South Texas Catholic Monthly (Corpus Christi, Tex.), Vol. 34, No. 6, Ed. 1 Tuesday, June 1, 1999 Page: 9 of 20
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Texas Gulf Coast Register/South Texas Catholic and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the UNT Libraries.
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know that in the work you do, the Church is close to you,
it loves you, the Pope loves you. In your long journey
along the roacJs of so many regions and so many coun-
tries, go oq bringing to old and young) your characteristic
message of solidarity, goodness, happiness and hon-
esty, reminding all of us that - as the Sacred Scripture
invites us tag- we should always serve the Lord with joy,
even at the cbst of personal sacrifk
- POPE JOHN PAUL I
Editor’s Note: A glossary- of words that ap-
pear in bold throughout the text of the story can
be found on the bottom of page 12.
By Father Tom Goodwin
Palm Sunday
Hillsboro, Texas
“All Glory, Laud and Elephants!"
When 1 arrived to meet Carson and Bames
Circus on Palm Sunday the first show of the
day was already in progress. As I walked
through the “back lot” I asked, “Dondc estan
las Hermanistas de Jesus." I was directed to
the “front lot” where I found them hard at
work.
I had met the sisters at the winter confer-
ence for Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refu-
gees - The Circus and Traveling Show
Apostolate in Sarasota, Florida back in Janu-
ary and they had invited me to visit them and
the circus when it came to Texas. The sisters
travel with the show throughout its season,
beginning in late March and ending in mid
November.
The Little Sisters, as they like to be called,
follow a spirituality of presence in their min-
istry to the circus people. One of the charisms
of their order is to minister to
nomadic people. Due to a mix
up in communications the sisters
thought I would not be arriving un-
til Easter Sunday so
they were sur-
prised to see
me, but as .
always J
they wel- ^
corned
with
open arms.
The Sisters introduced me to Geary Byrd,
the President of Carson and Bames A.K.A #1
Geary. Geary put me right to work. The show
was only a couple of weeks out of winter
quarters and had only a couple of people
working security. He gave me a hat and in-
structions and with that l was officially work-
ing for the circus.
My job was simple, direct people as they
came to the show, keep them out of the back
lot and help in the tent during the elephant
act to keep people in their seats. After the sec-
ond show the sisters and 1 spent the evening
getting reacquainted over coffee and cookies.
The next day the adventure would begin for
Monday of Holy Week
Gatesville, Texas
"A day in the life of the Circus"
At 6 am the horn blows a wake up call.
Coffee and pastries are served in the “cook
tent” and within a few minutes the circus is
on the road. Long before the Duncan Donuts
is open the circus arrives in its new town. The
sun is barely up but there are al-
ready “townies” waiting on the
lot. School children and
their parents
stand waiting
d see the
magic of the cir-
cus begin You
can hear them
over the cool
morning air,
“When will the el-
ephants get
here? Maybe
they are
not coming? Will it be ready in time? Why do
they need such a big field? Why are there so
many big trucks?"
Down the highway comes the gaily-painted
spool truck, a huge vehicle holding the tent.
Right behind it is a stake driver, a pole truck
and one of the house trailers. One by one the
rest of cast, crew and support staff arrive, each
waiting for the lot manger to tell them where
to park. During the next two hours more than
80 vehicles carrying circus equipment, ani-
mals, people and paraphernalia will arrive.
And in each of the 250 towns that the circus
shows, the townies are there to watch, visit,
ask questions and be amazed.
The townies ask all
kinds of questions:
“Why do you stay in
a town for only one
day?” Tradition.
Carson and Bames Cir-
cus has been on the
road for over 60 years
and it has always oper-
ated on one-day stands.
One day there is an
empty field, the next
day an entire Circus
City of tents, animal,
equipment, family en-
tertainment and fun.
The following day there
is only “wagon tracks
and popcorn sacks.”
(Only with this circus
only the wagon tracks remain - the lot is
cleaned of every scrap of trash by just about
everyone in the company - even the owners!)
That is the magic of a “real circus".
“How can you put the entire five ring show
up, perform two shows and tear it down each
and every day?" Organization. (Organiza-
tion that baffled and amazed even the army
when the circus played Killeen Fort Hood.)
The show is broken up into 22 different de-
partments, including a lent crew, prop crew,
water crew, elephant department, cookhouse,
electrical, mechanical, concessions, brigade,
press, wardrobe and others. Each crew has a
boss, who is responsible for making sure his
or her department is run in a safe and effi-
cient manner.
These and many other questions are an-
swered every day, because the townies are the
guests of the circus family. Today they are
part of their lives, part of their family, and
the circus does their best to entertain, amuse,
amaze and enlighten.
By 12 noon what was once a vacant lot
has been transformed into the largest circus
under the big top in the world - The Mighty
Carson and Bames Circus. Twenty elephants
have been watered and fed. Nine Friesian
Stallions have been groomed, fed and read-
ied for the show. Six Camels, two Llamas,
Nubian Lions, Royal Bengal Tigers, Ligers,
Zebra, Zoenys, Sicilian Donkey, Water Buf-
falo, Pigmy Hippopotamus, Dogs, Ponies,
and a small herd of goats and sheep have all
been fed and treated like beloved pets ready
to charm and delight children of all ages.
There are a few hours of down time now for
naps, letter writing and
personal chores.
At 2:45 p.m. the lot
begins to come alive.
Vendors, butchers,
performers, staff and
animal trainers, han-
dlers and me all make
ready for the show.
Today my job is easy.
All I have to do is di-
rect people toward the
entrance, ask them not
to enter through the
back lot and help in
the tent while the el-
ephants perform.
At 4:30 p.m. John
Moss, the Ringmaster, steps into the center
ring and begins with the words that have
thrilled crowds for generations, "Ladies and
Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Children of all
ages...” Now the real magic begins!
Americas only five-ring wild animal circus
under the biggest big top in the world turns
on the lights, music, glitter , glamour and
talent that is the circus. For the next two
hours the townies are treated to some of the
finest Aerialists, Clowns, Animal Acts, Ac-
robatics and dazzling death defying acts of
grace and beauty that the circus has to offer.
Just as soon as the last of the townies have
left the midway after the show, it all begins
again. At 7:30 p.m. the entire show is re-
peated for a second crowd of excited patrons.
When the last guest has left the tent, Neal
NE DAY THERE IS AN
EMPTY FIELD, THE
NEXT DAY AN ENTIRE
Circus City of tents,
ANIMAL, EQUIPMENT,
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
AND FUN.
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Espitia, Paula. South Texas Catholic Monthly (Corpus Christi, Tex.), Vol. 34, No. 6, Ed. 1 Tuesday, June 1, 1999, newspaper, June 1, 1999; Corpus Christi, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth855660/m1/9/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .