Milwaukee Parade Order

Parade Route, Order

Prelude Section, part one
P1. Sweep of the Great Circus Parade Route by the Milwaukee Police Motorcycle Unit and the Milwaukee Co. Sheriff's Motorcycle Unit.
P2. Yesterday on Wheels: Antique motor vehicles organized by Walt Wilde of Oconomowoc
P3. Street Trolley from Milwaukee Trolley and Transit Express
P4. Classic Reunion Drum Corps with corps members from throughout Wisconsin
P5. Late 1800s to early 1900s bicycles: The Wheelmen, more than 50 antique high-wheel bicycle riders
P6. Whacky Wheeler: Rob Summerbill of Mazomanie. Acrobatic feats performed on a giant rolling wheel; tribute to the clowns of the silent movie era
Prelude Section, part two
1. Milwaukee Metropolitan NCO Council Color Guard, Non-Commissioned Officers' Council. Established in 1960 by senior sergeants in the U.S. Army, 84th Division, the group was formed to foster a better understanding of the military and its role in maintaining the security of our Nation.
2. West Allis Lancer Band under the direction of Dan Hofman
3. Circus World Museum Omnibus pulled by two black Percherons. Team by Roger & Jan Cavanaugh of Neenah. Passengers: members of the Wisconsin Historical Society
4. Tennessee Walking Horse Troupe: 10 female riders in period riding jackets
5. Milwaukee County Sheriff's Mounted Patrol (five riders)
6. Carriage with Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker. Carriage and horses by Caroline Ausman of Burlington.
7. Milwaukee Police Department Mounted Patrol (seven riders)
8. Milwaukee Police Band: the oldest police band in the United States, under the direction of Lt. Karen Dubis
9. Carriage carrying Mayor Tom Barrett and his wife, Kris. Carriage by Caroline Ausman of Burlington
10. Wisconsin Capitol Mounted Police (10 riders). Affiliated with the Wisconsin State Fair Park, they are the oldest and largest continual mounted unit in Wisconsin.
Patriotic Section
11. #400 GCP introductory wagon pulled by four Chestnut Halfingers Teamster: Dave & Margaret Kraus of Stratford, Wis. Topriders: Circus World performers Los Antons and Duo Fusion.
12. 50-State Flag Unit from Great Lakes Recruiting Station
13. Navy Band Great Lakes: marching band from the Great Lakes Naval Training Station at Great Lakes, Ill.
14. Patriotic Section leaders on horseback, heralding the Star-Spangled Section: Jean Olson & Tracy Auch
15. Villa Louis vis-à-vis from the Wisconsin Historical Society Site. Passengers: Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle & First Lady Jessica Doyle. Carriage team by Dean Achenbach, of Prairie du Chien
16. Mounted flag bearers by members of the Wisconsin Morgan Horse Club. Riders coordinated by Annie Randall of Baraboo. Members: Mary Lou Neidhart, Leila Erdmann, Judy Tate, Debbie Fairbanks, Jerry Coffey, Beth Anne Heyrman, Mary Ellen Gray, Barbara Knopf, Darcy Overturf, Jeff Buelow and Colleen Finnegan.
17. #47 Ringling Bros. U.S. Bandwagon pulled by 10 Sorrel Belgians. Teamster: Walt Schaefer of Winfred, S.D. 15-piece Milwaukee American Legion Band, Richard Schwartz, director.
18. #22 Norris & Rowe Break Talley Ho pulled by four carriage horses. Team by Bob Johnson of Delmar, Iowa. Eight topriders in early 1900s performer wardrobe: Nick Packard, Gina Gierach, Michelle Pink, Jason Pink, Carolyn Meineiz, Rhonda Chojnacki, Shannon Meinerz, Ariel Namauicz
19. Lady Liberty on stilts, portrayed by Deborah Davis of Milwaukee
20. Uncle Sam on stilts portrayed by Gary Soule of Sturgeon Bay
21. Patriotic Marching Band: Sauk Prairie H. S. Marching Band; Sue Halloway, director
22. #76 Christy Bros. Beauty Tableau pulled by four matched Percherons. Team by Tim & Linda Klinger of Glenwood City, Wis. Nine circus topriders in period sailor girl costumes: Anita Schwed, Karen R Forrer, Elana Rotter, Arlene Litow, Valerie Hawkins, Martha Clark, Georgia Marsel, Patty Karter, Betsy Roberts
23. Continental Soldiers on horseback: Yvonne Halfmann & Don Halfmann of Columbus, Wis.
24. Washington's Inaugural Carriage: Two Percherons by Mary Jane Swedberg of Oconomowoc. George Washington portrayed by Thor Stolen; Martha Washington portrayed by Elaine Everding
