A Day at the Circus

Today was spent at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI.  This is where the circus started back in the 1800s. 

The Ringling Bros founded the circus in Baraboo.  They then joined forces with Barnum & Bailey after P.T. Barnum's death.  

"beauty"

"beast"

another "beauty"  This was one of the first circus tricks.  With a flashing light and mirrors the audience first saw a scary gorilla, then that image changed to see the "beauty" in the same seat where the gorilla was just sitting.  

Having some circus fun.  Tate stopped for a picture on our way to see the magician's act.

Riding the historic carousel.  This carousel really got spinning.  It is definitely one of the fastest spinning carousel's I've ever seen.

Dad rode around with Tate.  I am sure he was dizzy when the ride was over. 

Riding the fake elephant.  

One of the several elephants at the circus museum.  This elephant will perform for all of us shortly under the big top tent!

Dad, Tate & Grandpa Wolsing waiting for the Big Top Show to start.

Devin & Grandma under the big top.

Grandma grabbed a quick picture of Devin & I.

Thanks to my budding photographer, Devin, Mom and I got this great picture!

No circus is complete without the clowns.

Devin & Tate were super happy because Mom folded and let them buy these "light sabers".  

The Ring Master!

Unicycling family!  They were very impressive.

Dog act.  These dogs all performed various tricks.  

These dogs have all been rescued from shelters!

Aerial acrobats.  

Dancing camels

Tate with some of the performing acts.

Hanging by her neck she glided over the river.

Children's circus.  Tate decided he wanted to join the circus.  He joined the circus as a performing horse.  

Parade of countries at the end of the children's circus.

Tate was quite the performing horse!

There was a whole exhibit on circus wagons.  They were so elaborate.  All hand carved.  There were 

wagons that held the lions, giraffes, retails, and many more.  I can't image what it would have been like when the circus rolled into town back in the day.  They were such huge productions.

Look at these crazy caged animals.

Oh no!  There's a family full of crazy animals.

Grandpa trying out the elephant tricycle.

Devin's turn on the tricycle.

Tate's turn

These are the original building that housed many of the circus animals.  They housed everything from Lions, elephants, camels, giraffes, and more.