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[Polley]

I have always thought an old time circus under a big top tent, with sawdust on the ground, three rings, and acts like clowns, trained chimps, trained horses, trained dogs, an acrobat, trapeze artists, and such would go over well. As a side show attraction prior to entering the tent, have a sword swallower, rubber faced man, jugglers, magicians, and so on. Maybe some caged animals like apes, lions, tigers, bears...oh my! Maybe call it the Herschend Brothers Three Ring Circus and Sideshow Attractions!?!? Maybe it could be placed in the Grand Exposition Area, or around Lake Silver...it would be perfect as a limited attraction for say, Kidsfest. Whadda think?

No

[Copper]

So apparently there is a storyline that has been written about the Grand Exposition, I had never heard it, let’s see if you guys have.  Around the turn of the last century there was to be a Worlds Fair, but do to unforeseen circumstances the fair never happened and instead of letting the attractions sit idle the fair began to travel and low and behold it made its way into the Ozarks.  I guess this story is loosely based on a real fair, not one hundred percent of the accuracy.  But there you go that is the story line.  I don’t mind the rides, I just wish they were themed better than what we got.

What I do think we need besides an amazingly highly themed coaster… a few attractions which allow any child or guest to ride with little to no restrictions.  Where this could go and what could it include, I’ll let you guess?

[sanddunerider]

3 ring circus for the kids.. (and adults)..   sounds like an interesting concept.

[dwfan]

The most important thing about Grand Expo. is that it's mean't for kids. Also, I think the Circus idea is a bad thing because it will clash with themeing.

[Swoosh]

I don't care for a circus theme either.  It pretty much flopped when they tried that out for KidsFest

[sanddunerider]

 

[Junior]

A travelling circus was a popular thing for folks to see in the 1880s through the 1940s. Circus acts did not pass regularly through the heart of the Ozarks, but likely visited Joplin, Springfield, and other larger towns on a regular basis. Yes, a circus would be in theme...so long as there were not any motorcycle acts, and at SDC you would not want to see a freak show as a sideshow attraction. M.E. Oliver was a noted illustrator and author from Madison County, Arkansas, who, in one of his books, described a circus that came to a little town he lived in: "Jumbo (the elephant) and Drakes Creek (Arkansas). One of the first circuses and probably the largest elephant ever shown in the Ozarks, came to Drakes Creek in 1893."  If SDC put together their own circus for a Kidsfest, they certainly could keep it in theme. There are several circuses in the US. In fact, I think Hugo, Oklahoma in years past was the winter home to one or two circuses, and a local cemetery is full of the graves of old circus acts. That ain't too far away from the Ozarks. Likely, those circuses would have passed through the Ozarks. How about a WILD WEST SHOW? A Wild West Show is a circus, too...instead of clowns and arcobats, you would have cowboys and Indians...WHOOPS! Indians! NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT!   

[Duelist]

The circus is not a bad idea but I would definitely go for a Wild West Show!  I even talked to some Citizens about having one at Echo Hollow and they said the problem they saw with that was another place to keep and store the animals and getting them in and out of Echo Hollow.  I begged for years for SDC to do a Western-type festival and I believe that's where the Salute to the Great American Cowboy/Cowgirl came about.  So they certainly do listen to input from customers.  Now if they'd just bring it back for next year...

[okiebluegrass]

I like the idea, however I wish Frontier City in Oklahoma would embrace that more, rather than being a six flags wanna be. I think it should be more like a Silver Dollar City just with more of a western theme. I don't know the history. Were there a lot of cowboys in the Ozarks?

[joshblakebran]

I'm feeling pretty sure that we are going to see an Adventure Mountain type of attraction in the Waterboggin' area next Spring....

[Joy]

Didn't they present a wild west show as an idea in a survey once? I seem to recall one of the ideas presented being a Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.

I want THAT.

[Copper]

Don't think you will see an Adventure Mountain any time soon st SDC. 

[Duelist]

I like the idea, however I wish Frontier City in Oklahoma would embrace that more, rather than being a six flags wanna be. I think it should be more like a Silver Dollar City just with more of a western theme. I don't know the history. Were there a lot of cowboys in the Ozarks? 
Posted on: October 15, 2010, 09:34:32 AM

There is a lot of western history associated with the area.  James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok had a "High Noon" type shootout with Dave Tutt on the city square in Springfield in July 1865; Cowboy Artist Charlie Russell was born in Missouri; the James boys and the Youngers were what I would consider "Wild West" and they were all from Missouri, etc.  I guess it's not "cowboy" like Texas or Oklahoma but it's close enough for me!

[okiebluegrass]

I guess I just feel sorry for all them horse having to walk those steep hills.

Seems its a lot easier for them out here where it's flat

[Duelist]

I hear ya!  Probably why the 'Missouri Mule' is more famous than the 'Missouri Horse'.