When I got back over there, for the Winter Tour of 1980, the Sparks ticket wagon was parked in the back. It was on the way to the Cat Dept. area, and finally my curiosity got the best of me. I found to my surprise that to enter all one had to do was open the door. I sat trying to absorb the atmosphere of what all could have occurred in that wagon, besides counting money. Someone once wondered about its destiny, and I overheard Johnny Pugh saying no one could get that wagon for a million dollars. I'm glad it is now preserved and protected.
Early on, I developed immense respect for the organization and movement of the show. Back when it looked like this, Pop Werner had the Big Top up by 8 am. The seat wagons, arena, flying act, rings and props were set by 10:30, and everyone was walking away. We had time for Cookhouse and some rest before coming back for the matinee. When school was out, matinees often started at 2:15 pm. When school was back in, during the fall, matinees began at 4 pm, giving us less time between shows.
On the Castle show, with no top, even given his long jumps, many of us commented on getting the show set up barely in time for Cleo's whistle.
7 comments:
Jimmy, can this show make a 2:00 matinee on opening day?
OOPS!......This question was intended for 2010.
They open with a 4:30 matinee. The Newport date was not so good, but I understand many of the other stands in that area were very good.
The ticket wagon truck on the right is preserved in Baraboo. The body came off the Sparks 1947 rail show.
Show is generally pretty well set by 11 a.m. on set up day. 2:00 p.m. matinee would not be an issue.
Carl
When I got back over there, for the Winter Tour of 1980, the Sparks ticket wagon was parked in the back. It was on the way to the Cat Dept. area, and finally my curiosity got the best of me. I found to my surprise that to enter all one had to do was open the door. I sat trying to absorb the atmosphere of what all could have occurred in that wagon, besides counting money. Someone once wondered about its destiny, and I overheard Johnny Pugh saying no one could get that wagon for a million dollars. I'm glad it is now preserved and protected.
Early on, I developed immense respect for the organization and movement of the show. Back when it looked like this, Pop Werner had the Big Top up by 8 am. The seat wagons, arena, flying act, rings and props were set by 10:30, and everyone was walking away. We had time for Cookhouse and some rest before coming back for the matinee. When school was out, matinees often started at 2:15 pm. When school was back in, during the fall, matinees began at 4 pm, giving us less time between shows.
On the Castle show, with no top, even given his long jumps, many of us commented on getting the show set up barely in time for Cleo's whistle.
My favorite memories of the wagon
were of Arnold Maley & Edna Antes
I would watch Arnold make change
for tickets at the back window in
amazement & delight & "Mrs" Antes
was so incredibly precise with
perfect poise & style of manner
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