Stretching Out The Big Top
Posted By thecircusblog on May 21, 2010
How well I remember this job…. it seems like it was just yesterday. All circuses that have a big top have a crew of men that do nothing but set up the circus tent. Every so often we would have to split the tent crew to send them to the next town to drive stakes and ready the center poles for the big top. The reason for this usually was because of an overnight jump and three shows that next day, it saved a lot of time. When we did split the crew the performers would pitch in to help get the show up……….Foot note, Most lager shows carried extra poles and stakes and some a second top good for one day stands or a blow down. We were playing Atlanta ,Georgia and fell short on help. Every one on the show pitch in to get the show up. It was very noticeable to the town folks standing near by watching us that we were in trouble, some one yieldout hay there do you all need some help, with a quick replay of yes about 50 townees volunteered and worked with us until was up for the first performance. Thank yous were handed out and so were tickets for the helpers and their families………….. Sid Kellner’s Great London Circus, spring 1975. The photo above is a lucky find, It was in a junk bin in a used book store. Cole Bros Circus some time in the early to mid 1960’s. I also got a Clyde Beatty Cole Bros Poster as well.
About the author
thecircusblog
My name is Ivan M. Henry and I am the 4th generation of a circus/show business dynasty. I hope you enjoy the blog.Comments
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Hi Ivan, I was on that big top crew in 1975. Eric Jager was the tent boss and Sidwall Sid was his assistant. I joined the show in New Orleans and can’t really remember if we went to Georgia after I joined or not. It was my first year on the road and I remember you quite well. I worked the back door for an extra job and was completly hooked on circus life after that first year. I returned the next year as Eric’s assistant. I was there till the end. I went on to Vargas, Great American, Toby Tyler, and finally 9 years as the big top boss at The Big Apple Circus. I appreciate stories about us working men. I always have had a complete love for circus big tops since that first year. I did not know it at the time but there were some real circus roylity there that year. You, Herbie and Marcella, Lou Anne , Billy, many more. Thanks for your blog, David