1. Feeding the Wenatchee Youth Circus in 2012
2. The Wenatchee Youth Circus' Amazing Summer of 2011
3. Wenatchee Youth Circus 2011 Photo Album
5. The Wenatchee Youth Circus Comes to Town
The above links go to fantastic WYC 2011 and 2012 pictorial stories and a colorful picture album
...written by 3rd-year performer McKenzie Madland and presented by Circus4Youth's editor Jim Cole.
The 5th-link is a story by Pete Adams, former president of Circus Fans of America.
(or see it all by just scrolling down this page)
Story Link Details
1. Feeding the Wenatchee Youth Circus in 2012
(see this story directly below, or by clicking on the Circus4Youth link above)
Written by McKenzie Madland, 3rd-year performer for the Wenatchee Youth Circus
Pictures by Mark Madland, Don Eggerud and Barbe Eggerud
Submitted by Editor on 8/23/2012 - Edited by Jim Cole of Circus4Youth
2. The Wenatchee Youth Circus' Amazing Summer of 2011
(see this story directly below, or by clicking on the Circus4Youth link above)
Written by McKenzie Madland, 2nd-year performer for the Wenatchee Youth Circus
Pictures by Mark Madland, Don Eggerud and Barbe Eggerud
Submitted by Editor on 10/30/2011 - Edited by Jim Cole of Circus4Youth
(see this story scrolling further down the page, or by clicking on the Circus4Youth link above)
Written by McKenzie Madland, second year performer for the Wenatchee Youth Circus
Pictures by Mark Madland, Don Eggerud and Barbe Eggerud
Submitted by Editor on 5/22/2011 - Edited by Jim Cole of Circus4Youth
(see this story scrolling further down the page, or by clicking on the Circus4Youth link above)
Pictures by Mark Madland, Don Eggerud and Barbe Eggerud
Submitted by Editor on 11/3/2011 - Edited by Jim Cole of Circus4Youth
5. The Wenatchee Youth Circus Comes to Town
(see this story scrolling down the page near the bottom.
Submitted by Pete Adams
2012 Article
Submitted by McKenzie Madland on 8/23/2012
Last Modified
The Wenatchee Youth Circus, based out of Wenatchee, Washington, is only one of two traveling youth circuses in the United States. Keeping the show running smoothly requires a team effort from both the kids and adult volunteers...all of whom must be well fed...3x a day! Read now how this is accomplished by one of the teenage performers and our Circus4Youth reporter...Miss McKenzie Madland, age 15.
McKenzie styling after her performance on the flying trapeze.
According to the old adage, “an army travels on its stomach”. Well, a circus travels on its stomach too and this is especially true for the Wenatchee Youth Circus. Our chuck-wagon, "CookShack", is by far our most important piece of circus equipment. It not only feeds the circus but the other side of it is painted to be the center backdrop for all of our performances.
"Circus Social Central!"
The Cook-Shack also serves as a backdrop.
The backside of the cook-shack.
Also called the "cook house"...as seen on Ringling Bros. Barnum &
Bailey Circus in the 1930's
The "CookShack" also is by far the most favorite circus place to be because it means we can all eat and spend quality family time together. CookShack is our "circus social central" and the source of 3 squares a day, which is at the heart of the reason our troupe can keep traveling on down the road.
The Cook-Shack semi trailer rolls into Renton following a slow
140 mile trip down the mountains from Wenatchee.
Ceasar Salad...always a favorite!
A breakfast selection of pastrys...almost as good as donuts!
A healthy selection of fresh fruits...and plenty of cold milk for
growing active circus kids!
A Commercial Driver's License is necessary to haul CookShack each summer to the 12 to 13 show locations/lots across the state of Washington. The last two years CookShack has been driven by Fred Adams, whose 13 year old daughter, Ali, is one of our two wonderful Ring Mistresses when she’s not clowning around. Last year we were forced to get a new/used semi-truck to haul CookShack, which replaced our old truck after its engine broke bad on the way back from our 4 shows in Renton WA.
Setting up the trapeze rigging in Renton, WA.
Everyone has a job for set up and take down.
Taking a well deserved lunch break!