25. Lutheran Vanguard Marching Band under the direction of Jim Neujahr
26. Star-Spangled Equestriennes; riders coordinated by Jeff Feypel. Riders: Sandy Cole, Sherri Torrison, Moriah Auch, Diane Brauer, Azye Smith, Stacy Kovnesky, Sharon Feypel, Cindy Anderson, Sandy Rogers, Sandy Robers, Jack Cardwell and Jeff Feypel.
27. #23 Hagenbeck-Wallace cage wagon pulled by four black Percherons. Teamster: Gary Nampel of Watertown. Animals: three Royal Bengal tigers by Animal Entertainments
28. #62 Columbia Bandwagon pulled by eight black Percherons. Teamster: Sid Post of Marshfield. 15-piece Old Mapleton Circus Band under the direction of Robert Ludwig
Wild West Section
29. Wild West section leaders on horseback. Amy Kirse of Wittenberg, Wis., & Chelsea Novinska of Fennimore, Wis.
30. Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley. Buffalo Bill portrayed by Jim Brown; Annie Oakley portrayed by Cathy Wagner
31. #80 Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Tableau (Pawnee Bill bandwagon), pulled by 10 black / bay Clydesdales. Teamsters: Eric & Dianne Brown of Zearing, Iowa. 15-piece Wild West Band under the direction of Art Zens
32. The Congress of Rough Riders. Riders: Robert Stifter, Karl Kirmse, Robert Boehlke, Sam Foye, Chuck Bright, Elaine Bright, Sam Foye Jr., Brian Lehmann, Rich Bruner, Timothy C. Puckett, Tony Seman, Darren Schultz, Tony Gurrola and Rick Brackmann.
33. Wisconsin Dells H. S. Cossack Marching Band under the direction of Marti Fults
34. Buffalo Bill ticket wagon pulled by four Belgians. Teamster: Richard Kuck of Athens, Wis.
35. Wade House Stagecoach. Teamster: Dan Wittgreave of Elkhart Lake. Wild West Riders: Michael Fox, Marie Fox, Stephen Fox, Katie Segel Liban. This stagecoach is an authentic reproduction of the coaches that brought travelers to and from the Historic Wade House stagecoach inn in Greenbush during the 1850s.
36. #116 Ken Maynard air calliope pulled by four Clydesdales. Teamster: Tina Miller of Tomah. Calliophone technician: Jim Anderson
37. Tom Mix & Wives. Portrayed by: S. A. Darrigrand of Onsted, Mich., & KC Salas of Santa Paula, Calif., & Nancy M Harm of Northville, Mich.
38. Buck Jones, famous Western cowboy. Portrayed by Colin Runck of Horicon.
39. Cowgirl Shannon Jo Arritola riding the Texas Long Horn steer "Cowboy"
40. Wild West Show characters (with rope twirlers). Riders: Jeff Rydin, Linda M Beckner, Charlie Keyes, Herb Heck and friends
41. #201 Adam-Forepaugh Stringer Wagon pulled by four black / grey Percherons. Teamster: Kenneth Koester of Scales Mound, Ill. 15-piece Wild West Band under the direction of Donna Siegl
42. Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders. Roosevelt portrayed by Dennis Mahuta. Riders: Gerry Vanderloop, Walter Jones, Steven Covey, Mich Steenbekkers, Dave Broeren
43. CW1 101 Ranch Covered Wagon pulled by four mules. Teamster: Glenn Rodewald of Manitowoc.
44. #100 Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Tableau (Great Britain) pulled by six North American spotted drafts. Teamster: Jim Schmaltz of Grand Forks, N.D. 15-piece Wild West Band under the direction of Michael Iannantuoni
45. Stilt-walking cowboy and cowgirl: Josh Bryan and Amy Nelson
46. #44 Cole Bros. Tableau (Gollmar Bros. Lion & Tiger Tableau) pulled by four mules. Teamster: Lee Janssen of McCook, Neb. Riders: Bill Soderstrom, Lorna Granger, Susan Young, Al Young, Katherine Ringling North II, Bob Carroll
Ringling Bros. Section
47. Ringling Section Leaders - walking
Patricia Pluta Kupkovits & George Kupkovits of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
48. Al Ringling Carriage (John Ringling North II and his wife Shirley)
Team Bob Johnson of Delmar, Iowa
49. Ringling Bros. Lion Bandwagon pulled by 8 Black Shires
Teamster: Troy Havilland of Gilbert, Arizona
13-piece Circus Band under the direction of Dick Strauss
50. Carriage with Mrs. Lou Ringling, First Lady of the American Circus
Horses by Bob Johnson of Delmar, Iowa
Mrs. Lou Ringling portrayed by Lu Ann Amey
