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Partly cloudy. Low 67F. SW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Partly cloudy. Low 67F. SW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 15 mph.

A vintage Sells & Gray Circus poster.

A vintage Sells & Gray Circus poster.

In the old days… The townspeople thronged the bluffs to greet them. They arrived in town by train about four or five in the morning. There were about six hundred of them, not counting the animals. Attempting to climb Bank Street from the railroad yards. The teams of horses, through stomping and straining, could not pull the heavy wagons up the steep hill. Then they would bring out the elephants for a push. And the huge beasts would walk their burdens up the slope — easily, slowly, nonchalantly. Then there was the Grand Parade down Main. Children laughed and ran alongside. Old men reminisced and smiled, parents worried.

At the fairgrounds, the breakfast tent was the first to be set up. They had already put in hours of work, and after the tiring trip they were ready for a hearty meal. Following breakfast, the tempo quickened. Organization took precedence: orders were shouted, tempers flared, guffaws echoed, and the sweat flowed. Town boys were hired right and left: “Free tickets for watering the elephants!” But few of the boys ever watered the elephants. Instead, they carried heavy loads and took roars. The work was very hard. But apparently the free tickets were worth the effort. For, year after year, the boys came back — even though they knew that the elephants had already been watered.

The Big Top would be raised into place by the elephants. Six roustabouts with sledge hammers formed a circle around every huge wooden stake. Each, in their turn and with practiced, steady rhythm, would slam their hammers upon the worn-down heads of the stakes. The tent was taking shape.

They were a special breed of people — fascinating to some, frightening to others. They livened up the town sometimes — drunk and wild and happy. Carefree or careless, who could judge?

In those days, the circus coming to town was a thrilling event, always living up to its expectations. And many times robbing towns of their wanderlust youths, as it left behind memories for all.

The Sells and Gray circus came to town. After a breakfast stop on the way, it arrived at the Hamilton Marina around seven or eight in the morning, via semi-truck-trailers, campers, and house trailers. Curious viewers came throughout the morning. The quiet scene picked up momentum around ten, as the canvas was unloaded and spread upon the ground, and the work elephant was harnessed. The metal tent stakes were driven in place by a hydraulic hammer attached to a truck — quickly and matter-of-factly. The dozen or so men casually organized. Few were needed, most watched. One young boy eagerly followed the working men, trying to learn.

Modernization has become necessary in the circus. It is no longer practical to travel with a company of six hundred, or feasible to transport by train, or possible to maintain the menagerie of animals and freak shows once so glamorous.

But with great effort and perseverance, the Sells and Gray has carried on the basic traditions of the old-style circus. They are one of “maybe seven” such circuses left. They are, in miniature, a reasonable facsimile of the original. Now, a lonely trumpeter proudly ignores the absence of the other eleven brass players — long gone, and now replaced with recorded background music. Many performers double up on their duties and talents.

Some may juggle, balance on the swinging trapeze, perform magic tricks, hold the rope for other performers, control the lights, change the setting, or even sell balloons. Sells and Gray succeeds in reproducing the atmosphere of the P. T. Barnum Circus with a few wild beasts, a few tame beasts, and a “snake girl” in the side show tent and trapeze artists, gymnasts, jugglers, clowns, trained dogs, horses, and elephants. Because it is still the people who make the circus, all that is expected is to be. It still requires those unique, talented “daring young men (and women) on the flying trapeze and more, adventurers, and widely skilled laborers.

Business heads, comics, and public relations men make it all happen. The Sells and Gray family is a cross-section of nationalities, personalities, and backgrounds. Each is needed, each adds special flavor — the romantic European accents float on the air, mingle with the laughter and swearing.

There is Mr. Arthur Grotenfent, the skillful electrician. His name could be substituted for title in Dutch, Mr. Arthur “Great Man”. Up until about ten years ago, Mr. Grotenfent performed in a high wire act with his first wife and other members of his family. During one show, his wife fell and lay dying at his feet. He never got on the wires again. But the circus is his life, and he became one of the best electricians to travel with various circuses throughout the world. His new with, Dorothy, has joined him in his love for the circus. Her experiences have been thrilling, but she believes “everyone’s life is exciting if they will just look at it that way,” she has been writing stories about her adventures and is now compiling them into a book. She looks at all the towns of their travels with interest — and they become interesting.

There is Harry. “He used to be the animal tamer, and they made a law against it,” confides a friend of his. It is obvious that Harry is still in control of the animals as he loudly masters the work elephant into palace. Harry casts a frightening shadow, he growls at anyone who crosses his path. “He doesn’t really mean anything by it,” they assure. But not many stay in his path.

There is Donna, a Czechoslovakian trapeze artist raised in the circus life, and a newcomer to the United States. Her talent on the trapeze is astounding. Whether just quietly playing with her pet dogs before the show, or dazzling her audience below — Donna’s poised elegance s her trademark.

And there is Blackie and Mule, the two lovable, jovial, unshaven cooks who keep the whole family going. A little gruff, but with a heart of gold, Blackie has been “with the circus a long time.” Mule worked the rodeo for forty years “riding anything and everything that could be rode,” before joining the Sells and Gray. The two are quiet a pair. Comical and carefree, they are nothing less than the typical happy-go-lucky scoundrels — the envy of many restless, responsibility-laden souls.

And there are the “First-of-Mayers,” as the greenhorns are called, with the first thrill still evident on their faces. Some are college students who enjoy the circus tour as a part-time paid “vacation.” Others are learning the circus for a future. The learning is hard — it only comes by watching and doing. There are no text books, no degrees, for this job. It is a way of life, separate from all others. Its success depends upon the ambition of all the People.

As long as there are adventurers, dare-devils, performers, and travelers — there will be the makings of the circus. And as long as they unite into circus families — there will be good circuses. And as long as there are people who vicariously enjoy the audacity and talent and skill of the circus performances — there will be the audience. And the show will go on and on.

Partly cloudy. Low 67F. SW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 15 mph.

Partly cloudy. Low 67F. SW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 15 mph.

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 84F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.

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