CFA News

Chester Grant Cable, Guiness World Record holder, Known as The Man with the Educated Feet, passed away on February 5th 2025. Chester was born on June 13th 1931 in Holsopple, Pennsylvania to John J. Cable and Ida Rachel Thomas Cable. Chester’s mom Ida died when Chester was still young and his father John remarried Shortly thereafter. When Chester was around the age of 15, Chester ran away and joined the Circus. In 1949 Chester found work with the Cole Brothers Circus working as an Usher. Chester watched and learned from the performers. He found a neighbor back in Pennsylvania who could foot juggle and he learned what he could from him. By 1950 Chester became part of a Risley act (where you foot juggle another human being) known as The Three Bojons. On June 11th 1953, two days shy of his 22nd birthday, Chester joined the United States Army. While in the Army, Private First Class Cable served in the Special Services Corps, alongside Leonard Nimoy, Ken Barry and Johnny Lux, at Fort Ord, California; Fort Benning, Georgia; and Fort McPherson, Georgia. Before receiving an honorable discharge on March 12, 1955. During this time he toured Army posts to entertain the troops, as well as doing shows at colleges to help with Army recruiting. After leaving the Army Chester continued working and practicing on his own eventually switching out people for props starting his solo career as a foot juggler. Chester was always working hard and learning whatever he could from whoever he could. While working with Juggler’s Carlos Ricci and Slim Gerard Chester added hand juggling to his Creative talents which led him to his second act which included four torches and a battle axe performed on a rolling globe. Chester was most famous for foot juggling large and heavy objects, including a 10-foot-long, 130-pound metal table and a large, 48-pound wagon wheel. he was also asked to foot juggle a few odd objects for promotion or publicity stunts such as a refrigerator, a lamp, a couch, and a Sumo wrestler! But he was best known for his work with the huge table, for which he has been listed in the Guinness World Records book since 1981. He holds the record for most consecutive foot juggling flips of a table. But, oh, that is not all Chester did; Chester could pick out the best spot for the big top, drive the tent stakes by hand and later with a contraption he invented, raise the tent, set up the seats, rig the aerial acts, connect the sound system, troubleshoot the food vending equipment, make the cotton candy, coach just about any act in the circus and so much more. Chester traveled the world entertaining and bringing joy to The ladies, gentlemen and children of All ages. Chester was almost 94 and had been in the circus for over 76 years. He has said “I’ve been around so long, I know how to do just about everything”. He worked on Circus of the Stars for many years and he was the featured act with the Harlem Globe Trotters for eight years. Chester was one of and also trained some of the best tent masters in the world. With his partner, Wini McKay, he founded LA Circus which ran a show, a school, and provided movie props, sets, and acts for an innumerable number of television and movie productions. Chester Cable was a working foot juggler for over 60 years and is revered as one of the greatest ever. His passing at the age of 93 on Feb. 5th, 2025 marks the end of an era, but his impact on the American Circus will never be forgotten. Chester had intended to keep working until at least 99…. So his passing is a surprise since he usually accomplished whatever he said he was going to do. The world has lost a true circus legend and the American Circus has lost a piece of its history. Chester is survived by his partner in life and business Wini McKay, His brother Ralph Cable; His children Dave Goughenour and wife Su, Barbara Cable, Chester Cable Jr. and wife Debra, Ralph Cable and wife Lynne, Alvin Cable and wife Karen; grandchildren Noah Goughenour, Grant Cable and John Cable; great grandchildren Kyle Baker and Tyler Baker; Niece Robin Green; Great nephew and niece Ryan Green and Regan Green; His chosen family Kiyomi Hara, Gary and Kari Johnson; LA Circus family Tom Conley and family, Kevin Gardner, Kevin Gardner Jr., Randy Aguilar, Cheryle Weber, Eric Godoy his God Children Tommy Davis and Debby Helm; many more cousins, nieces and nephews and the list of friends that are family is just too huge to list. Join us on April 22, 2025, at the Pacific Coast Showmen Association in Upland, California, as we celebrate the life and legacy of Chester G. Cable. Let us honor a true circus legend who dedicated over 76 years to entertaining and inspiring audiences worldwide.