51. Ringling Equestriennes
Riders: Barb Dylak, Kris DeMarce, Heidi Andrews, Bonnie McMullen, Jennifer Hans, Renee Rick, Lindsay Mikes, Donna Wilterdink, Aubrey Anton, Kim Mackey, Kathleen Carney, Cindy Horning, Kimberly Horning, Jolene Gremminger, Darla Dawkins, Todd Andrews, Carrie Schultz, and Shelby Anton.
52. Waukesha North H.S. Marching Band under the direction of Steve Fisher and Greg Richlin. The Waukesha North "Northstar" Marching Band will be representing Wisconsin in the 2010 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
53. #39 Ringling Bros. Giraffe Wagon pulled by 4 Sorrel Belgians
Teamster: Terri Kipp-Johnson of Loyal, Wisconsin
Giraffe by Animal Entertainments
54. B&B "Cinderella" Pony Float pulled by 4 Sorrel Welsh Ponies
Teamster: Will Swierenga of Darien, Wisconsin
55. B&B "Mother Goose" Pony Float pulled by 6 Sorrell Welsh Ponies
Teamster: Joseph Abell of Walworth, Wisconsin
56. Ringling Bros. Bell Wagon pulled by 6 Black Percherons
Teamster: Dick & Marie Brown of Hudson, Iowa
Cathedral Bells of Moscow played by Carolineer: Rory Bolton
57. Ringling Bros. Snake Den pulled by 4 Grey Percherons
Teamster: Dennis & Jennifer Goldsmith of Swanton, Ohio
Snake charmers plus 4 snakes by Animal Entertainments
58. Clown Snake Charmers (2 walking characters)
Portrayed by Neal Skoy & Laura Otremba
59. Silver King and Madame Ava (single rider and famous Ringling Horse)
Portrayed by: Mary Vanderloop of Malone, Wis.
60. #37 Hagenbeck-Wallace Tableau (Lion's Bride) pulled by 6 Black Percherons
Teamster: Walter Hemmersbach of Cashton, Wis.
15-piece Circus Band under the direction of Gerald Stich
61. #60 Ringling Bros. Cage pulled by 4 Black Percherons
Teamster: Steve Knapp of Galesburg, Michigan
1 Lion provided by Animal Entertainments
Children's Section
62. Circusmobile carrying The Grand Clown of The Great Circus Parade, award winning actor Ernest Borgnine and his wife, entrepreneur Tova
Circusmobile furnished by Festa Italiana and The Italian Community Center
Driven by David Barkin, grandson of Parade Founder Ben Barkin
63. Baraboo H. S. Marching Clown Band under the direction of Greg Lang
64. High Class Clown on stilts - Walter (Never Falter) Jankowski of Monona, Wis.
65. #75 Hagenbeck-Wallace Fairy Tales Tableau pulled by 6 Black / White PercheronsTeamster: Ron & Mary Christianson of Reedsville, Wis.
Fairy Tale Riders: Faith Wittig, Lila Wittig-Graser, Nick Barth, Sheri Barth, Sam Sherman, Jeannine Sherman, Sally Marks, Robb Marks and friends.
66. All-American Circus Cage pulled by 6 Black / White miniature horses
Teamster: Hal Bryant of Norris City, Ill. Baboons provided by Animal Entertainments
67. B&B "Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe" Pony Float pulled by 4 Ponies
Teamster: Roger Griffith of Cambridge, Iowa,Old Woman: Rita Lang
68. Gold Knights
Riders: Kristine A. Baker, Lisa Docter, and Beth Gehris.
69. Barnum & Bailey Golden Age of Chivalry pulled by 6 Black / Grey Percherons
Teamster: Les & Sandi Benner of Millington, Michigan
Maiden: Meghan Shannon
Knights: Kevin Shannon & Eric Pagels
70. Green Knights
Terry Richards, Susan Marie Hasler, and Cyndi Kostichka
71. Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps., under the direction of Roman Blenski.
72. #34 Golden Bros. Tableau pulled by 4 Black Percherons
Teamster: Leland and Connie Hovey of Cresco, Iowa
Riders: Norm Mishelow, John Diedrich, Shirley Glomoceitz, Noah Reiss, Andy & Abby Schroeder.
73. Cinderella Unit begins with 2 Mounted Pages
Teresa O'Hearn and Kim Stegbauer
74. Carriage (with King and Queen go to the ball) pulled by 1 black Percheron
Teamster: Lynn Perreault of Cashton, Wis.
King: Bruce O'Neill
Queen: Peppy O'Neill
75. Green Court men
Randy Schultz, Michaelene Schultz, and Rick Roberts
76. Courtiers going to the ball
Gary N. Ringel, Tiffany Ohlemiller, Doreen Ohlemiller, Steven Ohlemiller, Stephen L. Castner, and Heidi Hochhausen
77. Blue Court men
Clarence J Pethan, Kari Wetter, Sandy Meier
78. New Berlin West H. S. Marching Band under the direction of Mark Grower