As we say in the circus "Children of All Ages"! Left: Mr. Paul Pugh
(Guppo) the founder and director of the Wenatchee Youth Circus,
and right: Ryder seems to be enjoyng his Lasagna!
It’s difficult to believe CookShack can feed three meals a day to over 40 kids and 20-30 adults; sometimes for as many as 5 days in a row. Imagine for a second YOU ARE THE COOK responsible for feeding 70 hungry people 3-times each day and you will appreciate the size of this enormous circus task. Gratefully, WYC has three traveling parent-cooks who have teamed up and taken-on this monster mission this season.
The always smiling Ava helps out in the cook-shack.
Left: Mitchel and Chris are ready for some Lasagna!
Right: Cole being a gentleman...who's the other plate for??? hmmmm
The menu board posted on the Cook Shack.
My mom Kerry was the main cook last year. The cooks this year are Pam Tipton, Cindy Davis and Korey Rosvold. Pam's 13 year old Courtney performs on Double Trapeze, Single Trapeze and Swinging Ladders, while 16 year old Cole is the new Catcher on the Flying Trapeze, when he’s not Tumbling or flying off the Trampoline and Teeter Board. Cindy's 13 year old Jillian is one of our two great Ring Mistresses and 11 year old Libby now performs on Single Trapeze, Roman Ladders and is dearly missed in clown alley. Korey's 9 year old Ava performs on the Roman Ladders, tumbling and is an accomplished clown when not helping out in CookShack.
Not your normal trip to the super market!
Pamela Tipton and Cindy Davis double check
the shopping list for the Wenatchee Youth Circus.
...and this is just PART of what they bought!
At the checkout counter.
...and the total is...$713.10!
Unloading the grocerys into the Cook Shack trailer.
The massive task of gathering the food starts with shopping at discount grocery stores such as Wenatchee’s Costco, Cash & Carry and Safeway, spending most of the profits from the shows' gate-receipts. Pam and company build a shopping list around an extensive menu, based on the number of people expected to travel to the next 5 to 6 show-stops multiplied by three meals a day. Then, Pam does it all again six weeks down the road. The main meals consist of lasagna, chicken, beef, fish, veggies and salad, which is supplemented with donated pastries from Safeway. Thirty-gram protein bars and protein shakes are also available for those who feel they need higher than normal levels of protein because of their high-level of physical effort towards setup/tear-down, practice and performances.
Mr. Corey Rosvold is a 3rd cook, and he is preparing an egg caserole.
The Cook-Shack truck ready to be loaded and move on to the
next town of Renton, WA.
CookShack houses two giant freezers and a large box refrigerator, storing the food for more than half the circus trips over the course of a month and a half. It also has two commercial stoves, a dishwashing sink, large counter top and storage cabinets/shelves for all the cooking utensils and dry goods. Once prepared, the food is set outside on a long serving table under the tent-awning attached to CookShack, covering an eating/meeting area filled with tables, chairs and hungry people.
Natalie rings the triangle...guys, put your shirts back on...lunch is ready!
Washing your hands before you eat, a rule in the Cook-Shack!
Left: Who could resist this tasty garlic bread...as offered by Miss Shylin!
Right: The Lasagna was great! Circus4Youth had some...twice!
Show manager Brandon Brown and his 7 month old baby
daughter Alexis, help out serving dinner.
A Ringing of the “bell” around the circus lot is a most prized and sought-after job and announces to the performers and parents THE FOOD IS SERVED. Everyone dashes to the hand-washing line trying to get washed up for the meal and be first in line for food and desert! Also, the strict rules are "NO SHOES NO SHIRTS NO SERVICE!" and "Kids get served first!" There is always enough food for seconds and thirds for anyone who feels they need more. The favorite meal of the year is the "real turkey" Thanksgiving type dinner. This usually only happens once a season and is always the very special meal presented before the last show. Also, guests are most welcome to dine with us under our cozy CookShack awning.
McKenzie does the "Hox Off" to Cole in Flying Trapeze.
Special visiting guests Levi and Lola enjoy some chocolate pudding
courtesy of the Wenatchee Youth Circus.
We LOVE our pets on the Wenatchee Youth Circus...but sorry Lilly,
you can't eat in the cook-shack!
