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| Circus day was a big deal this year! Here is a advertisement promoting "Circus Day" specials. |
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.
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| A promotional piece for the Lewiston date featuring Eunice DeMott, Bessie Castello (who had recently made the transition from acrobat to bareback rider) and Irma Bidwell. |
Sparks' circus, which has often been to Maine but is new to these cities, is at Lee Park.
It arrived Sunday morning from Belfast, and many small boys kindly chaperoned their parents to see the unloading of the horses, elephants, camels and heavy, canvas-covered wagons. This was soon accomplished and with a minimum of confusion; it is always interesting to see one of these shows unload. By the middle of the forenoon all of the tents, with the exception of the "big top" itself, had been raised; and Lee Park was an animated place, with the American flag flying from every tent and banner-pole.
The parade started this morning at 10:30, coming thru Main street to North bridge, down Main street in Auburn, across Broad street bridge to Lewiston again, and up Pine Street to the grounds. The horses were plump, the uniforms bright and the wagons glistened with varnish and gold paint. There were three bands, a score of riders and a half dozen open cages of wild animals, while a herd of four elephants and two camels brought up the rear. As usual, there was a crush in Union square, and the (?)electrics(?) had hard work plowing their way thru. Some amusement was caused-for the spectators-when an automobile became stalled squarely in front of the loin cage.
By one o'clock crowds began flowing toward the grounds, and the tent was filled when the afternoon performance began. The program contained a number of interesting features , including the Sparks' herd of baseball elephants, Woodford's posing dogs and horses, Capt. Tibeor's trained seals and troupe of Japs, numerous clowns, and several riding acts-not forgetting Kyo. Namba, said to be the only man in the world who walks up a flight of stairs on his head.
SHOW COMES WELL RECOMMENDED FROM OTHER MAINE CITIES
The Sparks Circus arrived in Lewiston yesterday morning early and has pitched its tents on the Lee Park grounds where they will give two performances today, one this afternoon and one in the evening.The unloading was accomplished with rapidity and without confusion and the show grounds soon presented the appearance of a tented city of amusement with the American flag flying from every tent and banner pole.
Hundreds of visitors were on the grounds "seeing the sights" Sunday. Sunday is a day of rest with most of the circus people and the big tent is never erected on Sunday, however, the menagerie tent that houses the animals is always erected, also the cook tents, horse tents, side shows, etc.
The Sparks Shows presents a fine appearance on the grounds, everything being neat and clean and all of the tents looking new. The circus comes well recommended from Portland, Bangor and Augusta as being not the biggest circus that has played the Maine cities but one of the best, giving all they advertise.
The Portland Express says: - Gave fine performance and the best conducted circus ever in the city, Sparks Circus always welcome in Portland. The Kennebec Journal, Augusta said: - Sparks Circus gave two excellent performances, best ever in Augusta, the program is high class containing many thrillers and more than pleased everybody.
The parade will leave the show grounds promptly at 10:30 and traverse the main streets. The doors to the big show will open at 1 o'clock and the afternoon performance starts at 2 o'clock.
Hoop La! The Sparks circus will burst upon an expectant city tomorrow, preparatory to its Monday exhibitions, over-topping in merit, in splendor, in novelty, in fun and in breathtaking feats, its representatives avow any and all former circus achievements.
Acres of tents, a parade one mile long, a big menagerie, herds of elephants and camels, 250 horses and ponies, the pick and pride of the world's acrobats, gymnasts, equestrians, aerialist and equillbrists clowns? Yes, dozens of them!
The circus will arrive in forty double-lenth railroad cars early early tomorrow from Belfast. The young boy and old boy will be on hand to meet it and witness the picturesque scenes of detrainment and the march of men and beast to the show grounds at Lee Park.
A swarm of advance representatives, making certain that no detail for the reception and tenancy of the circus has been overlooked in the arrangements which began weeks ago, will reach the city today. The tremendous quantities of food required must await the arrival of the institution, an abundance of wholesome water must be in readiness, tentative locations must be selected for the scores of tents, big and little, heavy planks are needed for the safe and expeditious unloading from the cars of the great chariots and tableau floats.
The Sparks circus parade will amuse all onlookers, it is confidently promised. It has been made a big, special, individual feature of the day's glad routine, and one upon which every effort has been concentrated to create a pageant unprecedented in the long history of the circus. It is scheduled to move from the show grounds at ten o'clock on Monday morning and will provide a glorious foretaste of the wonders that await under canvas at the encampment.
Four bands will yield stirring melody. Herds of elephants, camels, zebras, llamas and alpacas will tread the route. The uplifted sides of the cages will disclose rare and curious captives from forest, field and jungle. The vehicular equipment is described as a triumph of builder and decorator. Scores of the prettiest dancing girls of the country will be atop gallantly escorted by knights of the arena. Clown cut-ups will turn out in a ludicrous assortment of rolling stock. Every variety of thoroughbred horse, royally caparisoned, will be proudly presented.
The circus performances will be given at two o'clock in the afternoon and at eight o'clock at night. The spacious entrance of the tents will be open an hour earlier to receive the crowds eager to view the zoological exhibits, which is one of the most complete in the world.
Assurance is given that the tournament in the rings, on the stages, in the wilderness of aerial rigging and on the hippodrome oval will introduce only masters and mistresses of diversified athletic activity. The program comprises what theatrical managers call "an all-star cast."
The glory of the circus of the past is lost, it is promised, in the glory of the present day Sparks entertainment. The circus of other seasons was merely a debutante in the amusement world. The perfection of the showman's art has been attained.
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