Sarasota, FL = Carnyville

Intrigued?

So about three years ago, we at the Astros were challenged to find the Flying Wallendas and to bring them to Minute Maid Park. I didn't know what a Wallenda was nor why it was that they flew. I won't exactly go into the circumstances as to why we needed them, but suffice to say, I needed to find them.

Turns out, the Flying Wallendas are longtime circus folk specializing in high-wire acts. The goal was to get them to walk from foulpole to foulpole at the ballpark after a baseball game. After some negotiation, Tino, acting patriarch of the Wallenda clan agreed to fly to Houston. It was determined that it wasn't possible for them to rig up on the poles so we had to settle for a 30 foot long wire, about 30 feet in the air...I know, thrilling.

The most interesting part about the event though was talking to Tino and his two kids. The Wallendas' act dates back to the 1780's in Bavaria. Since then they have been traveling the world, performing in some form ever since then including decades in the Ringing Bros. Circus here in America.

The two Wallenda kids, were both in high school and were facing the decision on whether to follow in the family footsteps and continue the great tradition of the seven-man pyramid (see below) or go to college and get a "normal" job. They said it was great to be a part of such a long heritage but were really longing for a regular life.

Here's where it got fun - they said, "I mean even our neighborhood in Sarasota, it's filled with carney-folk." What? A neighborhood of circus people? "Yes" they answered, "our next-door neighbor is a trapeeze artist and our back yard neighbor eats fire."

Holy smokes. Why wouldn't you want to be a part of that?

So, it turns out Sarasota, Florida is the Circus Capital of America. Nice. Back in the early 20s, the Ringling Bros. (there were 5 of them) decided to make Sarasota the "Wintering Grounds" of the Greatest Show on Earth. The circus would tour all year long and then come home to Sarasota to rest and work on the next season's show. The town quickly became a hotbed of juggling, lion taming and yes, high wire acts. These folks are still there. The Wallenda kids literally told me that the lady next door has a trapeeze in her back yard. The lady to the right is not their neighbor, but more to help you get the idea. Who wouldn't want that next door?

I wonder if the Circo Garcia that is in the Fiesta Food Mart parking lot winters in Sarasota - probably not.

Side note - I checked out the Circo site and they have something called The Mighty King of the Jungle, which is described as...

"The Garcia family present their own creation/version of Beauty Meets the Beast. The Beast, meaning a 40 foot robotic gorilla that has capabilities of walking up to the circus ring and befriends a beautiful young girl. Their friendship does not last long, for unfortunately the evil doers do not see this gentle giant in the loving way that she does. To the viewers delight, this king of the jungle fights through an incredible adventure seen right before their eyes and lives
forever through the loving strength of his new found friend. "

No lie...

I learned something new today, and it was awesome!