Bud E. Anderson Circus 1940 #4

I like this marquee with Mr. Anderson's portrait at the peak and adorned with the American flag. The lectures given by Johnny and Fred Dahlinger yesterday at the Ringling Museum were for a host of trainee tour guides (Docents?) who when leading people thru the new attractions being added will have some sort of basic knowledge to answer questions. Afterward Debbie Walk took John and I thru the various construction sites and I was amazed to learn that $47 mil was involved in this undertaking. One huge structure will be the reception building for the entire grounds including the Art Museum and the John Ringling Mansion. The Oscelo Theater has been dismantled, refurbished and will be reassembled in yet another building. I was under the impression that the Tibbals miniature circus would simply be erected and a structure built around it. Not so, it only occupies a portion of the building, after taking the elevator upstairs we find that Harold Dunn's street parade has a room to itself , the 40 horse hitch leading, the next section is a large number of spec floats from the JRN era, etc. another large room featuring lithos depicting the History of the American Circus and finally a room with photos of contemporary circuses and people. While upstairs you can get a good look at Howard Bros. Circus from overhead. From driving teensy railroad spikes Dale Riker has developed a hell of a grip, try as I may I couldn't wrest away the dinner check.