If you are ever in Washington State during summer days and nights, don’t hesitate to plan your trip to come see the Wenatchee Youth Circus. Our schedule is always posted on our website, WenatcheeYouthCircus.com and our Facebook page. Or better yet, “come join our circus” and you too will experience the-summer-of-your-life, traveling with a 60 year-old youth circus and dining three times a day at the great CookShack.
May all your days be circus days! Good day and God Bless!
Circusly yours,
McKenzie September Madland
Wenatchee Youth Circus
To see additional photos of the 2012 Wenatchee Youth Circus, check out Circus4Youth Facebook page:
or...Wenatchee Youth Circus:
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wenatchee-Youth-Circus/220770844602889?fref=ts
Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/WenatcheeYouthCircus/?ref=ts&fref=ts
Email This Resource
2011 Article
2. The Wenatchee Youth Circus' Amazing Summer of 2011
There is one word I can use to sum up this summer and that is fantastic! I guess I could also say fabulous, terrific, sad, stressful and most of all heartfelt. I can sum all those descriptive words wrapped into three main events; Newcomers, Mastering New Tricks and Graduating Seniors.
2011 Route Card, all dates in Washington State.
The Wenatchee Youth Circus, July 16 & 17 in Pateros, WA.
The "backyard" with the RV trailers and camping tents in Plain, WA.
Newcomers: I fondly remember my first year of being a newcomer. I was both excited and nervous. You never know if you will like the people you are working with, or if they will like you. And that's not only the performers - I am talking about everyone; parents, siblings and even the four legged members of the family.
Newcomers...Ali and Gillian.
...And two more who are enjoying their first year with the WYC...
Left: Ava Right: Darwin
Clowns...Marisity & Toby
Her first year in circus, Natalie became quite the wire-wlker!
"Mr. Mellon Collie" (Mark Madland, McKenzie's dad)
and Siska, a 6 year old Golden Retreiver who belongs to Jessi.
Dosen't he look cool in that hat!
Some of the pet dogs that traveled with the Wenatchee Youth Circus.
So, as always, we did the best we could to make everyone feel welcome and loved. We never left anyone out because, as you know, we are a tight-knit family and we have to live with each other day-in and day-out every summer when we travel.
Paul Pugh (Guppo) has a Sunday morning "ringcurb" church service.
The great state of Washington, a map that became very familiar!
A typical scenic drive to one of our tour dates.
I have to say the best thing about having newcomers join is being able to help teach them and guide them through new acts and tricks. It is even better when you see them perform for the first time in front of hundreds of people and end the day thinking this is the best thing they have ever done. After a day like that it is hard to get them to stop practicing and come in to eat dinner. They will practice on the equipment for hours if it means they can perform in another show and maybe move on to something bigger. This leads me to the next highlight of the season…
The "Cook Shack" where meals were served...and a few cast meetings.
Mastering new tricks: It was great to see so many new kids looking at us performers and saying "I want to do what they do". And, as usual, this went on through the entire season. The small tricks were learned first, and then on to trying bigger tricks that some of the experienced performers, who have been here their whole life, haven't even tried to do yet. Three of our new performers worked all season, from spring practice to summer travel, on mastering high wire and even had the chance to perform at the end of the year. It is fun to see the smiles that come to these “First of May*” faces (as Guppo calls them) when they have mastered a new trick; even if it is only as simple as jumping correctly on the trampoline. Another great thing to watch was all the younger kids – as well some of the parents - learn to help put up tents and all the other giant rigs.
Left: Founder & Director of the WYC, Paul Pugh (aka "Guppo")
Right: Newcomer, Maristy climbs up to the high wire pedestal.
Darwin & Maristy practice trampoline.
The author of this article, McKenzie Madland practices flying trapeze.
This year during our own Wenatchee Show we had the privilege of performing two shows, each in front of over 600 fans to cheer us on. What a great experience for both new and old performers. You should have seen the smiles on our faces after those shows!! We even celebrated our graduating seniors during one of those great shows.
A cool spring day did not keep the crowds away in Plain, WA!
...And working to the audience in Marysville, WA in June!