Located in a suburb of Milwaukee, the New Berlin West High School has make Newsweek Magazine's list of "Top 1000 High Schools in America" for six years running. The 60 -member group directed by Mark Grauer is debuting new blue and gold uniforms. Drum Major Katie Hausmann is a member of the 2009 Bands of America National Honor Band appearing in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The New Berlin West Band recently performed for the American School Band Directors Association's Convention .
79. 2 stilt walking jesters: Sophia Stevens and Marcia Miquelon.
80. Wooden Farm Wagon (w/ stepmother and ugly stepsisters) pulled by 2 Mules
Teamster: Don Bales of Subula, Iowa
Wicked Stepmother: Mary L. Simmons
Ugly Stepsister #1: Keiandra Honeysucker
Ugly Stepsister #2: Kiara Honeysucker
81. Cinderella Unit Banner Page and Glass Slipper Page
Laura Topham and Kate Wolf
82. Prince Charming on horse back
Lawrence Smoller of North Prairie, Wis.
83. RBBB Cinderella Carriage pulled by 6 Shetland Ponies
Teamster: Blair C. Purcell of Stouffville, Ontario, Canada
Cinderella: Martha Ziegler
84. Carriage (w/Fairy Godmother) pulled by 2 ponies
Teamster: Gary Norwick of Waukesha, WI; Footman: Robert Trader.
Fairy Godmother: Jenifer Fox
85. #20-A Terrell Jacobs Una-Fon Wagon pulled by 6 miniature Ponies
Teamster: Wayne Withers of Newark, Ill.
Authentic Una Fon instrument by J.C. Deagan of Chicago, Ill.
86. #19-A Terrell Jacobs Wolf Tableau pulled by 4 Ponies
Teamster: Martin Hilldreth of Rockwell City, Iowa
Circus Splendors Section
87. Circus Splendor Section Leaders - walking
Jill Kruse and Joan Kinateder
88. #1 John Robinson Bandwagon pulled by 6 Black Percherons
Teamster: Walter & Lucille Rice of Delta, Penn.
15-piece Circus Band under the direction of Dale Deeds
89. #66 B. B. & H. Cage/Tableau pulled by 4 grey / dapple Percherons
Teamster: Mary Jane Swedberg of Oconomowoc, Wis.
Topriders: Ephraim Williams portrayed by Andre' Lee Ellis
Mrs. Williams portrayed by: Brooke Tatum
Ephraim Williams was America's First African-American Circus Owner and got his start in Milwaukee. His railroad circus traveled throughout the upper Midwest.
90. #89 B&B Cage/Tableau (Whiskers) pulled by 4 Grey Percherons
Teamster: Mike & Denise Gildernick of DePere, Wis.
Tapir provided by Animal Entertainments
91. #52 F. J. Taylor Bandwagon pulled by 6 grey Percherons
Teamster: James & Lori Volden Olsen of Cashton, Wis.
12-piece Windjammers Band under the direction of Charles Schlarbaum
92. #11 Arthur Bros. Ticket Wagon pulled by 6 Sorrel Roan Belgians
Teamster: Darrel Stair of Mindoro, Wis.
Clown: Keith Crary, Milwaukee native and award winning make-up artist
93. #20 Sparks Bandwagon pulled by 4 Belgians
Teamster: Jody & Mike Schulz of Kewaskum, Wis.
Top riders from the Mary Mack - African-American Folk Heritage Ensemble, coordinated by Shirley Gilbert. Candra Gilbert, Dennis Robinson, Chris Gilbert.
94. South Milwaukee Marching Band - Gail Kablau & Bobby Lindsey, Directors
95. Carriage carrying Great Circus Parade Clown Coordinator; Therese "Tickles" Hall
Carriage and horses by Bob Johnson of Delmar, Iowa
96. Ladies of the Ring (3 side-saddle riders and 1 outrider)
Debra Zeit, Susie Glab, Kathleen Bowman, and Janet L. Brown
97. #85 Carl Hagenbeck Cage Wagon (Picture Frame) pulled by 4 Chestnut Suffolks
Teamster: Liza Howe of Lena, Ill.
White tigers provided by Animal Entertainments
98. #81 Christy Bros. Band Tableau pulled by 6 Red Sorrel Belgians
Teamster: Dana Stitchert of Chili, Wis.
10-piece Circus band under the direction of Nicholas Contorno
99. Grand Equestrienne in White Carriage
Terri Kipp-Johnson of Loyal, Wis.
100.Rainbow Equestriennes
Diana Smith, Jackie Heinen, Jennifer Gaudes, Laura Smoller, Kim Stearns, Cindy Kilman, Debi Radtke, Heather Nelson, Jane Borntraeger, Mindy Zinthefer, Holly Kuester, Misty Allar, Katy Mara, Nanette Krebsbach, Marian McVeigh, Debra J. Dixon, Nancy Rogers, Nicole Dickenson, Paul Wasielewski, and Fran Mara
101. #82 Cole Bros. Air Calliope pulled by 4 Baloneys
Teamster: Eugene Tylee of Boyceville, Wis.
Musician: Famed circus musician Larry Stout on the calliope
102. Golden Bros. Cage Wagon pulled by 4 White Percherons
Teamster: Mary Jane Swedberg of Oconomowoc, Wis.
Kangaroos by Animal Entertainments
103. #21 Gollmar Bros. Band Tableau pulled by 6 Mixed Percherons
Teamster: Dean Kruger of Wonewoc, Wis.
12-piece Clown Band under the direction of Gerald Stich
International Section
104. International Section Leaders - walking
Jason Christ and Jennifer Christ
105. Elegant Equestriennes - Coordinator: Michelle M. Liggett
Anne Moss, Deb Bricker, Mary Godwin, Beatrice Barry, Ruth Riegel, Mary Ann Guaraldi, Lynn Mclaughlin, Jennifer Ganzer, John Moss, Steve Luoni, Beth Brown, Brian Gesuero, and Kurt Bricker
106. Bostock-Wombwell Menagerie Band Carriage pulled by 6 Black Percherons
Teamster: Steve Nampel of Johnson Creek, Wis.
8-piece English circus band under the direction of Nicholas Contorno
107. Syrena Polish Dance Company - a popular favorite at Polish Fest in Milwaukee. The Syrena Polish Folk Dance Ensemble maintains a diverse repertoire of Polish frolk and court dances plus an inventory of over 250 lavish costumes. Syrena has 11 complete suites of dance, choreographed by Artistic Director Ada Dziewanoska.
108. Canopy Carriers w/sheltered princess (1 rider & 4 walking characters)
Princess: Krin (Kristen) Buran; Canopy Carriers: Paul Ruggieri, Jenni Woyak, Roberta Herrick, Carrie Richard
109. #80 Cole Bros. "FRANCE" Tableau pulled by 6 Black Percherons
Teamster: Bill Knapp of Richland, Michigan
Riders: Travis Ziegler, Sue Ziegler, Samantha Kading, Rosemary Hughes, Tim Hughes, Daniel Hughes, Tom Matthews, Tracy Matthews, and Janet Matthews
110. Irish Folk Dance Groups representing Irish Fest, coming up Aug. 13 - 16.
Dancers from six different groups including: the Cashel-Dennehy Irish Dancers, the Kinsella Irish Dancers, the Glencastle Irish Dancers, the McMenamin Irish Dancers, the Rince Nia Irish Dancers, and the Trinity Irish Dancers.
111. Hanneford Band Carriage pulled by 6 Leopard Appaloosas
Teamster: Bob Johnson of Delmar, Iowa
6 piece Irish Circus Band under the direction of Sandy La Clair
112. #19 Sells-Floto Cage Wagon pulled by 4 Black Percherons
Teamster: Thomas Miller of Florence, Wis.
3 tigers from Animal Entertainments
113. Italian Folk Heritage Group
114. Royal Italian Band Carriage pulled by 6 b/w large ponies
Teamster: Tyler Harold of Fancy Gap, Vir.
8-piece circus band under the direction of Nicholas Contorno
115.Herd of three Franzen Bros. Elephants
Riders: Lindsay Schneider, Tara Zitzner, and Arianna Lipp
116. Watertown H. S. Marching Band under the direction of Reid LaDew
117. Arabian Folk Heritage Group
118. Bedouin Riders by Harry and Sandy Vosekuil of Beaver Dam,Wis., Maily Kocinski, Mikah Vosekuil, Trisha Thiede, and Fern Thiede
119. #181 Al G. Barnes Elephant Tableau pulled by 6 Grey Percherons
Teamster: Duffy Layton of Stanfordville, N.Y.
120. Herd of three Carson & Barnes Elephants
Riders: Barbara Fox-McNeillor, Nancy Meinerz, and Faye Fox
121. #71 Cole Bros. "ASIA" Tableau pulled by 8 Blonde Belgians
Teamster: Nancy Janssen of Auburn, Iowa
12-piece Windjammers Circus Band under the direction of Connie Thomas
122. #200 United We Stand Wagon pulled by 2 Clydesdales
Teamster: Larry Ruebush of Good Hope, Ill.
Veteran and Recruit Military Personnel
123. B&B Our Country Tableau pulled by 4 Black Percherons
Teamster: Francis Gross of Jefferson, Wis.
Betsy Ross: Dolores Mishelow
124. Mexican Folk Heritage Group from Mexican Fiesta
Since 1977 Mexican Fiesta has brought a taste of Mexico to Milwaukee. This year the Fiesta takes place on Aug. 21, 22 and 23 the Fiesta will share Mexico's history, food, and great entertainment with the people of Milwaukee. .
125. #76 Cole Bros. "AMERICA" Steam Calliope pulled by 8 Black Percherons
Teamster: Terry & Pam Marker of Versailles, Ohio
Musicians: Dave Moorecraft & Jon Tschiggfrie
Calliope Technician: Bernie Hotzel
The 2009 Great Circus Parade concludes with:
126. Those Magnificent Street Sweepers of The Milwaukee Sanitation Department - The White Wingers

