Village Squire, 1977-06, Page 22When the circus comes to town the raising of the big tent is almost as big an attraction as the circus itself.
THE CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN
Something about the word that the circus is coming stirs
excitement in children, from 6 to 60. It may not be the
"Greatest Show on Earth" and people know it won't be. but
still just the name circus quickens the pulse of a town.
It's been a long time between circuses for most towns.
Faced by soaring costs and competition from things television
the circuses have abandoned the small-town circuit in recent
years. In some towns it's more than a half century since the
circus came to town.
Many communities have had a chance to sec the circus this
spring with the tour of the Martin and Downs Circus. a
Canadian circus headquartered in Campbellford, Ontario.
The circus comes to town in the morning and begins the set
up of the big top that takes four hours. Local school boys help
the small staff. The kids come down from the schools to see
the animals and their excitment grows thinking of the show
that night. Older "kids" drop by too, perhaps remembering
20, VILLAGE SQUIRE/JUNE 1977.
Clowns and dog tricks.