2010 Circus Ring of Fame Honors Legendary Performers
Ranked #13,811 in Entertainment, #168,638 overall
Ceremony Applauds Contributions to Circus Arts
The crowd loved every minute of the event. Wild applause came easily. Tourists sensed the excitement and joined the crowd to celebrate six giants of the circus arts.
Rousing circus music set the mood, thanks to the Sarasota Concert Band under the baton of Charles Schlarbaum. The Honorable Richard Clapp, mayor of Sarasota, highlighted recent local circus news, including the unveiling of a historical marker at the former home of circus greats Karl and Helen Wallenda and the announcement about expansion plans for the Circus Museum at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.
Master of Ceremonies Chuck Sidlow created mini-shows for each inductee. First a speaker introduced the honoree. Then Sidlow called the circus star forward and placed a lavalier with the Circus Ring of Fame medal around the person's neck in Olympic fashion. Then the emcee read aloud the individual commendation.
Renowned Chimpanzee Trainers Rudi and Sue Lenz were first up, followed by John Pugh of Cole Bros. Circus, Animal Trainer Manuel "Junior" Ruffin, Trapeze Artist Tony Steele, Highwire Walker Tino Wallenda-Zoppe and the multi-talented Dime Wilson Family. Follow the links to read more about each of these legendary performers.
After the inductions and sponsor recognition, everyone adjourned to the southeast side of St. Armands Circle Park and six new plaques swaddled in a red covering. After Sidlow counted 1-2-3 and blew a whistle, the inductees whisked off the wraps and posed for the cameras.
Photo: Elizabeth Wery
2010 Circus Ring of Fame
Rudi & Sue Lenz
John Pugh
Manuel "Junior" Ruffin
Tony Steele
Tino Wallenda-Zoppe
Sarasota Circus History
Program for Circus Ring of Fame Induction
Click on thumbnail to read each page
Front cover of program for 2010 23rd Annual Circus Ring of Fame Induction Ceremony
Sarasota Circus Concert Band
Charles Schlarbaum, Conductor
Circus music set the tone for the 2010 23rd Annual Circus Ring of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Photo: Elizabeth Wery
About the Circus Ring of Fame
- St Armands Circle Ring of Fame is Sarasota's own unique Hall of Fame!
- A Sarasotan's up close look at the History of the St Armands Circle Ring of Fame.
- From Cage of Steel to Ring of Fame | SRQ DAILY 12/23
- "I tried the home life, but it just wasn't for me. I needed the excitement." - Manuel "Junior" Ruffin, wild animal tamer. When he ran away with the circus at the age of 14, Manuel "Junior" Ruffin was bolting from a broken family life into a den of lions and tigers. More than a half century later, the North Port showman is about to become the first black honoree inducted into the Circus Ring of Fame.
2010 Circus Ring of Fame Honorees
Recognized for Significant Contributions to the Circus
Honorees and Sponsors
2010 Circus Ring of Fame Induction Ceremony
Biill Hall witth Rudi & Sue Lenz stand at the far left of the stage. Brigette & John Pugh of Cole Bros. Circus stand to the right of the Lenzes. Robert Fuller Houston of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Manuel "Junior" Ruffin take center stage. To the right of the podium, Al & Lyn Light with Tony Steele. The Dime Wilson sisters stand at the right side of the stage.
Tino Wallenda-Zoppe and his sponsor, Aurelia Nock, were somewhere in the midst of the crowd on stage as were others including Chuck Sidlow, David Strong and Jenny Wallenda.
Photo: Elizabeth Wery
Circus Ring of Fame in the News
- Do back flips: The circus is coming to Camelback
- "The owner, John Pugh, is a great guy and the circus staff are great people to work with," Staples said. In 2010, John Pugh was inducted into the Circus Ring of fame which noted, "few have done more to preserve the traditions of the traveling, 3-Ring ...
- Win family tickets to Zippos Circus in Sheffield
- Yasmine Smart, grand-daughter of Billy Smart, of Billy Smart's Circus fame, will be making her first appearance in Yorkshire for 40 years. She was the 'ring-mistress' of the TV circus and became a major star in Europe and in America.