Graduating seniors: Here comes the sad part; knowing that our seniors were leaving, or should I say "moving on"? It was extremely saddening for me to see our seniors, Emily Pratt and Austin Habich going off to college.
Austin joined the circus two years ago and had worked his way into becoming a major part of the family and our performance. He was so strong and determined - he could do any trick he wanted. I will always remember his “running man” impression on the trampoline. We will all miss his sense of humor and his great smile.
Austin "jogging"on the trampoline.
I will never forget Emily. At my very first practice she let me use her Capezios for my first time walking the low wire. I remember her and Billy Tuthill sitting up on high wire with me for hours and hours, patiently encouraging me to take the first step out on that small strand of wire.
Emily Pratt, who has been in WYC since 2002, and Guppo.
On the very last show of 2011 with our high wire as a finale, we had our whole high wire crew sitting up there and crying our eyes out because we all knew it was would be Emily's last show as a performer. We might have sat up there for what seemed like forever, just hugging, crying and saying our goodbyes.
A very emotional show, Emily Pratt's (front) final performance with WYC
Sept 4, 2011 in Vernon, WA.
Saying goodbye? Excuse me, never mind, there are no goodbyes in circus, there is only "see you later!"
Circus friends...they're the BEST!
Even now we have our rigging back up and will continue getting ready for next summer. The new performers are now old performers with one summer of sawdust in their shoes. Guppo is busy filling up our next year with performances and we can’t wait for the day when we will, once again, load our wagons back on the trailer and get ready to perform under the big blue skies of summer.
To be continued with an amazing photo album of the 2011
Wenatchee Youth Circus!
______________________________________________________________
Submitted by Editor on 11/3/2011
Last Modified
.
THE GRAND ENTRY
...Which includes the playing of our National Anthem.
SWINGING LADDERS
McKenzie, Taylor, Naomi and Courtney.
Taylor Naomi
JUGGLING
Left: Mitchell combines two circus skills! Right: Chris styles to the crowd.
DOUBLE TRAPEZE
Left: Jack and Kim. Right: Billy and Jessi.
Left: Zack & Kim. Right: Billy & Jessi.
The daring duo on the high double trapeze!
TRAMPOLINE
Kim doing a backflip...plenty of spotters in place.
Zack Cole
Brothers Wyatt & Austin perform their routine.
Austin soars high off the tramploine!
TIGHT WIRE
Left: McKenzie does Hula Hoop while balancing on the wire.
Right: Pretty in Pink, a very young Miss Shylin walks the wire.
The cable is loosend, and Bily walks the "slack wire".
CLOWNS
A congress of colorful clowns!
Libby
KaytElise
Daniel "high fives" the audience on his unicycle.
Left: Our youngest clown, 3 year old Saebrianne.
Right: Nathan waiting for his cue.
Myron the Magnificent Darwynn
Left: Robert as a Court Jester Right: Princess Allison
Left: Blue Haired Ava Right: Marrisity
SPANISH WEB
Jessi does a final spin on the Spanish Web
TEETERBOARD
The Wenatchee Youth Circus Titans of the Teeterboard!
Billy's version of a teen "getting high"!
The teeteboard act...always a favorite with the audience!
Alex flys off the teeterboard.
ROMAN LADDERS
The Roman Ladder act has several group variations. Photo on the right includes
(top to bottom) Ava, Billy, KaytElise...Jessi, Josue, Courtney...
then Allie Austin & Vanessa.
The 9 person Roman Ladders act...have your cameras ready!
SINGLE TRAPEZE
Courtney Jessi
Two different costumes were used for this act during the season.
"Look Ma...No Hands!"
The "Trapeze Twins" Courtney & Jessi.
HIGH WIRE
Billy doing a chair stand.
McKenzie walking the wheel across the high wire.
McKenzie's "Arabesque".
The "wheel barrel", by Emily, Billy and Natalie.
3 person pyramid.
High Wire style and smile!
TUMBLING
Kim flying over the circus!
Austin, Alex, & Billy. Three back somersaults at one time.
Austin flying like Superman!
The "helico[pter"... by Austin Marisity & Natalie
WHIPS
Emily and Mitchell..."Don't move your hand!"
FIRE
Emily and Elbow the Clown.