John Wallace Pugh was born was born June 18, 1938 in the Kennington district of London, UK, the son of John "Digger" Pugh and Sheila Smale Pugh. John's skill, professionalism and exceptional achievements in the circus world have gained national and international recognition. There is a John W. Pugh Ring of the Circus Model Builder's Association, and a John W. Pugh Tent of the Circus Fans Association of America. At the request of H.S.H. Rainier III, John served as a judge of the prestigious International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo. The United Kingdom's World's Fair Association presented John with its "International Award," and John received Sarasota's Ringling Museum's "Power Behind the Scenes" Award. John Pugh entered the Circle of Fame on January 17, 2010 with the following being said about him, "Few have done more to preserve the traditions of the traveling, 3-Ring Tented American Circus." John is survived by his wife Brigitte Pugh; sisters Carol Moore, Janice Bell, and Sherry Nassif; brother Pete Whitaker; sister-in-law Jutta Toth; and close family member Tetyana Sinovyat. A visitation of family and friends will take place on Saturday March 1, 2025 at 1:00 PM. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM and both will be held at Lankford Funeral Home in DeLand, FL. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Wallace Pugh, please visit our flower store.

SAN DIEGO, CA — Circus Vargas is back in Southern California, with Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson leading the way. The traveling circus kicked off its new "Hollywood Dreams" show over the weekend in National City. The show, which pays homage to Tinseltown's Golden Age, is also headed to San Diego and Temecula. The two-hour production features world-renowned artists, aerialists, acrobats, comedians, daredevils and more. The show is led by Iverson, who has worked in the circus business for more than 25 years. "For me, Circus Vargas is special because it is deeply rooted in the spirit of family," Iverson told Patch. "There's a sense of fidelity that even our audience is a part of." Even before joining the circus, Iverson traveled the globe, performed for world leaders, and shared the stage with legendary entertainers. Read More

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gRkHGaQRW0

Introducing the very first video from the 1st International Circus Festival of Las Vegas! 🎉✨ Experience the breathtaking performances, stunning visuals, and the electrifying atmosphere of this groundbreaking event. This festival is the brainchild of Renato Fernandes, a sixth-generation circus performer and third-generation flying trapeze artist. Renato's illustrious career includes joining Cirque Du Soleil’s La Nouba in 2012 and making history as the first man to accomplish the Double Twisting Double Layout & a Half on the Flying Trapeze. His vision and dedication have brought together exceptional circus talent from around the globe to create an unparalleled spectacle in the heart of Las Vegas. www.LASVEGASCIRCUSFESTIVAL.com

By Sam Matheny Published: Feb. 4, 2025 at 6:55 PM EST|Updated: 11 hours ago BLOOMINGTON (25News Now) - A Bloomington woman who was struck and killed by an SUV late last weekis remembered for helping make McLean County a hub for aerial circus trainers. 76-year-old Cherie Valentine was killed after she was struck by the vehicle in the parking lot of Empire Plaza Shopping Center on Bloomington’s east side. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Bloomington was the training ground for many of the nation’s best circus performers. Over the years, more than 210 people from the Bloomington area became performers. “She’s part of this community’s rich history. You could call her circus royalty of a kind,” said Maureen Brunsdale, a special collections librarian at Illinois State University’s Milner Library. Read More

The Historical Society of Sarasota County is honoring Dolly Jacobs as a Hero of History for her work in preserving the circus legacy of Sarasota. Congratulations to our "Queen of the Air" on this recognition as Circus Preservationist and as a performer, teacher, lecturer, and co-founder of the Circus Arts Conservatory. Information about attending this event is above.

It is difficult to inform you that a dear friend and active CFA Member as well as active member of the Showfolks Tent, Showfolks Club, and Rudynoff Tent Barry DeChant passed away on Saturday Dec 28th after complications from pulmonary fibrosis, sepsis, and congestive heart failure. I personally got to meet Barry before moving to Sarasota when for a period of time he and Karen clowned and he was the Ringmaster for the Kelly Miller Circus while the show was doing its multiple police dates in the Maryland Area. Once here in Sarasota we became good friends and he was active in CFA, the Showfolks Tent, the Showfolks Club and the Rudynoff Tent. Barry has also been the Ringmaster for the Annual Windjammers Winter Convention performance when they performed with the Sailor Circus in the Sailor Arena. Karen has asked me to share her new email for those who would like to contact her. I am also including her mailing address for those who wish to send a card. Plans from Karen are that burial will be held at the Sarasota National Cemetery following cremation and a Celebration of Life will be held in the future and you will receive due notice. Karen E-mail: karendechant304@gmail.com Karen DeChant 4215 64th Ave. East Sarasota, FL 34243 Another real loss of a good friend and loyal circus fan and performer! Pete

