Under the Big Top

It’s not every day that you can see a zebra and a trapeze artist in the same vicinity. But Zanesville got a special treat when the one-of-a-kind Carson and Barnes Circus set up their big top at Armco park.

You don’t have to be a kid to get a thrill from the circus.

"It’s so exciting to see a vacant field transformed into a magical kingdom called the circus," says Mort Gamble, member of the Circus Fans Association.

A circus-enthusiast, Gamble knows all about what goes on surrounding the big top.

"Circus day is every day for us, we love the circus and all of its forms. This Carson and Barnes is one of the traditional big top circuses still traveling the road today in America and some of the features are as old as the business itself," says Gamble.

One such feature is a kid-favorite, the circus-performing animals.

"Riding the elephant, i liked feeding the animals, it was fun," says Sierra and John Thomas Leonard.  

Isa the elephant is the main attraction here at the circus, that is, until kids get a chance to go under the big top. In the midst of the laughter and entertainment, most viewers don’t think about what goes on behind the curtain. It’s a lot of hard work, and scrambling, but performers say they love their jobs.

"I love every aspect of the circus business. I’ve performed, I’ve built, I’ve ringmastered, you name it and I’ve done it as long as it’s on the ground," says Ringmaster Brad Pirkl.
 

"I love it, I love it, I love having smiles on their faces, it’s really cool," says Franchesca Cavallini, hula hoop artist.

For some performers, while loving what they do, they have their own favorite parts of the show.

"I love the elephants, i think it’s the best thing we have in the show," says Alex Acero, a trapeze-artist clown.

Carson and Barnes packs up tonight to head to the next stop on their tour.