Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Lou Ann Miniature Circus


''LOU ANN CIRCUS GREATEST MINIATURE CIRCUS ON EARTH''
The ''Lou Ann Circus” owned and built by Lou and Ann Kretschmer was twenty (20) years in the making. It is designed to exactly one inch (1'') to one foot (1') scale of the famous ''Hagenbeck Wallace Circus'' of 1933. This show was known as the ''High Class Circus'' during the ''Golden Years'' of the Circus (1920's end 1930's).

The Big Top is completely handmade, nine (9) sections laced together exactly like the original tent. It measures thirty-five feet (35') long and is fifteen feet (15') wide. Tiny light bulbs and flood lights from its own Generator Wagons illuminate the Big Top. It seats ten thousand (10,000) people, contains three rings and two stages. Some of the famous acts depicted are the Wallendas, Clyde Beatty and the Flying Wards.

There is a Side Show Tent complete with Bally stands and performers. Also a Dressing Tent or Pad room as it is called on the Circus, (1 large Dining Tent for the performers and workers and two (2) Horse Tents.

There are one hundred (100) wagons complete in every detail, featuring the Two Hemisphere, one of the largest cockpit wagons ever built, painted red with beautiful carvings covered with gold leaf; Chime Wagon, better known as the Bell Wagon; the Five Graces, one of the most beautiful ever designed and built is also red and its magnificent carvings are covered with gold leaf; Mack Trucks; Baggage and Cage Wagons. There are also fifteen (15) railroad tars including Stock cars, Sleepers
and Flat cars. Animals, performers, spectators, Dining Department, Light Plant, Blacksmith, Machine Shop and Midway complete with Concession Stands and gaudy Ticket Wagons, Side Show Banner Shop and Bally platform make up the complete equipment of this ''Hagenbeck Wallace Model Circus”.

Endless hours if research, pouring thru Circus History Books, Circus Route Sheets, Photographs and talking with performers end workers formerly with the Hagenbeck Wallace Model Circus” have gone into the tremendous job of making every item as an authentic work of Art. No labor nor expense has been spared.

Lou and Ann Kretschmer are devoted Circus Fans and started this Circus as a hobby to recapture the By-gone-days of a Great Era, never to be seen in life size again. If it recalls the Glorious By-gone-days of the past for the oldsters and brings Wide-eyed astonishment for the youngsters and if it makes you happy to view it, it makes us twice as happy to exhibit it.

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