International Circus Hall of Fame, Peru, Indiana

Our latest road trip took us from Virginia through scenic West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio into Peru, Indiana. (Had an email from a friend who mentioned we HAD TO HAVE traveled through Maryland, South Carolina and North Carolina...I sent her a map of the Eastern US. )

Arriving in Peru, we decided to find a nice restaurant for dinner. Much to our surprise the little town rolled up the sidewalks at 6 PM. Everything was quite, no cars, no activity and very unlike what we had expected. It was on the outskirts of town that we added yet another of the fast-food chains to our list of places to avoid.

The following morning we drove out of town to the large open fields, barns, museum and office that once where the circuses of the past wintered until they left in the spring for a new circus season. Now it is home of the International Circus Hall of Fame.
Less than 100 people were there this year. Sad to think the Circus is quickly becoming an entertainment of the past.

Each July, these people...ex performers and current performers and supporters come together to relive the past by putting up a tent and present an old fashion circus.
We dined under the Big Top. Naturally, amongst performers, ex-performers, model builders and supporters. Sadly there were less than 100 people there. Ford had been motivated to support them when we were there last year, thus the invitation.

We really didn't fit in with the entertainers there, however, it was so interesting to have a inside view into their life.

This was my favorite lady. At age 97, she didn't have a wrinkle in her face and the sharpest mind of anyone I've met and talked with at that age. She is very extroverted and never talked about herself unless asked a direct question. Her conversation was about people she's known and wonderful experiences she shared with them...

I overheard her talking about days gone by and some of the young girls "killed by a cat" and others she admired so.

She was involved in the making of
the movie "The Big Top." They all were on the set to double as the stars, of course. One of her favorite friends was Mickey King. She told me Micky doubled at the aerialist for Betty Hutton in The Big Top movie.

Mickey was born 1905 and died 2005.

MICKEY KING, One of the Greastest Lady Aerialists.

MICKEY KING, AERIALIST SUPREME

Circus fans world wide consider Mickey King to have been one of the all time great aerialists.

I could have talked with her for hours. She was born to circus performers and spent her life traveling, training and performing with elephants, seals, etc, she happily told me.

The elephants were the BEST I have ever seen.

We LOVED the show...more photos tomorrow.