| Before
television, before computers, before any of the myriad of items that
have disrupted our time and senses, there was a simpler era in which
meaningful events happened from time to time. The visit of the Circus
was always an exciting event in small town America in the 1880s. If the
advertising pitchmen had done their job properly, the posters had appeared long before on the side of buildings and other local landmarks.
Advance men had given away free tickets and whipped the local citizens
interest level to a high fever. The arrival of the Circus train was
eagerly anticipated - especially by the local youths - who by virtue of
helping the circus hands, might obtain a free pass to the Main
Attraction. The arrival of the Circus train was secondary only to the
next great event , the Circus Parade. The parade formed at the rail
siding and proceeded down main street where the citizens were offered a titillating
view of some of the mysterious offerings that the Circus could provide.
Who could resist?
In the above photo we see a Circus Parade in
Cambridge, Ohio in 1884. Elephants, clowns, horses and circus wagons
were all part of the excitement. The horseback rider behind the
second elephant carries a banner with the word " Japan " on it, adding an oriental flavor to the Circus. Today we can sit at home and
at the touch of a key, view information about an elephant or a Circus or
two. The excitement of a Circus is lost to most of us now, but at one
point in our past it was the only show in town!
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