This trick requires very special training.. DO NOT ATTEMPT IT!
FLYING TRAPEZE
The "Flying Fledglings" in an informal pose.
L-R McKenzie, Taylor, Kim, Billy and Naomi.
"You didn't tell us this was going on Circus4Youth!"
Billy's "layout" to catcher Brandon.
Taylor with the "bird's nest" across to Brandon.
Mckenzie's 1st show, a "hocks off" (knee hang) to the catcher.
Passing Leap, Billy, Kim & Brandon.
Back to the trapeze bar...then dismounts to the net!
A final style and smile!
SOME MISC. PHOTOS FROM THE 2011 SEASON
Allie and Taylor brave the cold water in this make-shift shower.
Watching the 1985 movie "The Goonies" on a cool evening after the show
in the cookshack in Chewelah, WA.
Left: Marisity & her dad Darren.
Right: Jessi & her mom Sharon.
The "new" (used) truck, a 1988 Peterbilt...in great shape!
Setting up the high wire rigging.
Left: Allie & Jessi, Right: Taylor ready for Double Trap.
Left: Ashley rides her unicycle in pre-show.
Right, Katy changes out the music in the "air calliope"
The "Swinging Ladder" Girls, Courtney, Taylor, Naomi & Vanessa.
Left: Ali stretching before the show. Right: Taylor & Jessi.
An "un-official" flying trapeze practice on the last day gave Robert,
and other kids a chance to try it out.
Natalie gives it a try!
McKenzies hand after a few days of flying trapeze.
The entire cast of the 2011 Wenatchee Youth Circus.
May All Your Days Be Circus Days!...See You in 2012.
And... check out their Facebook page!
2011 Article
________________________________________________________________________________________________
This presentation was authored by Jim Cole, Editor of Circus4Youth.org
Also featured within is an article by Wenatchee Youth Circus's very own, McKenzie September Madland, who is C4Y's newest youth reporter.
McKenzie gives her views on getting ready for circus 2011.
Submitted by Editor on 5/22/2011
Last Modified
The distance between Peru, Indiana and Wenatchee, Washington is 2,049 miles (according to Google Maps). Those two cities are for the most part, just ordinary American cities... except for the CIRCUS! Both Peru and Wenatchee are the homes of two of America's oldest running youth circuses. This year Peru enters it's 52nd year of operation, and for Wenatchee it's season # 59! There is so much in common between these two youth circuses..and yet there are notable differences. Peru has an air conditioned arena and performs 11 shows during the 3rd week of July, while Wenatchee goes on tour from Late May thru early September and performs under the open sky. Circus4Youth now presents a series of photos that show the multi talented kids from both youth circuses tuning up their skills in preparation for season 2011. There is also an article written by our newest youth reporter McKenzie Madland (13) who gives her views on getting ready for circus.
There are 2,049 miles that seperate Peru, Indiana from Wenatchee, Washington.
However the enjoyment of participating in youth circus brings them so much closer!
Billy & McKenzie do the "me and my shadow" walk.
Blake walking the high wire.
Natalie pracices trampoline, while McKenzie climbs up to
the Flying Trapeze rigging.
The "back-up swing" in Flying Trapeze.
The "Under & Over Passing Leap" by Billy and Kim.
A half turn back to the fly bar.
Practicing "Roman Ladder" in both Wenatchee and Peru!
Alex's Trampoline practice. Note the differences in the trampolines.
Two of the special WYC transport wagons can be seen in the background.
This type of "pedestal trampoline" is new to the Peru Circus this year.
Two youth circus girls finding their balance!
My name is McKenzie September Madland and I am a 13 year old circus performer in the Wenatchee Youth Circus.
I joined the circus last year. I joined because one of my friends told me it was really fun and she has been in the Wenatchee Youth Circus her whole life. Her name is Taylor and her mom and dad were in the circus when they were my age and eventually went on to perform pro. Taylor likes to say she was born into the circus!
Taylor and Mckenzie.
My driving focus for the first year was to be one of those amazing and graceful high wire walkers. The first time I laid eyes on the high wire I knew that was what I wanted to do. I didn’t take me long to get used to the low wire; it took a little longer for me to ignore the knot in my stomach and step out into space on the high wire. The first time I got up the courage and finally walked the high wire by myself was not even 10 minutes before we had to take down the wire and leave for my first circus performance.