- Wallenda family has deep ties to circus
- Sarasota is said to be the home of the circus and the place it never left. Roots run deep in this small community, where the Wallendas live. The circus and daredevil community in Sarasota is very tight knit. In St. Aramand's Circle the Ring of Fame is ...
- 2012 REUBEN AWARDS: MAD's Richmond, Post's Galifianakis react to big wins
- THREE-RING CIRCUS: Brian Crane (top), Stephan Pastis and Tom Richmond were the Reuben Award finalists for 2012. (courtesy of the NATIONAL CARTOONISTS SOCIETY ) . The other Reuben finalists were ?Pearls Before Swine? creator Stephan Pastis and ?Pickles? ...
Slideshow of Inductions Ceremony
2010 Circus Ring of Fame
Crowd at 2010 Circus Ring of Fame Induction Ceremony. Photo: Elizabeth Wery
Blog Posts about the Circus Ring of Fame
- Wallenda family has deep ties to circus
- Sarasota is said to be the home of the circus and the place it never left. Roots run deep in this small community, where the Wallendas live. The circus and daredevil community in Sarasota is very tight knit. In St. Aramand's Circle the Ring of Fame is ...
Members of Circus Ring of Fame
Past Inductees with Plaques in St Armands Circle Park
Filmed on location in Sarasota
The Greatest Show on Earth
Scenes from 2009 Circus Ring of Fame Induction
Held Sunday, January 20, 2009
- Program for Circus Ring of Fame 2009 | YESTERDAY'S TOWNS
- The 2009 program outlines the 22nd Annual Circus Ring of Fame Inductions held Sunday, January 20 in St. Armands Circle Park.
- Photos of Honorees for Circus Ring of Fame 2009 | YESTERDAY'S TOWNS
- The Flying Cavarettas, Bella Nock, Pedro Reis, The Stephenson Family and Dieter & Irene Tasso receive their induction placques.
- Photos of Honorees and their Families, Friends & Fans for Circus Ring of Fame 2009 | YESTERDAY'S TOWNS
- Families, friends and fans celebrate the 2009 induction of circus greats to the Circus Ring of Fame.
- Circus Harmony | Facebook
- Some photos from circus history being made at the CIrcus Ring of Fame inductions on Jan 17, 2010. Congratulations to Manuel "JR" Ruffin, Tony Steele, Tino Wallenda, Sue and Rudy Lenz, John Pugh and the Dime Wilson Family!
Ringlingville USA: The Stupendous Story of Seven Siblings and Their Stunning Circus Success
By Jerry Apps
Ringlingville USA: The Stupendous Story of Seven Siblings and Their Stunning Circus Success
Amazon Price: $17.00 (as of 05/31/2012)
Author Jerry Apps presents a thorough history of the family business while recreating the sights and sounds of the circus at the turn of the century.
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Share a Favorite Circus Memory
When the clown catches the girl shot out of the cannon?
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KimGiancaterino Feb 23, 2011 @ 1:33 pm | delete
- I attended a circus in Europe and didn't understand a thing that was being said by the ringmaster. It was a phenomenal show and a fairly small venue, so we were close to the action. The ringmaster even welcomed our group, which was very special.
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The Circus: 1870-1950
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The Circus: 1870-1950
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Sheds new light on circus history, from a behind-the-scenes look at life on the move, to the freedoms enjoyed by early female performers, to the innovative production skills that demanded as much know-how as a modern-day film production.
The Complete Monty Python's 16 Ton Megaset: Flying Circus (1982)
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The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus 16-Ton Megaset packs together the original 14-DVD megaset with the two-disc Monty Python Live in space-saving Thinpaks.
Silly Circus Jack in the Box
Silly Circus Jack in the Box
Amazon Price: $24.79 (as of 05/31/2012)
This Silly Circus Jack in the Box is the newest in the line, and has an adorable and happy clown "Jack".
* His tin box, brightly painted with a circus theme, is a little over 5 inches tall, and has a plush puppet.
* He plays the traditional "Pop Goes the Weasel" song.
* He is safe for toddlers.
