Orange County is certainly no stranger to circuses. With Ed Ballard owning
most of the circuses in the United States during the 1920s, the county was
home to this form of entertainment for years. The following advertisement is
from the True American - 1841 and could possibly be the first occurrence of
a circus coming to town. The price seems a bit stiff, seeing that for $2.50
you could send your child to school for an entire session.
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NOVELTY UNPARALLELED
The first living Giraffe or Camelopard ever
exhibited in this country.
CIRCUS AND CARAVAN
Splendid and Combined Attraction of EQUESTRIAN AND
GYMNASTIC PERFORMANCES, with a beautiful collection of
LIVING WILD ANIMALS, comprising the Stupendous Giraffe,
the Elephant, and every variety of Wild Beast, Birds
and Reptiles.
JUNE, TITUS, ANGEVINE & CO., Proprietors of the Bowery Amphitheater, New
York.
R. Sands, Equestrian Manager.
The proprietors of the above named establishment have the honor to announce
to the citizens of Orange County, that their unequalled troupe of
Equestrians and splendid Caravan of Wild Animals, will exhibit at Paoli, on
Thursday, October 7, 1841.
The public are also respectfully informed that the Equestrian Troupe, under
the management of Mr. R. Sands, is composed of the most extensive and
talented artists, comprising several of the most celebrated and skillful
performers, both of this country and Europe. Attached to this company, if
the far famed RIVERS FAMILY, of Astley's Amphitheater, London, whose
incredible performances have caused so much excitement wherever they have
appeared, besides others in every department of the Olympic Exercises.
The managers pledges himself that his exhibition shall be of a strictly
moral character, and free from the many objections frequently made by
entertainments of this descriptions.
N. B.: An extensive and splendid Band of Musicians is engaged, who will
accompany the performances with a choice selection of the most popular airs,
marches, overtures and waltzes.
Performances to commence at half past one o'clock P.M.
Price of admission to both, 50 cents; children half price.
The menagerie of Animals is attended by intelligent and obliging keepers,
who will take great pains in responding to the wishes of the audience.
Will also be exhibited at Orleans, on Friday, October 8th, 1841.
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