The horrific story: A fight broke out at the fairgrounds, west of West Palm Beach, shortly after midnight Sunday, sparking the shooting that injured a girl and a boy, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said. The victims were taken to the hospital with injuries that are not life threatening. The girl has since been released from the [...]
The fairground in Dillon Montana has a tombstone for a show elephant that was struck down by lightning in 1943. The pachyderm, Pitt, was reportedly 102 years old. By all accounts I could find online, elephants live between 60-80 years in captivity. Pitt had been traveling with the Cole Bros. Circus at the time of [...]
America’s last tented, traveling ten-in-one sideshow is gearing up for a 12-day-stint at the annual Florida State Fair. Beginning February 10, the World of Wonders will return to the 319-acre lot in Tampa for approximately the 12th time. Today, sideshow veteran Red Stuart takes a moment to enlighten HeyRubeCircus readers about the inner workings of [...]
The world of variety entertainment is certainly not what it once was, but there’s a select few carrying on this tradition. Theater-16 is one small company dedicated to preserving these arts, and includes a wide variety of acts ranging from Dr. Goodjohn’s Magical Medicine Show to tarot readings. Today, Theater-16 President, Ernie Guderjahn (aka Erikk [...]
As difficult as it is to imagine a time before bustling midways filled with fried foods and mechanical rides were available to delight audiences of all ages, that time did exist. In fact, the carnival (in its modern incarnation) is not as old as you may think. This form of entertainment traces its origins to [...]
Ballyhoo: (noun) bal-ee-hoo a clamorous and vigorous attempt to win customers or advance any cause; blatant advertising or publicity. clamor or outcry. a short sample of a sideshow, usually performed on stage in front of the sideshow tent; used to lure customers in. The origin of the ballyhoo dates back to the 1893 Chicago Worlds [...]