Milwaukee Parade sponsors

Great Circus Parade donors announced
By Jackie Loohauis-Bennett of the Journal Sentinel
July 9, 2009
The Great Circus Parade Inc. has the list of major donors who have funded The Great Circus Parade on July 12. Here is the listing from their press release:
Stella Jones Foundation
Roundy's
MillerCoors
Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation
David and Julia Uihlein Charitable Foundation
Northwestern Mutual Foundation
Marcus Corporation Foundation
Evan and Marion Helfaer Foundation
AirTran
Meinerz Family Foundation
M&I Foundation
Mary Strange Charitable Lead Trust
Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation
Midwest Airlines
Jack McKeithan
Gary Poliner
Charles Trainer
Hundreds of smaller donations have been received and are gratefully acknowledged."

The release also says: "In addition, two major contributors asked that their gifts be anonymous, and we have honored those requests. We especially want to thank the board of directors of the Great Circus Parade:Jack McKeithan,William Fox,Carol Bourne,John Burke, Jr.,Willie Davis,Steve Marcus,Blaine Rieke,Roy Reiman,Thomas Smallwood,Donna Strong,Charles Trainer"

Great sign!

Circus Model Builders Convention

Sometime during the mid 1960's the Circus Model Builders had a convention at Circus World Museum. This might have been a National Convention. I am really looking forward to the long drive next Monday to Peru, IN. to see this years National Convention. Shame I can't stay a few days. Oh What fun, it is to ride, in a ..... Oops wrong song.

Circus Model Builders Convention

What a great place for a Circus Model Builders Convention. This is the original rail sheds for the Ringling Bros. Circus located in Baraboo, WI.

Circus Model Builders Convention

Circus Model Builders Convention

Circus Model Builders Convention

Just beautiful!

Circus Model Builders Convention

What a great train display!

Circus Model Builders Convention

Circus Model Builders Convention

I know this is hard to see but that looks like about a 1/2 or 3/4" scale advertising car there.

Circus Model Builders Convention

I know these are pretty hard to see but they are 40 years old film and taken in the train car sheds in Baraboo.

