Fair Pix #4

1964 NY WORLD'S FAIR CONTINENTAL CIRCUS A European one ring circus was assembled under a white and yellow vinyl structure that seated 5000. Star acts, recruited from all over the world, ranged from acrobats to chimpanzes who played musical instruments. The American performers on the international roster included the Flying Alexanders. Members of the English Hanneford family performed equstrian feats. There were several animal acts including elephants and a gorilla that did bicycle tricks. A parade marched from the circus building through the fairgrounds twice a day. An added attraction was a Circus Museum. The candy striped pavilion had exhibits from the famous Ringling Circus Museum in Sarasota, Florida. The displays reconstructed the history of the circus, from the chariot contests in ancient Rome's Circus Maximus to the present, with emphasis on the flamboyant Barnum and Bailey period at the turn of the century. Admission to both circus and museum was $1.00. The failure of the Continental Circus left a large vacancy in the amusement Area for the 1965 season. The answer was the underwhelming Continental Park, a collection of a few rides and several animals.