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Sunflar, January 1,19B6Opens Next SundayCircus Hall eIs Shrine To StarsOfficial opening of Sarasota's newest and most novel attraction The Circus Hall of Fame — isfor next Sundavat 11 a.m., according to John L. Sullivan, Hallof Fame president.The unique amusement center, located on the Tamiami Trail, op* poahe the Sarasota Bradenton Airport, will present a combination of priceless and nostalgic circus lore and live performances, the latter to take place in the big. tanbark compound which is- enclosed by seven separate but connected buildings.Physical construction of the Circus Hall of Fame cost a quarter-million dollars and the displays Itcontains cannot be counted in dol lara and cents. SSSllSHill Be ShrineThe Circus Hall of Fame is to be just thatg— a ahrine lio the starsand top executive of the Big TopIn order to be named to a placeof honor in it, persons must have been inactive in circus life for at least five years. Then, once eligible, thev must first be nominated and then elected. The system is patterned after that of baseball's Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, N Y Admission prices will be kept as low as possible. Adults v ill be charged 11.25; children frcm 10 to IS will lie admitted for 50 cents, and those under the age of 10 will be admitted without charge.Set like some mammoth, gleaming jewel, behind plate glass in the main building and plainlyv *nbie from th* Tra 1 will reposethe famous Two Hemispheres BandChariot.The huge bandwagon’s wheels have rolled over roads in most American communities and the streets of Europe and, before the circus parade custom began to languish in 191* it was as much a part of the circus as getting up at 4 a m. to water the elephantsBuilt I or BarnumIt weighs 10 Urns and requ redhitches of from 24 to 40 horse* topul! it. Built in 1*96 for Phineas T Raroum at a cost of $40,000, it ended up virtually abandoned in 1941, exposed to the elements at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. It was there that Col. B J. Palmerfound it, restored it at great costand. a few months ago, decided to turn it over to the Circus Hallof Fame.While tumblers acrobat* aei ia-lists and gymnasts provide live entertainment in the compound, cam-_.era fans will have a field dav.Add .. i. {hc.r i onve: .nu * * \be a shop devoted to the saie of f: m and m her photographic matsr-ials. There also will be an immaculate snack. bar and a wide selection of gifts and novelties to choose from*Inside the seven connected buildings, visitors will be able to view the snow cutter made especially for Jenny Lind. The Swedish Nightingale, when she made her initial triumphant American appearance.The miniature custom - built coach, made for the most famouslittle man of all — Tom Thumb — also will be on display. So small it looks like a toy. it carried the diminutive great through streets in every city the meandering circus routes of the day found him in.24 Puppet Show*There will be 24 active puppet shows, P*rt of the world * greatestcollection, at the Circus Hall ofIFame,Special exhibits have backgrounds designed exclusively for The Hall of Fame by Hollywood set designer Paul l^ing Pieces of equipment and costumes used by the most famous of the sawdust and spangles performer* are included in the vast array of exhibits.And you’ll be able to steam into o*'*ie with Dewey or aboard any other of the many scale model r*-p lie as of famous VS Navy v ar-ships This particular collectionwas once an integral part of “The Greatest Show on Earth. and now is at anchor at the Circus Hall ofFame.. ;: v#A''vTtT-:Tf you're old enough (or youngenough) to recall Coney Island's famed Dreamland Park when it was in full swing back in 1905 06. the exhibit of some SO electriclly operated scale models of merry go-rounds. a fun^hoyae and ferris wheel will evoke a gret deal of nostalgia. If you’re too young to remember Dreamland Park, theexhibit will intrigue you, anyway.
Newspaper Details
Sarasota News
Sarasota, Florida, US
Sun, Jan 01, 1956
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 20 Nov 2018
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