Baraboo News Republic story

Everybody really loves the parade: Happy Days return to streets of Milwaukee

Associated Press
By Brian D. Bridgeford / News Republic-->

Boys and girls of all ages packed downtown Milwaukee curbs and cheered for clowns, marching bands and elaborately carved and colorful circus wagons as the Great Circus Parade rolled by after a six-year hiatus.
In the culmination of more than a year of work by staff at Baraboo’s Circus World Museum and fundraising efforts by Milwaukee sponsor Great Circus Parade, Inc., the parade’s 52 circus wagons, 250 horses and 30 bands moved through the city for the first time since 2003. That had been the last Milwaukee parade because financial problems ended support by a major donor. The parade also rolled through Baraboo in 2004 and 2005.
In addition to being seen along a two-hour route beginning on the Great Circus Festival grounds near Lake Michigan, the parade was also broadcast live by Milwaukee Public Television and could be seen via public television stations around the state and around the country.
Viewed on Madison’s Channel 21, the spectacle kicked off with an honor guard carrying United States and other flags followed by a Milwaukee-based military band.
Early in the parade horse-drawn carriages appeared carrying many local and state notables including Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl and Governor James Doyle and First Lady Jessica Doyle. Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker looked very dapper and braved a very sunny, warm day in a 19th Century-style top hat and long coat with tails.
Also leading the parade was a wagon carrying smiling and waving Circus World Musem performers including the Duo Fusion hand-balancing team and Los Antons acrobats.
Children could be seen sitting on the curb watching and clapping as a group of five African elephants passed in their stately manner.
Gilded and colorful CWM wagons like the Ringling Bros. United States Tableau wagon drawn by a team of eight draft horses passed while a band played from a perch atop it. Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty figures strode by standing very tall on stilts.
Among the many clowns participating in the event was 92-year-old veteran movie actor Ernest Borgnine, a longtime fan of clowning and parade participant. He told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he saw "nothing but miles and miles of smiles" along the parade route.
Caught by cell phone at the parade grounds as the last wagons and parade participants were completing the route, parade director and CWM singing Ringmaster Dave Saloutos said he was excited with how well it went and relieved a year of heavy work was completed successfully.
"They loved it, absolutely loved it," he said. "Children of all ages is really the catch phrase for this one, from little kids all the way up to grandma and grandpa, just loving it."
Saloutos said the crowd gave big applause for patriotic-themed parade participants such as a 50-state marching unit and marching band from the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois.
"(The naval band) was awesome," he said. "I actually started to shed a tear when they started playing, they were so dynamic."
Later in the parade on a wagon with the theme "United We Stand," Saloutos said a large number of older veterans and young military recruits took part.
"We had them going back to Korea," he said. "I think we had a World War II vet in there. And then the young recruits that haven’t yet gone to service.
"That got a big applause from the audience."
There were places along the parade route where parade watchers were stacked 20-people deep and other people sought out locations from which to watch the parade that nobody has ever used before, said CWM Executive Director Steve Freeze.
"It was absolutely phenomenal," he said. "They are telling me this might be the second largest crowd ever to come to the Great Circus Parade.
"It was absolutely huge," Freese said.
Drivers of the horse-drawn wagons reported people yelling out to thank them for bringing the parade back to Milwaukee, he said.
Shortly after the parade Wagon Superintendent Harold "Heavy" Burdick said he was busy packing things up for the trip back to Baraboo and didn’t have much time for comment. "The parade went excellently," he said.
Freese said there are no plans to have a parade next year or to continue it on an annual basis as it once was. Instead, the next parade will depend on when managers of Great Circus Parade, Inc., local and state officials decide they want to do it again.
"They may look at when they are going to do the next parade," he said. "But it will really be up to them.
"We would be happy as soon as somebody wants to hire us to do it," Freese said. "It would really be a great thing to do."
The live PBS broadcast of the return of the Great Circus Parade was seen in television markets where 50 percent of the United States population live, he said. And that means more people will hear about CWM and could be drawn to visit the museum.
"Unlike in years past when it might be live in Wisconsin, it was live in Los Angeles, live in New York, live in Boston, live in Washington, D.C.," he said. "In all the bigger cities of this country they were carrying this live on public television."
Saloutos agreed the return of the parade will be good for attracting people to visit CWM in the future. And he agreed the work of putting on the parade in Milwaukee is worth the effort.
"It’s a big economic impact for us in many ways," he said. "It can’t be done anywhere else and it isn’t done anywhere else."
Saloutos said he looks forward to a future Great Circus Parade. However, since each parade requires nearly a year of work, he was glad there are no plans for a Great Circus Parade 2010.
"Whenever it happens, it will be a great thing," he said. "But I haven’t heard any definite plans."
Saloutos said many people helped make the parade a success, including volunteers brought together by Baraboo resident Ralph Pierce who helped to keep the parade moving in an orderly manner.
"Everybody, from wardrobe and the musicians and teamsters, and the equestrians that brought this thing to life and the clowns, it was wonderful," he said.
Freese said Saloutos, magician and museum staff member Tristan Christ and Wagon Superintendent Burdick did a tremendous amount of work to make the event happen. It was a phenomenal job, he said.
Because of the $1.5 million Great Circus Parade, Inc. put into the parade, Saloutos said museum craftspeople have been able to restore many wagons to beautiful condition for future visitors. Supporting that restoration is another good outcome of the parade, he said.
"This is our heritage, our circus heritage," Saloutos said. "It’s something I feel very strongly about being a Baraboo person."

Baraboo News Republic article

Here comes the Parade! Milwaukee gets a repeat treat
By Christie Taylor / News Republic

