THE BALLOON MAN: 2008-10-12

Friday, October 17, 2008

DUCK POND

Here's Bill, Heidi (On the counter) and Me in the Duck Pond.

Red Parks, owner of Greentree Shows, had just bought a new camera

with the panoramic lens and took this picture at the Vadosta Fair

probably around 1992 or 1993.

LEWIS & CLARK CIRCUS-SPRING 2008

I found these last night on the web.

They were taken last spring according to the information that was with them.

I'm not sure of the identity of the performers in the 2 tip pictures but I do know that's

Brian LaPalm in the bottom picture.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

WE'RE GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

OABA CAMEL PINS: Camel Pin campaign has been huge success...thanks to all at the BIG-E especially the hard working Carnival People for their huge contributions...Couldn't do it without you...CAMEL PINS on the road were also a huge success last Saturday at the GLEN ROCK INN - Glen Rock, NJ...I presently have what I have named CAMEL HERDERS all over the USA...Maxine House is one of the NORTHEAST CAMEL HERDERS...Look for CAMEL HERDERS this Saturday in Hagerstown....There aren't any expenses everything that is donated goes into the OABA ANIMAL FUND...PLEASE DONATE...The CAMEL PIN IS THE FIFTH OABA pin in this great series....
October 15, 2008 8:01 AM

DOWNIE BROS NEWSPAPER STORY-1937

please remember to click on picture and it will enlarge it so that it can be read!

Thanks Howard, from the "Delmar Dust Pan" blog for sending this to me.
It appeared in the Laurel De newspaper.

HUNT'S SPIRIT OF '76 CIRCUS

In 1975 Marsha Hunt Jones resurrected the Hunt Show.

These pictures were taken in New Jersey in the spring by Bill.

Of course the next year, 1976, was America's 200th birthday so hence the name of the show--Hunt's Spirit of '76 Circus.

HUNT'S SPIRIT OF '76 CIRCUS

Here's the Midway. Notice on the right of the picture.

That was a Hunt Tradition, the Souvinier Stand with a white picket fence around it.

I beleive the idea was to sit the barrels of merchandise well behind the fence to cut down on theft.

HUNT'S SPIRIT OF '76 CIRCUS

I beleive the little trailer eas the bandstand.

HUNT'S SPIRIT OF '76 CIRCUS

Show Office

CIRCUS KIRK 1976 #1

Circus Kirk was a church sponsored Circus that was the idea of Charles (Doc) Boas .

These shots were taken in Ford City, PA by Bill. We were playing a Fireman's Carnival in a town close by. The show used all young people that they trained to do acts and many of them went on to professional careers both in the circus and professions.

This particular year I beleive they did have a Baby Elephant. We didn't get to seee the show since we were working also.

David Orr could probably fill us in on a lot of this information since He was on the show.

Show above was the cookhouse.

CIRCUS KIRK-1976 #2

CIRCUS KIRK-1976 #3

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

NORTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR-OPENS THIS WEEK

PHILLIES WIN GAME 4!

MYERSDALE, PA MAPLE FESTIVAL (1974)

On the streets of Myersdale, PA Maple Festival in March, 1974.

We had snow, sleet and rain that day!

The Balloons were frozen!

The things you do when your young!

JACKPOTING?

Columbia, SC State Fair, 1973.

That's the Crazy Ball King Uncle Nick Fonzone, Brother Bill and our trusty guard dog Nappy,

and Cotton Candy Operator Duke LaPort, Johnstown, PA.

ANOTHER DYKES BROS ENTERPRISE! (1973)

BALLOON PEDDLER'S HEAVEN (Bob Cox)

Dick.. this is the main park in Puebla, Mexico. A scene thats repeated in many towns, Even though they sometimes crack down on street vendors they never bother balloon peddlers because its a tradition that goes back over a hundred years,
I sold the first Mylars in Mexico for Dave Walker at the Mexico City Fair.
In the old days they used Hydrogen instead of Helium. They made their own by dropping iron filings into sulphuric acid.. a very explosive combo...remember the Hindenberg dirigible??..... have a good day... Bob