Here's the Circus!

Do you remember the last time, or the first time, you went to the Circus?

My first, and I think, only time at a real circus was back in college.  The radio station I worked for gave away tickets and staff were able to use some of them.  A good friend who lived on my floor went with me to see the Ringling Brothers - Barnum and Bailey Circus at Veterans Auditorium in downtown Des Moines.

Just as the elephant parade began, Yasin leaned over to tell me that was his usual ride to school.  I knew he was from Tanzania, so for all this Wisconsin boy knew, maybe he did.  Which is when I saw the start of a smile followed by a laugh.

We enjoyed the spectacle play out in the three rings before us and had a memorable night at the circus.

At the time, I may have been aware the Greatest Show on Earth had roots in south central Wisconsin; but after a visit to Circus World Museum I learned a lot more about it.

The traveling circus was one of the early forms of entertainment for the masses.  In colorful wagons, hundreds of performers, roadies, and behind the scenes workers came in town with a parade to set up their tents, only to leave after the show for the next town.

Baraboo, Wisconsin is home to the museum because its home to the five Ringling Brothers who started their family business.  Unlike most of the competition, the Brothers aspired for clean, family entertainment while bringing a business-like sensibility to show-biz.

The brothers brought the show home each winter.  That's when new tents were built and new acts perfected.  "Ringlingville" lined the river flowing through the small city - a village to itself with barns for the animal acts and large buildings for storage and creativity.

The remaining buildings are now part of the Circus World Museum.  The historic site brings the circus to life under its own Big Top complete with professional performers.  Two other buildings host restorative efforts for circus wagons and their display.


The hey-day of the circus comes to life with brilliant costumes and beautiful displays acknowledging the talented clowns and other performers who wowed audiences from coast to coast.

There's more I want to tell you about Circus World in some upcoming posts... it is truly a great place for the whole family.

Go for the fun or come for a more thorough understanding of the circus.

As the sheer size of the combined Ringling Brothers - Barnum Bailey Circus became clear; I understood why kids might have "run away with the circus."

There were so many jobs to be done, hard jobs to be sure, but work for people willing to work.

And like our country's history, there are parts of circus history which don't look good in the rear view mirror, but it's worth learning more about a cultural force which continues to impact us today.

As the Circus barkers used to shout:  "Don't miss it, don't even be late!"