World of Wonders Brings the Popular "Ladder of Blades" Act to Skowhegan in 2015

World of Wonders' Performer Trixie Turvy Displays Her Hula Hoop Skills at the Skowhegan State Fair in 2015

World of Wonders' performer 

Trixie Turvy showcases her hula hoop

routine on August 13, 2015 at the

Skowhegan State Fair. 

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World of Wonders Sideshow Makes Two Maine State Fair Stops in 2015

The roots of the World of Wonders 10-in-1 sideshow can be traced all the way back to the 1940s when its founder Ward Hall, now known as the “King of the Sideshow”, first entered the circus business at age 14. World of Wonders is considered to be the

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Return to Bangor After 60 Years!

       On June 19, 1953, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus came to Bangor, Maine. After "The Greatest Show on Earth" packed up and moved on to their June 20 show in Lewiston, it would be 60 years before they returned.
       The act of operating two mile long "Red & Blue Unit" trains transporting enormous 3-Ring shows around the country made smaller, more isolated venues, like the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor a less viable option for event stops. That changed in 2003 when Feld Entertainment added a new "Gold Unit" addition that would continue until 2015. This new unit would operate as a truck based 1-ring show allowing Ringling to once again take the show to locations

Waterville Plays Host to Frank A. Robbins

Frank A. Robbins came to Waterville in 1884 with a bill that looked really impressive! The great P.T. Barnum also brought his show to Maine this year however only played 3 dates all in southern Maine as oppose to Robbins taking his show up and down the whole state performing in 21 different towns! One thing to point out is Robbins did not play to any town that Barnum did. Barnum had July 3 in Saco, July 4 in Portland, and July 5 in Lewiston. Robbins toured June 16 in Rockland, June 17 in Bath, June 18 in Farmington, June 19 in Richmond, June 20 in Gardiner, June 21 in the capital city of Augusta, June 23 in Waterville as the ad here displays, June 24 in Skowhegan, June 25 in Belfast, June 27 in Dexter, June 28 in Bangor, June 30 in Bucksport, July 1 in Oldtown, July 2 in Lincoln, July 3 in Danforth, July 4 in Calais, July 8 in Caribou, July 9 in Fort Fairfield, Jully 11 in Woodstock and July 12 in Houlton. Another thing to note is both shows performed in Maine on Independence day. 

The advertisement here reads as follows:

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Waterville, Monday June 23.

And positively the only show that will exhibit at Waterville this Season.

FRANK A. ROBBINS'

NEW

Railroad Shows!

Circus, Museum, Menagerie, Trained Animals, Aviary and Aquarium

The date is positively

The Ringling Brothers Debut in Maine and Make a Stop in Waterville

The Ringling Brothers first came to New England in 1895 however it would be another ten years before they would venture into Maine. 1905, two years before they purchased "Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth", was the year the Ringling Brothers first came to Maine with "Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Shows". The tour of the state consisted of six dates. The route for 1905 in Maine was July 5 in Biddeford, July 6 in Portland, July 7 in Augusta, July 8 in Bangor, July 10 in Waterville and July 11 in Lewiston.

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The advertisement for their stop in Waterville reads as follows:

CIRCUS, WATERVILLE, MONDAY, JULY 10.

By Special Arrangement

THE ONLY BIG CIRCUS THIS SEASON.

RINGLING BROS. WORLD'S GREATEST SHOWS

AND THE STUPENDOUS

1876, Barnum's Longest Tour of Maine, Visits Lewiston Before heading to New Hampshire!

In 1876, the centennial year of our nation's birth, P.T. Barnum treated the people of Maine to the longer tour for and incarnation of a show using his namesake. This tour featured a full fourteen dates in twelve cities! Those dates were July 15 in Saco, July 17 & 18 in Portland, July 19 in Damariscotta, July 20 in Rockland, July 21 in Bath, July 22 in Augusta, July 24 in Houlton, July 25th in Calais, August 7 & 8 in Bangor, August 9 in Dexter, August 10 in Waterville and August 11 in Lewiston. This was also the first year of a Barnum show in Maine under the "Greatest Show on Earth" title! This was "P.T. Barnum's New and Greatest Show on Earth"! Presented here is a newspaper ad and short write up regarding the final Maine stop in Lewiston.