By the end of my first summer I was in a lot of the main acts. I performed in Roman Ladders, Swinging Ladders, Low Wire, and High Wire . As we traveled throughout the Summer it didn’t take long to get to know the people in the circus and become friends. We are like family in this little youth circus.
We started this year out by working really hard to raise money for all the repairs that it takes to keep our Circus running from year to year. We need a new truck to help tow our “Cook Shack” and are hoping to replace our Flying Trapeze net before the end of the year. So far, we have raised enough money to put a down payment on a truck. This money came from selling ad space in our 59th year program and two community grants that support youth programs in our valley.
We have a lot of new performers this season and they are excited to learn how the circus works. “Guppo” (Mr. Pugh, our director) will be happy because he finally has lots of new clowns for his acts! The older performers have spent a lot of time working with the new younger kids helping them learn their routines and get comfortable on the equipment. I have been working hard with some of the older performers learning how to fly. Brandon, our trainer, has spent a lot of time teaching me the timing and the landing coming off the Trapeze.
The great thing about looking at the Peru circus pictures is that you get the feeling they are a bunch of kids just like us that love the Circus. They practice indoors and we practice outdoors, they have some different equipment than we do but still... it is all about being the best performer you can be when it is time to do our shows this Summer.
It is nice to know it is not just us that has a youth circus that allows the local youth to learn and try amazing new things. The Peru performers look like they are working real hard to perfect their acts and have fun at the same time. I am looking forward to talking with some of them on Facebook and getting to know more about the group and their acts. I wish them good luck with their circus season!
Our time for practice is coming to an end and the circus has a big general meeting and potluck this Saturday (May 21, 2011). After we eat we will spend the rest of the day tearing down our rigging, loading it on the flat bed and getting ready to travel to our first performance of the 59th season in Plain, Washington on Memorial Weekend.
Balancing Bicycle & Roman Ring practice in Peru.
Peru's "Jugglenauts" brushing up on their skills.
Titans of the Teeterbaord!
Aerial acts start practice at a low level.
The poster for this year's circus.
All locations in Washington State
McKenzie & Brooklyne (from Peru) are now friends on Facebook.
Join our Circus4Youth Facebook page and make new friends in
our unique world of youth circus!
May All Your Days Be Circus Days...
(and if you live in Wenatchee or Peru,
they probably are!)
2007 Article
5. The Wenatchee Youth Circus Comes to Town
Submitted by Pete Adams
The Wenatchee Youth Circus celebrates its 60th Anniversary this season with performances all over Washington State. Under the guidance of founder Paul Pugh who is their managing director and with the assistance of Brandon Brown, Josh Dailey, and Meghan McLean, Assistant Managers, this show comes on the lot as two 18 wheel semi trucks. Yes, this youth circus is unique as it sets up for each and every performance on a different field most every week and performs from 3 to 5 shows at each site. Paul Pugh who started the program and later was a school principal, maintains his makeup and clown routine known as “Guppo”. The show continued to grow from those early days to now putting on a full fledged performance with a flying act, wire act and yes three rings of entertainment.
The five colorful wagons that are loaded on the semi trailer are a reminder
of the old days in circus history when wagons were loaded on
railroad flat cars as seen in the lower photo
The unloading ramps are set in place.
The wagon is lowered down with an electric winch.
The crew pushes the wagon to it's position on the circus lot.
When the two semis come onto the lot, you realize that everything has to be taken off the semis and put up which takes from 5 to 6 hours. While visiting the show, I took time to watch the entire set up one evening before the first performance the next day. Five specialty designed wagons are hauled on one flatbed trailer. When taken off, one of these becomes the band stand with a calliope and drums. Two others contain the two dressing/sleeping tents for the students and their chaperones as well as for costumes. The last two wagons contain equipment for the specific acts. Individual performers and parents are assigned their roles in putting up the dressing tents, canvass backdrops, setting up the cook and dining tent area, and keeping the performance area clear. Racks on the sides of the semi and underneath hold the entire major center poles to features the aerial acts, the tight wire and also the flying rigging. The second truck is a full kitchen in the center with stove, refrigerator, oven, and freezer with plenty of space for their circus cook. In addition to the center cookhouse, a generator is contained in the front quarter of the semi and storage is in the back.
