Garden Bros Circus is a Canadian internationally traveling circus currently based in Florida. It was founded in the 1930s by brothers William and Robertson Garden.[1][2][3] It is the world's largest big top circus.[4]
| Garden Bros Circus | |
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Country | Canada |
| Founder(s) | William Garden and Robertson Garden |
| Year founded | 1930s |
| Information | |
| Traveling show? | Yes |
History edit
Garden Bros Circus was founded in the 1930s by two Scottish immigrants, William Garden and Robertson Garden, who settled in Canada in 1916. William pursued a career in Vaudeville, where he met his wife, Jean. Together, they formed the song, dance, and comedy act known as Garden and Shaw. Following tours in the United States, the couple settled in Toronto where William established the Canadian Vaudeville Exchange, initially a theatrical agency, it later evolved into Garden Amusements Limited, which would eventually become Garden Bros Circus.[5][6]
In 1932, William Garden was contracted to produce a circus at the Coliseum(now known as the Coca-Cola Coliseum), a venue situated on the Canadian National Exhibition grounds. In 1949, William brought his brother Robertson on board as a partner in the circus venture, and together, they relocated to California. During its early years, the circus was North America's sole full-time indoor circus[7][8][9]
In 1956, a couple of years after the death of William Garden, his sons Bill, George, and Ian Garden brothers launched smaller circuses, primarily performing outdoors under various titles such as the Royal Bros. Circus.[10][11][12][13] In 1959, they adopted the name Garden Bros Circus and transitioned to indoor performances, eventually introducing a circus tent in 1960. Between 1956 and 1965, they experimented with various titles and often concluded their seasons early.[14][15][16]
In 1967, Ian and Dick Garden assumed control of the circus. Subsequently, Dick pursued his own shows, while Ian continued the indoor Garden Bros tour throughout eastern Canada.[17]
In 1990, Ian passed the reins of Garden Bros Circus to his sons, Richard and Ian Jr., who carried on the circus tradition until approximately 2010.
The Garden Bros Circus title remained dormant until Niles Garden revived it again in March 2015.[18][19]
In early 2024, the circus started touring across different states as part of its "Humans Gone Wild" tour.[20][21] As of March 2024, the circus was performing in different locations in Florida including at the Tropicana Stadium in St. Petersburg.[22]
Performances edit
The circus has a total of 60 performers.[23] It features traditional Chinese acrobatics, wheel of death, motorcycle stunts within a spherical enclosure, horse races, human cannonball, clown acts, performing dogs, juggling routines.[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] The circus has a kids zone where young attendees can take rides on elephants, camels, or circus ponies. Children can meet the circus performers and get face paintings, ride the monster slide or play on a moon bounce.[32][33]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Watch Circus | Prime Video". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1950-04-29.
- ^ Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1948-03-06.
- ^ "Garden Bros Nuclear Circus, under the World's Largest Big Top Arena, is Coming to St. Petersburg". Yahoo Finance. 2023-11-02. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ Lansford, Nikki (2023-04-05). "Garden Bros Nuclear Circus coming to Oak Park Mall". Shawnee Mission Post. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ East York Police Association Presents Garden Bros. Circus. East York Police Association. 1952.
- ^ F. Reves, Haviland (1950-05-27). Garden Bros. Bows at Windsor; Skeds 10-week Summer Season. The Billboard. p. 60.
- ^ Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1957-06-03.
- ^ Garden Details Plan. Billboard. 1957-04-29.
- ^ Ontario Okay for Royal; Hill Closes. The Billboard. 1956-07-21.
- ^ Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1956-05-19.
- ^ The Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1958-04-21.
- ^ Garden Shows Quit for Year. The Billboard. 1956-09-29.
- ^ Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1947-04-12.
- ^ Durant, John; Durant, Alice K. Rand (1957). Pictorial History of the American Circus. A. S. Barnes.
- ^ Garden Combs Ontario. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1947-03-29.
- ^ Garden Bros 3 Ring Circus, St. John's Memorial Stadium, Sept. 18, 19, 20th Presented to You Under the Sponsorship of Cerebral Palsy Parents Association. 1970.
- ^ DaRosa, Andrew (2023-08-17). "Garden Bros Circus coming to CT this weekend". CT Insider. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ mike@midhudsonnews.com (2023-07-06). "Garden Bros Nuclear Circus comes to Galleria at Crystal Run". Mid Hudson News. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ "GARDEN BROS NUCLEAR CIRCUS HUMANS GONE WILD". Citadel Mall. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/cyfair/article/garden-bros-nuclear-circus-houston-performance-18637072.php
- ^ "What's up with the circus in Tropicana Field's parking lot?". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ Pereira, Camila (2024-01-20). "Garden Bros Nuclear Circus comes to Fort Myers". WINK News. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ "Garden Bros Circus". Dallas News. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ Hunter, Steve (2019-03-29). "Garden Bros. Circus coming to Kent April 25". Kent Reporter. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ "Videos". FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth. 2023-03-10. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ "Garden Bros Circus". Florida State Fair. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ "Eastdale Mall Prepares to Host Garden Bros Circus This Weekend". WAKA 8. 2021-03-31. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ "Garden Bros Circus - GlobalNews Events". Global News. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ Talk, Special to The Town. "Garden Bros. Circus set for Thursday at Coliseum". The Town Talk. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ "Garden Bros. Circus denies safety concerns after show shut down". CBC. Sep 25, 2017.
- ^ "Garden Bros. Circus". DFWChild. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ Park, Ford. "Garden Bros. Circus | Ford Park". www.fordpark.com. Retrieved 2023-10-20.