Images: #TBT Gallery looks back at circuses in the suburbs

 
Paul Valade
 
 
Posted7/27/2017 1:00 AM

Tahar the Beastmaster, My Imba's Baboons and the Porkchop Review were just a few of the circus acts performing in the Chicago suburbs. Many residents have a memory or two of the circus, whether going as a kid or taking their own family.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Mills Brothers Circus, Hoxie Brothers and the Medinah Shrine Circus were some of the troupes delighting children of all ages. Sadly, to some, on Sunday, May 21, Ringling Bros. said farewell and held its final show. According to ringling.com, 250 million people attended shows in its 50 years of production.

Daily Herald photographers were there to capture some of the performance highlights. We hope you enjoy this look back at circuses in the suburbs.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus clowns and animals parade through Des Plaines on their way to the Rosemont Horizon.
  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus clowns and animals parade through Des Plaines on their way to the Rosemont Horizon.
Daily Herald file, 1981
Colorful circus wagons traveled on flatbed railroad cars from their Circus World home of Baraboo, Wis. to Chicago.
  Colorful circus wagons traveled on flatbed railroad cars from their Circus World home of Baraboo, Wis. to Chicago.
Daily Herald file, 1981
Wayne Regan shows off his love for the animals he performed with.
  Wayne Regan shows off his love for the animals he performed with.
Daily Herald file, 1990
Rene Turcios and his 3-year-old son, David, perform a bear act during the 11th edition of the Ringling Bros. circus at the Rosemont Horizon.
  Rene Turcios and his 3-year-old son, David, perform a bear act during the 11th edition of the Ringling Bros. circus at the Rosemont Horizon.
Daily Herald file, 1981
Young Ringling Bros. circus' Alexandria Naghtin performs in a bear act at the Rosemont Horizon.
  Young Ringling Bros. circus' Alexandria Naghtin performs in a bear act at the Rosemont Horizon.
Daily Herald file, 1981
Elephants perform in the center ring of the Hoxie Brothers three-ring circus.
  Elephants perform in the center ring of the Hoxie Brothers three-ring circus.
Daily Herald file, 1972
Camels were part of the Hoxie Brothers Circus that performed in a vacant parking lot next to Hanover Park's Kmart store. Funds from the shows supported the American Legion Post 1272 "I am an American Day Parade."
  Camels were part of the Hoxie Brothers Circus that performed in a vacant parking lot next to Hanover Park's Kmart store. Funds from the shows supported the American Legion Post 1272 "I am an American Day Parade."
Daily Herald file, 1982
The Hoffman Estates Lions Club sponsored the Mills Brothers Circus in the Golf-Rose shopping center parking lot. The performances help the club support community project for the upcoming year.
  The Hoffman Estates Lions Club sponsored the Mills Brothers Circus in the Golf-Rose shopping center parking lot. The performances help the club support community project for the upcoming year.
Daily Herald file, 1964
Kids check out elephants in the King Brothers Circus at Heritage Park in Wheeling.
  Kids check out elephants in the King Brothers Circus at Heritage Park in Wheeling.
Daily Herald file, 1971
Dorothy and Paul Kelly supervise the unloading of elephants for a show at Holy Family Hospital in Des Plaines.
  Dorothy and Paul Kelly supervise the unloading of elephants for a show at Holy Family Hospital in Des Plaines.
Daily Herald file
Col. Lucky Larabee was the ring master at a Medinah Shrine Circus.
Col. Lucky Larabee was the ring master at a Medinah Shrine Circus.
Courtesy of Medinah Shring Circus
My Imba Baboons performed for the Medinah Shrine Circus.
My Imba Baboons performed for the Medinah Shrine Circus.
Courtesy of Medinah Shrine Circus
Tahar the Beastmaster performed in the 57th Annual Edition of the Medinah Shrine Circus.
Tahar the Beastmaster performed in the 57th Annual Edition of the Medinah Shrine Circus.
Courtesy of Medinah Shrine Circus
The Porkchop Revue entertained the crowds visiting the Medina Shrine Circus in 2001.
The Porkchop Revue entertained the crowds visiting the Medina Shrine Circus in 2001.
Courtesy of Medinah Shrine Circus
A living unicorn was being promoted as a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle for the 115th edition of the Ringling Bros. circus at Rosemont Horizon in 1985.
A living unicorn was being promoted as a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle for the 115th edition of the Ringling Bros. circus at Rosemont Horizon in 1985.
Courtesy of Ringling Bros.
Ringmaster Jim Rigona talks with one of the Ringling Bros. clowns prior to a show in the Chicago Stadium.
  Ringmaster Jim Rigona talks with one of the Ringling Bros. clowns prior to a show in the Chicago Stadium.
Daily Herald file, 1986
Ringling Bros. performers prepare for a show in the Chicago Stadium.
  Ringling Bros. performers prepare for a show in the Chicago Stadium.
Daily Herald file, 1986
Ringling Bros. animals and performers head to the Rosemont Horizon from Des Plaines.
  Ringling Bros. animals and performers head to the Rosemont Horizon from Des Plaines.
Daily Herald file, 1980
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