The traditionally painted circus truck parked in position.
Safety pads and other equiptment are loaded in this wagon.
This wagon also has side doors to make things easier.
The circus ring sections, called "ring curbs" are unloaded.
The aluminum poles for aerial rigging are being unloaded from the
lower portion of the semi trailer called the "possum belly".
At the back door area, a crew sets up the wardrobe tent,
also called the "pad room".
To assist the director and assistant directors is a great group of active supporting parent volunteers and several older students who have learned how to put up the circus as well as performing and then afterwards how to take it down and re pack it into the specialty wagons. There are 30 plus member of the cast this year which means that each and every performer also has tasks to perform including set up and tear down as well as performing during the show. Children of all ages are invited to join, but youth under the age of 12 must have a parent/guardian in attendance. The normal schedule is to arrive the day before the show, set up the show in the early evening, perform for the next two days and then tear down after the final show returning back to Wenatchee that night.
The whole crew helps in the raising of the aerial rigging frame.
Supporty guy lines are tightened with a "rachett come along".
Additional aerial rigging goes up by block & tackle.
While not in any Phys-Ed handbook, beating iron stakes into
the ground is great exercise!
When you have to set up the entire show, the whole premise of safety is most important and the adults at Wenatchee take special care including the winching of the wagons as they are lowered from the semi to the ground. They can then be pushed to where they need to be on the lot. The second semi is the back drop for the show with the dining tent toward the back of the show. In addition two small tents are set up for the novelties and food items sold near the ticketing area in the come in. Seating is defined by the place of performance and in this case of the visit to Wenatchee were supplied by the recreation department by bringing 10 sets of bleachers to one side of the arena.
With the main aerial frame in place, 4 additional poles are raised along side.
Adjustments are made to the flying trapeze rigging.
"Now hold that stake steady", more iron stakes must be driven.
....and girls can drive stakes too!.
Paul Pugh, the director and founder of the Wenatchee Youth Circus
"bites off" a pully block from the aerial rigging.
Once the unloading begins, all rigging is taken to the designated area from which it will be set. At the same time the center ring is brought out of the back of the center wagon which also contained the calliope. Once the many poles were in place different teams of students did various activities. Some worked on putting up the two costume/sleeping tents while others started the process of putting in the stakes necessary to guide the equipment. Remember we have the sky as our top, so all rigging had to come from the ground. The youth has garnered how to double hit on the stakes and really brought back memories of the setting up of the big top. The lifting of pipes, etc was determined by the age and strength of each individual and no student had to exert himself/herself more than he/she could actually handle. Once stakes were in the ground and the high wire platform was attached to the top of the poles, the wire went up. Measuring the angles and space was all very carefully calculated by the directors. Once up, it was secured.
Taking a test flight on the swinging ladder.
Of utmost importance....the CIRCUS4YOUTH banner must be hung!
A well deserved break, these kids work hard!
At a similar time the set up of the four center poles was begun again mapped out for accuracy. Safety was the most important aspect of all work. This gave the show three rings to perform various aerial acts. In the back of ring one the flying act rigging was also set up in a similar manner. As much of this is being done by the older students and adults, the younger members were assembling props needed for each ring of the performance areas. In addition two trampolines were put together from scratch which saves storage space and a low wire was built at one end of the arena. Truly the set up was amazing with the kids sweating and working so hard so that the next day they can perform. Very few youth shows put up their own rigging every time they perform. Rigging was checked at the end by warming up on some apparatus. In all cases mats of various descriptions are used again for safety where nets will not work. The flyers and the wire walkers of course had nets.
...and from show director Paul Pugh, a listing of the circus wagons and their contents:
Wagons 31 & 32 carries tents and wardrobe
Wagon 33 carries the air calliope, the sound system and tumbling mats.
Wagon 34 carries misc equiptment and the flying trapeze rigging (exept the long ploes)
Wagon 35 carries the high wire rigging and net.