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Wednesday, October 21, 1959CircusWith Sarasota known the worldover as the “Circus City, it is only natural to find the hall of fan oi the circus world there.On one of the entrance highways to the city, U.8. 41, is the Circus Hall of Fame where circus “greats are memorialized for all time.Founded in 1064, the Circus Hall of Fame houses one of the most complete circus museums in the world Here one may see circus mementos of every description — equipment, rigging, costumes,“props.” and personal effects of many circus stars.* * *The largest and most famouscircus wagon in the world, the “Two Hemispheres bandwagon, has become a Sarasota landmark housed in the Imposing glass wallea main building of the Circus Hall of Fame on Highway 41. Donated by Col. B. J. Palmer tothe circus museum, it has become the symbol of the Circus Hall of Fame.Tom Thumb’s coach, made in England and presented to him by Queen Victoria, is admired daily by visitors on conducted tours of the museum. Another interesting exhibit is the sleigh P. T. Bamumbuilt for Jenny Lind, the Swedish nightingale he sponsored over a hundred years ago. A complete set of circus railroad cars in miniature portrays the mode of travel for circuses over the years, and among models of miniature rides are the first ferris wheels and roller coasters — forerunners to the modem thrills known today.One also sees the actual tools and some of the working carvings of the first wood carvers in this country who made the early carousel animals. And then there is the mounted head of Wallace, King of the Beasts — the trained lion who killed three of his trainers before he finally had to be executed.★ ★ ★One of the most popular exhibitsis the bust of Gargantua, theRelived In Unique Attractionfamous gorilla who tor years thrilled Rlngling circus fans. The face was made from a death mask taken immediately after the death of the giant gorilla by Mr. H. Chester Hoyt, Curator of the Circus Hall of Fame.One of the most complete collections of antique puppets is displayed in the puppet theaterwhere four times daily a puppet show is put on to the delight of young and old. An enlarged puppet | stage permits several puppets to J perform at once, and audience par. j ticipation in songs and dialogue! indicates the extreme popularity of this phase of entertainment.★ ★ ★In an Inside arena, rain or jshine, every morning and every i afternoon, seven days a week,! there is presented one half hour of professional circus acts. The ring to the center in which the artists perform is one that was in the j never-to-be forgotten fire in Hartford Oonn. in 1044 when the Ring-llng big top burned. Restored, this ring is now preserved in the Circus Hall of Fame and circus performers from all over the world participate in the daily programs. Aerialists, acrobats, trampoline gymnasts, Jugglers, clowns, trained dogs, chimpanzees and other trained animals — they all, at various times, may be seen to thetnbark ring at the Circus Hall uf Fame where the circus of yesterday is kept very much alive today.Elections to the Hall of Fame are made annually by a National Awards Committee made up of 12 men from various sections of the country who are students ofcircus history and lore. These men meet periodically and determine what circus personalities haveearned perpetual recognition inthe Hall of Fame.Recently a nationally known firm advertising in Life, Look and Saturday Evening Post, publisher a double page spread of a mapof United States entitled “Vacation Time USA” and listed 32 nationally known attractions on the nv*P- It was a tribute to Sarasota to have the Circus Hall of Fameincluded as one of the 32 outstanding national vacation attractions, and the only Florida listing on the map.Key Retains WildnessLongboat Key, incorporated only within the past four years, still contains splashes of wilderness despite the fact of its rapid growth in population (over 400 per cent in the past five years).A mere several hundred yards to breadth at its narrowest point and broadening to a mile at its widest, Longboat stretches out 12 miles in length.Twelve miles of white sand beaches slope down to the water’s edge along this key where swimming and water sports have important spots on the agenda of activities the year around.IIwmmM 44STAY IN PARADISEamParadise” awaits you in Sarasota on U.S. 4T,I mile North of Business district, and the center of everything. Efficiencies and overnights — tile bathiwith tub and showerroom controlled electri*heat100% Air Conditioning and TV. For yourOpen Year 'RoundOn U.S. 41 Northadded COMFORT you'll enjoy a complete relaxing massage on the ultra modem Pulse-A-Rythmmattresses.Address Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Winscott, owners-managers, 2121 No. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota,Florida. Phone Ringling 7-6969,
Newspaper Details
Sarasota News
Sarasota, Florida, US
Wed, Oct 21, 1959
Page 22
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 20 Nov 2018
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