

To learn more about the Circus World Museum and their Fantastic Circus Archives and Research Library plus the largest Circus Wagon collection in the world, go to http://circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org/ or contact them at: Address

Circus World Museum
550 Water St
Baraboo, WI 53913

Phone & Fax:
608-356-8341 (phone)
866-693-1500 (toll-free)

75th Annual Hadi Shrine Circus

admin — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 05:47:08 +0000

The Hadi Shrine Circus is gearing up for the 75th Annual return to Roberts Stadium in Evansville, Indiana in what is undoubtedly thee Finest Shrine Circus produced in America. The Hadi Shrine always has a huge array of Circus greats and this year is no exception. Not only will the tigers roar, the high flying trapeze artists will put your heart racing, the comedy of the Shriner clowns will be back and the ponderous performing pachyderms will put memories in you, you won’t be able to forget.

Sponge Bob Square Pants will be there along with Spider-man. Come early and ride the ponies and elephants. Tickets are on sale now for the Greatest Shrine Circus in America. Don’t Miss it!

PERFORMANCES:

Thursday Nov.27

Performances at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 28

Performances at 9:30 a.m., 2 p.m., and 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 29

Performances at 9:30 a.m., 2 p.m., and 7 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 30

Performance at 3 p.m.

Ticket Info

Order thru Hadi Shriners online: www.hadishrinecircus.com, by visiting their ticket booth at the corner of Walnut and Riverside in Evansville, or by calling 1-800-66-CLOWN.

Tickets also go on sale at Roberts Stadium on November 6^th. Seats are $20.00, $17.00, $15.00. General admission is available through the Hadi Shriners only.

Chicago passes “Watered Down” Elephant Bill

admin — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:19:54 +0000

Ald. Mary Ann Smith (48th) didn’t get what she wanted tonight when she half heartedly agreed to an elephant protection bill that was no where near what she wanted to see in Chicago. Her original request would have eliminated the use of an elephant management tool called an ankus that is used by every elephant Professional throughout the world including Zoos and the Circuses that visit Chicago.

Former Elephant trainer David Blasko stated the bull hook or ankus is a tool to guide and direct elephants, not to harm them with. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Vice-President of Operations, Tom Albert said “We take proper care of our elephants. We use the tool properly.”

“The animal can feel a bull hook just like a dog can feel a leash. Otherwise, it would serve no purpose. But, it’s not cruel if it’s used properly,” Blasko said.

Ald. Smith, whose bill was passed by a City Council committee Thursday, admitted she had to settle for a lesser Bill as she didn’t have the votes to pass the measure as she introduced it following her 2005 campaign to stop the use of elephants in Chicago.

Circus Historical Society, Inc.

admin — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:20:21 +0000

The Circus Historical Society, Inc.

Many of you may not know that a terrific organization exists that loves the History of the Circus. The Circus Historical Society is an International organization with about 750 members. Each member receives a copy of the journal, Bandwagon, six times a year. Each Bandwagon is full of articles about the old wagon shows, the railroad shows, the trucks shows, performers, the animals, and the Bandwagon is the ONLY journal that provides a full coverage of all shows that were on the road the previous year.

Members receive a beautiful certificate and membership card when they join. Our annual convention offers two days of Circus Presentations by some of the leading Historians in this country. We have a benefit auction of Circus memorabilia, and terrific banquet with a keynote speaker and a circus related event. The 2009 convention will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in conjunction with the Great Circus Parade on July 12th. Enjoy the Circus Historical Society website at http://circushistory.org which is updated daily. There you’ll find a wide array of Circus Routes from years gone by, Rosters, a synopsis of Bandwagon articles some of which can be viewed on-line and an application to join the Circus Historical Society,Inc. Don’t be left out of the greatest collection of Circus History ever captured by joining us today.

“FROM CANAL TO BROADWAY-50 YEARS OF CIRCUS”

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:56:01 +0000

( Printed with permission from the Circus City Festival Inc. )

Remember when Circus City Festival started out on the vacant lot. Remember
when we were able to move to a tent on Canal Street. Remember when in 1968
we performed in the circus building without a roof. In 1969 the building had
a roof, and we didn’t have to worry about the weather. Many changes have
occurred since the tent days. Many wonderful people have been a part of our
program. We are looking for those wonderful people.Circus City Festival will be doing a lot of remembering as we look forward
to our 50th anniversary. July 11 through July 18, 2009 will be our
anniversary celebration, and we would like to have as many former performers
as possible attend the celebration. We are also looking for former board
members and volunteers to add to our data base.

If you have worked with the circus in years past, please contact us with
your current information. If you know of someone who should be included,
please have them contact the circus office. We would like to see many
familiar faces in 2009.

To make contact with the circus office:

E-mail

perucirc@perucircus.com
Phone 765-472-3918
Fax 765-472-2826
154 N. Broadway
Peru, IN 46970