The advertisement posted here reads as follows:

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P.T. BARNUM'S

NEW AND

GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH IS COMING

ON THREE MONSTER SPECIAL TRAINS

OF SOLID STEEL CARS, AND WILL EXHIBIT AT

LEWISTON, FRIDAY, AUGUST 11th!!

$1,500,000 CASH CAPITAL INVESTED!

1100 Persons and 600 Horses and Ponies Employed by it.

A Century's Festival of Features in a Metropolis of Separate Tents.

Its Menagerie 100 per cent. the largest ever moved.

SIXTY CAGES OF RARE ANIMALS AND AMPHIBIA

Many of which singly cost more than a common Menagerie.

TOWERING LIVING GIRAFFES, HALF TON LIVING LIVING SEA LIONS,

AND

Sparks Leaves Lasting Impression in Maine as we cover Circus Day in Lewiston, 1917

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Circus day was a big deal
this year! Here is a 
advertisement promoting 
"Circus Day" specials.

 In the year of the United States Congress issuing a  declaration of war against the German Empire, an escape from reality was truly treasured! 


In Maine, Sparks Circus carried the job of providing that escape around the state starting on Independence Day in Portland and staying here for 18 dates, essentially the whole month of July, going as far north as Fort Kent. This season left a lasting impression all across Maine. A Portland newspaper, a city with rich circus history, stated that it was a "fine performance and the best conducted circus ever in the city." The Kennebec Journal, a newpaper that covers Augusta stated that "Sparks Circus gave two  excellent performances, best ever in Augusta, the program is high class containing many thrillers and more than pleased everybody."

In this post we will take a look at some newspaper articles and promotional materials used for the July 23rd date in Lewiston.

Circus Day, 1917 in Augusta was a Special Day for Solders Heading to War

On April 2, 1917, Pres. Wilson asked a joint session of the United States Congress for a declaration of war against the German Empire. Congress responded with the declaration on April 6. This was America's entry into World War 1 and 1000s of troops where being sent over seas to witness the horrors of war first hand. On April 20, Sparks Circus had just transported their great show from Bangor where they performed on the 19th to Augusta. This year, Circus Day was not only going to be the day in which
families gather to to watch the great circus parade come into town, set up and then spend the day exploring the wonders of the amazing pageantry. This year, it would also prove to be the day that our men serving would have a chance the escape the harsh realities of leaving home and the nightmares that were ahead of them. For this day, reality was replaced by the magical world of the traveling circus with Sparks being the only circus coming to our state this year and talks of it being the only appearance of a circus troupe in general until after the war. One newspaper article from the July 23, 1917 edition of the Lewiston Evening Journal reported on the matter as follows:

CIRCUS DAY SAW HIGH JINKS IN THE CAPITOL CITY - THE SOLDERS' REVEL!

The Entire Regiment Was Given Leave and The Boys Didn't Miss a Thing! 

If the soldiers never have another good time until they disembowel the German, they'll remember Friday evening, July 20, 1917.

There was a circus in town. There are no adequate words in the Anglo-Saxon tongue to express just what the combination of a circus and a group of 2000 soldiers means.

The entire regiments, for the

Barnum Returns to Maine for the 1873 Season!

In 1873, P.T. Barnum's Grand Traveling Museum Menagerie Caravan Hippodrome & Circus returned to Maine and the advertisement makes the claim the the show is "Ten Times Larger Than Ever". This year, the

1873 Advertisement for the "The Wonderful Fairy Sisters"

This is a May 24, 1873 advertisement for "The Wonderful Fairy Sisters" to promote their upcoming performance at Lewiston City Hall. As the ad states, they also performed with "The Famous Deuel Family".

Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth 1893 Season

Years had gone by since the passing of the great P.T. Barnum and in that time, James A. Bailey was the sole proprietor of "The Greatest Show on Earth". 1893 was also the year that the World's Fair in Chicago themed it's presentation to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus' arrival in the new World, although technically it would have been the 401st (1492). "The Greatest Show on Earth" also adopted this them for the season bringing a massive show to local towns around the country and Maine was not left out of this great tour. The dates in Maine were July 15 in Biddeford, July 17 in Portland, July 18 in Bath, July 19 in Augusta, July 20 in Bangor, July 21 in Waterville and as the ad showcased here indicates, July 22 in Lewiston. The ad for this show reads:

Containing a World of Wonders and Delightful Attractions TOGETHER WITH IMRE KIRALFY'S FAMOUS SPECTACLE COLUMBUS AND THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA, IT'S GRANDEUR ALMOST SURPASSING BELIEF WITH 1,200 HISTORICAL CHARACTERS REPRESENTED.
3 RINGS, 2 ELEVATED STAGES, RACING TRACK!
SUBLIME BALLET, with 300 DANCERS
The most Wonderful and Grandest of Earthly Displays on a Stage 400 Feet Long.
In Addition to Circus, Hippodrome, Illusions, 2 Monster Menageries, Museums, Aviary, Aquarium and Horse Fair. 

Win a trip to the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago!

In 1893, some lucky folks from Maine had an opportunity to win a fully paid trip to the 1893 Chicago World's Columbian Exposition!











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Photos from the 1989 Kora Shrine Circus #1

Yuri Krasnov and Lubov Pisarenkov Defected from the Soviet Union and in 1989 performed in Maine

Yuri Krasnov and Lubov Pisarenkova on
April 14, 1989 in Lewiston, Maine

Yuri Krasnov and Lubov Pisarenkova defected to the Untied States from the Soviet Union in 1986 because Soviet Authorities were restricting their work. They stated the reason they came to the United State was "No Freedom. No freedom as a person, no freedom as an

Forepaugh & Sells Brothers’ Circus 1902 Season Advertisement

Adam Forepaugh had passed away in 1890 and left a lasting legacy. So much so that even in 1902 (and beyond) his namesake was still a valuable draw. Having once been a legitimate competitor to the Barnum & Bailey Circus, even having more animals than them and paying higher wages to major acts, the purchase of his show by James A. Bailey proved to be a somewhat lucrative one at times. In 1894, the Great Forepaugh Show

Maine Agricultural Fair Schedules for 1902

The 1902 Schedule for Maine agricultural Fairs from around the state. 

Maine Amusement Park and Zoo ads from 1980 #1

Here are some great ads for various Maine amusement parks and zoos from 1980. They include Bear Pond Park, Rumford Zoo, Aquaboggan, Merrill's Wildlife Center, Palace Playland,  and Simpson Animal Park. 

Auburn Kids Clowning Around

In a photo from June of 1980 on 524 Turner Street in Aubrun, some local kids designed and made their own clown costumes. 

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Photos from the 1980 Kora Shrine Circus #1

Clowns from the 1980 edition of the Kora Shrine Circus visited residents of the Marcoote Nursing Home on April 18, 1980. The clowns featured here, from left to right, are Bo Skolfied, Fuzzie and Farmer Sam with two resendents.

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Ad for the “Royal Lipizzan Stallions” 1980 Show in Portland

This is a great ad promoting "The World Famous" Royal Lipizzan Stallions who performed in Portland on April 25, 26, and 27 in 1980.

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Photos from the 1979 Kora Shrine Circus #1

The Shriners do amazing work giving back to the community with programs such as the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Every year local Shrines bring the circus to town and the Shrine Circus has became a staple in family traditions all over the country. In southern Maine, the Kora Shrine has been providing the area with great entertainment for 64 years now! On April 13,1979 in Lewiston, the Kora Shrine Circus came to town and made some great memories.

P.T. Barnum Enters the Ring!

Even though his name has become almost synonymous with the circus, P.T. Barnum did not enter the business until he was 60 years old. In the fall of 1870, Barnum came to an agreement with Dan Castello who was owner of the "Dan Costillo Show" and manager of the show, William Cameron Coup. Through the deal, Barnum became a senior partner who financed the endeavor and in return received two-thirds of the profit. Since Barnum previously displayed his presentations and curiosities in fixed locations such as his American Museum, this would be an exciting new way for him to take his genius promoting talents all over the country. The first incarnation of a P.T. Barnum promoted travailing circus was to be called "P.T. Barnum's Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan, Hippodrome & Circus." This resurrection of Barnum's