Calliope music, marching bands, and the clip-clop of hundreds of horses pulling dozens of antique wagons will fill the streets of Milwaukee Sunday afternoon, as "the greatest show on Earth" returns from a six-year hiatus.
Until 2003, the Great Circus Parade had been a frequent visitor to Milwaukee since 1963, echoing an old tradition of displaying attractions in the streets to advertise a circus’ arrival in a new city.
Baraboo’s own Circus World Museum is organizing the spectacle, thanks to renewed funding from Great Circus Parade Inc., the Milwaukee foundation which raises the funds for the parade.
Steve Freese, the museum’s executive director, said staff at the museum have spent more than a year preparing 52 antique circus wagons for the event.
"Many of them were built in the 1890s," he said. "Anything that’s organic like that needs special care."
He said the staff had also been readying more than 1,500 costumes for marching bands, teamsters, and other parade participants.
About two dozen marching bands and bandwagon bands will appear in the parade, including one from Baraboo High School, Freese said.
Meanwhile, he said, the museum was not suffering from fewer visitors as it usually did around parade time. Instead, he said, Circus World Museum had seen a "significant" increase of 24 percent over previous years, even when discounting the blow dealt in the wake of last year’s flooding.
"This is the first year that attendance is up while we have a Milwaukee parade," Freese said.
Meanwhile, wagon superintendant Harold "Heavy" Burdick said excitement was already building at Milwaukee’s lakefront, where viewing of the wagons had been open to the public since Wednesday.
"The grounds are just packed," he said. "There’s got to be 500 people out there just watching a guy hitch some horses to a wagon."
Burdick said he expected more than half a million spectators to line the streets on parade day, and dozens of television stations nationwide will also carry a live broadcast from Milwaukee Public Television.
Burdick said the visual thrill of the circus was one that was especially important in tougher economic times.
"It’s beautiful to see all these horses hooked up to these wagons," he said. "It makes people think good things in this world, where right now it’s kind of tough. It’s amazing."
Parade director Dave Saloutos said the Great Circus Parade had been ranked the third-largest in the nation by several publications. More than 2,000 people were participating, and, he said, if the entire parade were lined up end-to-end, it would exceed five miles in length.
Aside from nearly 450 horses of all kinds to pull wagons and carry participants, the parade would also feature elephants, a giraffe, baboons, a tapir, kangaroos, a lion, and — "of course"— tigers.
Saloutos said his favorite item on the parade lineup was the historic Ringling Brothers bell wagon, which was assembled in 1892 by Baraboo’s Moeller brothers.
"It’s the first brand new wagon the Ringlings ... had created especially for them," he said.
And because the carvings and metal casting were both done in Milwaukee, Freese said, the wagon "really completes the important connection between Milwaukee and Baraboo."
"I don’t know how many people have stopped me and said thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing this back," said Saloutos, who said he has been working seven days a week since April to bring together various elements of the parade.
"I enjoy doing this because it’s a piece of our heritage, as people in Wisconsin and as Americans, and especially being a resident of Baraboo," he said.
"The circus is our heritage and it’s something we should all be proud of."

Great Circus Parade

Count the ways this colossal spectacle is special
By Jackie Loohauis-Bennett of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: July 9, 2009

How big is "stupendous"? How huge is "great"?
The Great Circus Parade has been described with every splendiferous, over-the-big-top adjective possible in its 40-year history. On Sunday, the parade returns to Milwaukee, giving us another opportunity to measure its impact.
Better yet, add it up for yourself.
18 - Number of months of preparation the parade usually requires to get ready
8 - Number of months organizers of the 2009 parade actually had to prepare
2 - Number of people the 2009 parade is dedicated to: its originators, the late Chappie Fox and Ben Barkin
1:20 p.m. - The time the pre-parade section with antique cars sets out
1909 - The earliest model year for the antique cars in the parade
1941 - The year the newest vintage car in the parade was built
1:30 p.m. - The time the Great Circus Parade proper steps off from Veterans Park
100 - Years ago that fans would have seen this type of historic parade
126 - Number of units in the parade
450 - Horses in the lineup
2.5 mph - Speed of a slow-plodding parade horse
3.4 - Length of the parade route in miles
2 - Hours it takes the parade to pass any given point
80 - Clowns in greasepaint
30 - Bands in the parade
1,050 - Musicians playing
40 - Number of songs any one person watching the parade is likely to hear
50 - The number of unique antique circus wagons in the parade
1,120 - Weight (in pounds) of the lightest wagon in the parade
18,510 - Weight (in pounds) of the heaviest wagon in the parade
15 - Approximate height (in feet) of the tallest wagon in the parade, The Golden Age of Chivalry
6 - Sections in the parade: Patriotic, Wild West, Ringling, Children's, Circus Splendors and International
2,000 - Costumes used in the parade
72,000 - feathers used by parade participants
7 - Stilt-walkers in the parade
3 - Number of times a single horse will contribute to Poop Bingo along the parade route (450 times three . . . you do the math)

Last minute items

This store front is in a town about 20 miles from me. Fits right in with the great Circus Parade this Sunday in Milwaukee!

Baraboo Parade 1965

Here are a couple "Teaser" shots similiar to the Great Circus Parade coming up this Sunday in Milwaukee. Here is the lovely Mary Ruth Herriott. My folks and us three boys had gone to the Milwaukee Parade and followed the train back to Baraboo. This parade was around the Museum area. I don't remember if this was a daily event or just a celebration parade. But for three boys, it was just great excitement!

Baraboo Parade 1965

Here is Mr. John Herriott with the three Wilbur Deppe elephants, Toby, Topsy, and Eva. The Herriots, the elephants, and the rest of the liberty animals were all moved over to Ringling in 1970.

Baraboo Parade 1965

The giant blood sweating cardboard hippopotamus from the River Nile!

The Great Circus Parade

Ah, the sights and sounds of one of America's Greatest Treasures returns in all its glory next Sunday as the Great Circus Parade once again brings the streets of Milwaukee alive with Hundreds of horses and exotic animals, 50 some circus wagons, bands, floats, and more. For the million or so people that will be there scrambling for a great view, best wishes. For the rest of us, PBS will be filming the Parade live beginning at 1:30 CST with fellow Circus Historian Fred Pfening III providing some of the Historical backgrounds on the circus entries. Check your local listings.