LE Barnes Circus, 2001
Courtesy of David Powell
Courtesy of David Powell
LE Barnes Circus, 2001
Courtesy of David Powell
Courtesy of David Powell
Jimmy Cole shares a history of the show's beginning and tenure in 2001 at Buckles Blog.
>> "L.E. Barnes #1 (From Jim Cole)," Buckles Blog, 05/31/2011
10 Years ago... Wild animal trainer Dave Hoover, after 20 years on Clyde Beatty – Cole Bros. Circus with his lion & tiger act (1966 – 1985) , then several more in management, had always dreamed of taking out his own circus. In 2001, Dave formed a partnership with entrepreneur Eugene Calabrese and began putting together what is quite possibly the last of the traditional American big top circuses, the L. E. Barnes Circus. Dave used his wife’s maiden name, Lois Evans Barnes, to formulate the title. The show was framed at a location near Eustis, FL, and was kept so secret that the winter quarters got the nickname of “Area 51”.
The circus was about as traditional as you could get, three rings, a brass band, opened with a cage act, lots of animals, and closed with Brian Miser’s cannon.
The show opened on March 10, 2001 in Eustis, FL, and made it’s way up the east coast, following closely the familiar Beatty –Cole pattern. The first few weeks were quite challenging, but then things began to go smoothly, and by summer, the show was in the familiar New England States. However the tragic events of 9-11 had a severe effect on the show, business was off, and dates were cancelled. The show closed about a week later.
LE Barnes Circus, 2001
Courtesy of Jim Cole
Courtesy of Jim Cole
"Here's a photo of the three "girls" on a walk to a clover patch on the lot in Kissimmee. Imagine my surprise, as I looked up from my car, to see three elephants without any harnesses headed right for me (so I thought). They stopped just short of me, to eat the tender blossoms of clover and the greens in the clover patch." //April Zink
LE Barnes Circus, 2001
Courtesy of April Zink
Courtesy of April Zink
Three bulls, Minnie Isa & Whimpy
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your input. We now have two different groups of elephants which were said to have been on the show.
Can anyone confirm whether it was Isa or Bunny that performed with Minnie and Whimpy on LE Barnes in 2001?
Radar,
ReplyDeleteFor what its worth, I have Isa, Minnie and Whimpy recorded with Louis. Have you asked Louis about this?
Bob
Geez, I can't even type tonight. Louie, I apologize for the mispelling in the previous post.
ReplyDeleteRadar, Have you asked Louie?
Bob,
ReplyDeleteAny input you have has great worth! Yes, I had sent Louie a message.
Armando Loyal confirms the elephants are Isa, Minnie and Whimpy, due to the shape of Isa's back. The elephant performing the hind leg stand is Whimpy. Only she and two others currently owned by Carson and Barnes can perform this trick. Minnie formerly performed a hind leg stand on a ball.