Tuesday, March 14, 2017

A Sad Day!


            I can remember when I was a young boy filled with an almost uncontrollable excitement because the circus was coming to town.  Then when the time rolled around there was a thrill in the air.  All the trucks came pulling up into the empty lots and began to unload the tents, the poles, and all the other equipment they would need to create out of the nothingness, the world of dreams that was the circus.  Surrounding the Big Top were an unimaginable amount of other tents and the “side shows” of the carnival, the rides, and the games, all took their spots in the final creation of the “magic city” that would dominate the community conversation for days.

            My Dad operated a gas station at that time and it also served as a gathering place for some of the more “colorful” patrons to sit around and share their news (and many complaints) about the topics of the day.  I would hang around at times so I could listen to these “voices of wisdom” so I could get educated in the field of local gossip.  Of course, in doing this, I would have to “work" for the privilege of gaining this unbelievably valuable creative experience by cleaning the bathrooms, sweeping the parking lot and driveway and other odd jobs.  But, this also gave me the opportunity to earn some money so I could go to the circus and partake of the fantasy atmosphere.

            I would sit on the bench with my pop, my popcorn, the cotton candy, and some type of candy bar.  Of course, I wouldn’t have them all at the same time, but the vendors would make their rounds throughout the audience like is done today at baseball games.  You couldn’t pass up an opportunity to make a purchase from them.  It made the enjoyment of watching the circus acts more pleasurable to watch instead of just sitting there on the bench.  It made you feel like you were personally involved in the actions of each act that was presented by the Ring Master!  I marveled at the acrobatic teams.  These were usually families who had spent generations in perfecting their craft.  I sat mesmerized by starring in amazement as they carefully walked across the tight rope and seemed to fly effortlessly through the air finally dropping into the net, ending their act and once again allowing me to catch my breath and take another sip of my pop.  Then the animals would come out --- the lions or tigers and then those majestic elephants.  At times there could be dogs, horses, or even seals, but to me nothing seemed as exciting as watching the elephants go through their routines.

            As I got older there were a couple of specific years that the circus came to town that remain impressed in my memory.  One year I heard that the circus people were looking for some locals to help them set-up the tents, etc in preparation for their performances.  So, after school, I ran over to inquire what was needed and could I be used.  I’ve always been “big” for my age, so I lied about my age so I could get the work, especially when I found out I would get twenty dollars pay (almost a fortune for that time to a 16 year old) for the work, free passes to the circus every day it was in town and coupons for the “snacks” to eat while there!  I was going for this work in a BIG way!

            The other occasion was the very next year when the circus returned to our town.  By this time I had a regular after school job so I was making “good” money and didn’t need (or want) to work at the circus to get tickets.  I could afford to pay for entry!  And this time I got selected as one of four people called out of the stands to walk the tight rope!  This was one they had set up in the ring of the Big Top.  It was only about six feet off the ground and about twenty feet in length, but it seemed a lot more dangerous than it appeared!  Before starting my walk, I asked for some advice on how to be prepared.  The professional artist leaned over and whispered into my ear: “If you feel like you are about to fall, make sure BOTH legs are on the same side of the wire!”  That was good advice because I only made it about three quarters of the way across before I felt myself coming off the wire.

            Now, today, for the first time in 146 years, the circus is NO LONGER coming to town.  Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Circus will be concluding its show in May of 2017.  The pressures of modern day activists who are unhappy with the treatment of the animals, kids having a shorter attention span because of becoming an electronically entertained generation, and add to those things the circus’ competition from modern spectacles like Cirque du Solei have, in effect, made it practically impossible for the circus to compete economically.

            What a truly sad day in the history of some of the most marvelous entertainment that has ever been around.  I understand the problems and issues involved from a financial point of view, but it saddens me to imagine that future generations of young ones will be denied the opportunity to enjoy the chances to lose themselves in the magic of the “Big Top” or stroll through the “streets” created within the fascinating “magical place” built around the circus.  We can continue to recall the wonderful experiences we had with our visits to the circus, but after May, 2017, the creation of circus magic will cease.  Take time to share your enjoyment of the circus experience with the younger generation.  Don’t let circus joys be gone forever!
QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"The one you help today may be the one to help you tomorrow."


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