Sunday, May 27, 2007

The CFA Convention has come and gone!

All that remains in the Banquet Hall of the Hershey Holiday Inn today are peanut sacks and wagon tracks!
John and I worked to a full house, in fact is was so crowded they couldn't laugh Ho!, Ho!, Ho!...................................
Plenty of people I hadn't seen in years, we posed for so many pictures that after a while I began to think maybe they knew something we didn't.
The first night there we all loaded aboard busses and gillied over to the new Arena to see the Red Show. I had had dinner with Bill Powell recently and he assured me that I would enjoy the show and he was right. I would even go so far to say that this is probably the best thing they have come up with in the past 10 or 15 years. All the bases were covered, an outstanding tiger act, top notch flying acts (two triples), two excellent dog acts, good teeter-board act and all at a high-energy pace. I even enjoyed a "Dancing with the Stars" clown gag.
Bello Nock has to be the most outstanding circus performer in the world today and this night he was at the top of his game, even the Bello Spec was well done. John Herriott said he couldn't believe it was the same show he had seen opening night in Tampa.
I'm embarrassed to say that I even found myself looking at replays on the big TV set.
This was the first time I had ever caught up the open menagerie and it was well done, Joe Frisco had everything spotless as usual and the public seemed to enjoy seeing the elephants in the outdoor exercise area.
There was a down side however, when we entered the arena, I was shocked to find that the audience had been allowed to descend upon the hallowed performing area. I soon spotted a young lady attempting to do a hand balancing act in the middle of all this confusion, while kids played with the props, housewives discussed their operations and an assortment of Goobers scratched their behinds and picked their noses while looking on.
It's a shame they don't open the show when the elephant comes in for the National Anthem and eliminate everything prior to that. John and I both agreed "Thank God, we were on the show in the years B.C. (before concessions).

Posted by Buckles at 5/27/2007 08:16:00 AM

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

No doubt the 2007 CFA Hershey Convention made the correct decision in asking Buckles Woodcock and John Herriott to be the Convention Speakers..It made us proud to think that we were members of the Greatest Group of Circus Fans and in our presence the two LIVING LEGENDS of the Sawdust World of the Circus. None of us wanted Friday evening to end..What a grand Three Ring, Four Stage production it was...And to top it off yesterday, I had the privilege of transporting Buckles and John to the Harrisburg Airport....Thank you both...If Tommy Hanneford were still alive "he would say great, but did we make the nut?" Yes, Tommy the 2007 CFA Convention made the nut.

27 May, 2007 11:31
Anonymous said...

I'm wondering, Buckles, are any of the elephants the ones you worked, and did they recognize you?

28 May, 2007 00:38
Anonymous said...

What I always appreciate about going on this site is that one will get your honest opinion. When it's bad, it's band, and when there is quality, you know it and will say so.
Thanks,
Carl

28 May, 2007 07:27
Buckles said...

I was never on the Red Show.
A few of elephants we saw last Thursday came from Germany with Gunther in 1969, the rest he had accumulated over the years.
"Toby" (trained by John Harriott) was added in 1970.
The one with the star on her flank ("Bangkok" or "Siam"?), arrived in 1981.
The rest added in 1991 came from Bobby Moore and included elephants he had gotten from Roman Schmitt and Al Vidbel.
"Asia" that did the pre-show painting and brought in the rider with the American Flag was a former Vidbel elephant.
What you saw the herd do in the performance was simply a continuation of what they had done the past few seasons however with the abundance of baby elephants at the Stud Farm they have great plans for the future.

28 May, 2007 07:39
Anonymous said...

I would like to personally thank Pres. Don Curtis and the Forepaugh-Lubin tent for having Buckles and yours truly as part of your wonderful CFA convention and the courtisies rendered. It is difficult to put in words the appreciation and pride that I experienced in being a part of the festivities. Also seeing so many that have been part of our lives and career over so many years. I wish that I could have spent alot more time with so many of you in "catching up". Seeing so many members of the John Herriott tent and their fine support for 45 years.[seems like yesterday]. To see Agnes King and Helen Biletti still going strong and remembering the wonderful visits with Bob and Agnes during the Mills and Hoxie years. Yes and so many of you that were part of our career.

I can assure you that it has been so enjoyable in telling Mary Ruth all about it and it will still be days in recalling all that transpired in those brief two days.The absolutely gorgeous painting that you gave me was just so surprising and beautiful that surely words can't describe my joy and thanks. I can't wait for Mary Ruth to see it and am certain it will be a cherished possession for future generations of the Herriott Family.

So with heart felt thanks to all of you who "were there" and part of it. I will always remember Hershey. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
jOHN HERRIOTT, PROUD MEMBER OF OUR CIRCUS FRATERNITY.

28 May, 2007 09:28
Anonymous said...

It's interesting to hear your reaction .
As GUNTHER ;
brought his Powerfull Flavor , Manner , Style & SPIRIT to the American Circus with an
" Animal Format " !

Maby BELLO is ;
GRADUALY ESTABLISHING HIS SHINING PATH as the Shows Focal Point with HIS " Comedic Agenda " to the Circus Arena with the ever changing focus in the AIR . He certainly has the " PANACHE " & also I understand his Blue Blooded background / knowledge / experience & versatility makes it logicaly practical & possiable .
( Plus we all need some more LEVITY in our lives in todays Complicated Tence World .
Even " whats's his name " knows that ! )
I'll be keeping MY fingers crossed , who knows , maby ole' Clown College will become an International University ?
After all ; there's an EMPTY AIRPORT HANGER starving for some " ACTION " still aviable - & near the Beach . IT COULD BE FUN !

28 May, 2007 09:52
Anonymous said...

In regard to our visit to the Red RBBB I thought the menagerie was just great and an answer to any of the public in regard to the welfare and well being of their animals. The animals were in great form and nicely exhibited. Every thing was spotlessly cleand and the animal handlers were also neat and attired in their Ringling GSOE logo. They appeared to be proud of their caharges and answering questions. Its is a plus in every way.

Bello was absolutely sensational and his pleasing personality shines thru. Especially on the big screen. He is not "over kill" and does have a great cast of acts, clowns and show girls complementing him. The pace of the show was excellent [no stalls]. Very up beat in a p;easing manner.

I am sure that in future shows he will have a new bag of tricks up his sleeve. Dancing up that sway pole was increditable and I would assume that during Intermission he would be sitting with an oxygen mask like the football players use [just kidding] but he didn't disapoint and am sure he is a great roll model and inspiration to kids. Ringling chose right and he is indeed a "super star"

The frosting on the cake for me would be three nice ring curbs on the floor surrounded by a Hippodrome track. It would enhance an already fine performance. The cat act was excellent along with Olates dogs. Great flying acts enjoyed in the traditional manner.
Certain things are always enjoyed in any circus performance in eternity.

28 May, 2007 11:04
Anonymous said...

Buckles: The reason they didn't laugh "Ho Ho Ho" was that they remembered what happend to Don Imus.

28 May, 2007 11:08

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