Big top greats remembered in Miami Co.

MIAMI CO., Ind. (WLFI) - In Miami County, Indiana there is a monument to the extravaganza that was the traveling circus.

For this week's edition of Indiana Interests NewsChannel 18 traveled to Peru, Indian-over point for some of the greatest circuses in the world, now it stands as a testament to those greats.a, to the International Circus Hall of Fame. The grounds were once the winter stop

"From 1872, up until our Depression the circus was the biggest form of entertainment," said Tom Dunwoody, Executive Director of the Circus Hall of Fame.

He said he remembers the days when the circus was bigger than Christmas, and everything stopped the day the big top rolled into town.

"Circus day was a holiday. When the circus came to town all the schools closed, all the businesses closed, and everybody went to the circus," said Dunwoody.

The International Circus Hall of Fame honors those greats of the big top by remembering them and preserving circus lore for generations to come. Located on the former winter quarters of several famous circuses the Hall of Fame offers visitors a look at the costumes, culture, and living quarters of circus performers. Dunwoody said only the most dedicated circus people though can find a permanent home at the hall of fame.

"You have to first of all have to have been in the circus, but you also have to have made a contribution. For an example Mr. P.T. Barnum is here, and Mr. Bailey because they had one of the largest circuses ever," said Dunwoody.

He's describing the famous Barnum and Bailey's circus. But the hall of fame doesn't just hold artifacts and plaques of long-gone circus greats. For two summer weeks every year the grounds of the International Circus Hall of Fame are transformed into a living, breathing three-ring circus.

"The last two weeks in July is our performing season. We have our own big top which we set up and a circus performance every day. The circus is live entertainment. There's no rewind. There's no redo. Whatever you see is what you get, so it's still very vibrant," said Dunwoody.

If you have a fun or interesting place around Tippecanoe County that you would like us to visit send an email entitled 'Indiana Interests' to newsroom@wlfi.com.