Sunday, March 23, 2008

Red and Blue Show Routes 1969


Ringling_route69, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.


The 1969 routing--the original circus became the Red Unit and the new unit was christened Blue and opened in March, 1969 for an abbreviated run; a full scale tour for both shows (see attached route) began in earnest in 1970 and the Blue took the "A" route with its still memorable 100th anniversary show-- a great show by any standard.

Jerry Digney

8 comments:

GaryHill said...

I always thought the Red was the Gunther Gebel Williams Show and the Blue was The Greatest Show On Earth? DUH?

Anonymous said...

That's what I thought too. The Red was new.

Monty said...

It’s hard to believe that the Red Unit played the Salem Civic Center in 1969. This very small arena was probably almost new in ’69. I saw the Red Unit in the 90’s at the nearby Roanoke Civic Center, a newer somewhat larger arena, but now all that Roanoke can even hope to see is the much downsized Gold Unit with one elephant. Excuse me; did I hear that the Gold actually had added an additional elephant?

Anonymous said...

Hey now, give Roanoke some credit. Thanks to George Carden and the Kazim Shriners, just last month, Roanokians(?) saw a 5 elephant display PLUS a one elephant display on top of that!!

Anonymous said...

Re: George Carden in Roanoke last month: yes 5 elephants PLUS intermission is still goin on.

Monty said...

Yes you are exactly right; the Shrine Circus (Royal Hannaford) was in Roanoke on February 1st, 2nd and 3rd. I have to admit that I missed it, but was told by a friend who took her kids that it was a very good circus indeed. This has become an annual event for the past several years and I have enjoyed several good Shrine shows in the past few years as far back as the mid 80’s.

Anonymous said...

Monty, it was not Royal Hanneford, Anonymous is right, George Carden took that date over in 2006, and has had it the last 3 years. Your frined is telling the truth, his show this year is very good. as is his equally long intermission.

Anonymous said...

I'D like to know the program of theBlue Unit 1969-1970.Thanks!
sigela@citromail.hu