Curtis Kidd Cainan Curtis Cainan passed peacefully at age 70 on July 31, 2024, in Tacoma, Washington with his sisters Cindy Hill and Carla Hanna at his side. Born in Ontario, Oregon, Curtis moved to Denver where he graduated from high school and learned to juggle. He joined the Ringling Circus Red Unit as a groom for half the 1973 season and all of 1974. With his quick smile and blonde hair, he was positioned at the performance curtain. Curtis joined the Chapman Family in 1975 performing in the aerial revolving ladder and the family juggling act at the Circus Hall of Fame in Sarasota, Florida. 1976 was in Canada for the Hubert Castle dates and 1977 on Franzen Bros Circus where he became the big top superintendent and performed juggling and a low wire act. In 1985 he joined Robert ‘Red’ Johnson and Jim Hebert to form Culpepper & Merriweather where he excelled in all areas. His pet dog Twila led him to make a dog act. He later added goats. Curtis was a friend to all and shared his gifts of leather tooling and saw playing. He lived in Gold Beach, Oregon for many years where he became a handyman and faithfully attended his church. His family will have a private service for him at a favorite childhood spot in Missoula, Montana.

Evanston resident reflects on her teenage years in the circus

HOPE, Maine (WABI) - An elephant that once called Maine home has died. Rosie and another elephant, Opal, came to Hope in 2012 through the work of Jim Laurita. The veterinarian had worked with the elephants when they were in a circus. Laurita created Hope Elephants, inviting schools and the public to visit the sanctuary in Midcoast, Maine. Sadly, two years later, Laurita was killed and both elephants returned to Oklahoma. The Endangered Ark Foundation says Rosie was the first official resident of the Endangered Ark Foundation, calling her a staff favorite for 31 years. They note during the past few weeks, Rosie was showing signs of decline and increased pain levels. A decision was made Monday to put her down.  Rosie was 55 years old. Her companion in Maine, Opal passed away in 2017.

We have learned of the passing of Matriarch Alice Walker of Sarasota whose services are now set for 11/26/24 at Robert Toale & Sons at Honore and Fruitville Rd. 11 to 12 noon Visitation 12 p.m. Service 1 p.m. Grave site service

Geary Lee Byrd was born in Lawton, Oklahoma to Lloyd Byrd and Vallene Baxter on June 26, 1946. Five years later in June of 1951 he was blessed with a little brother, Thomas Johnson. Geary and Tom would become best friends, with a few mishaps along the way. Geary would spend a lot of his younger years between Lawton and Duncan, Oklahoma. He had a strong work ethic and started working during high school at the local Humpty Dumpty grocery store. He graduated from Lawton High School in 1964. After graduation he attended the University of Oklahoma where he received his Civil Engineering degree. While studying at OU two life altering events took place. The first he participated in the ROTC, which helped launch his time in the Army where he served one tour in Vietnam as a 1st Lieutenant from July 1970-July 1971. The other major event was he met and fell in love with the love of his life Barbara Miller. Barbara and Geary were married on Jan. 24th, 1970 at the First Christian Church in Hugo, Oklahoma. They went from college sweethearts to celebrating 54 years of marriage, love and adventures. They were destined to be together and he won her over with his loving, naturing characteristics and his cooking skills. Their love story would take them across countries and on all kinds of journeys like hot air ballooning and white river rafting. Geary’s life took an unusual turn when he married Barbara for he quickly found himself working and traveling with the largest traveling circus of his time. Many believed that Geary, with his sweet caring nature and lack of any circus knowledge would not last on the circus. Not only did he embrace the circus life but with his hard work ethics and his resilience he thrived in the circus world. Over the years he helped make improvements that would make the daily strenuous routine of the circus run more smoothly and more efficiently. Perhaps not in the conventional way but he used his civil engineering studies throughout his lifetime. Geary and Barbara welcomed their first daughter, Traci Lea, in April of 1972 and completed their family with the birth of their second daughter, Kristin Marie, in September of 1975. A part from the circus, Geary’s true passion was fishing. This passion took him on adventures all over with dear friends and family. Geary always loved spending time with his family playing pool, playing cards or taking a dip in the pool. When he found a quiet moment, he loved to read. He and Barbara have always enjoyed watching sports but especially OU football. But what he absolutely loved more than anything was enjoying his five beautiful grandchildren. Whether he was watching them play soccer or football or listening to them play in the band or sing, he was their biggest fan. He spent countless hours watching Sponge Bob with all five of them. He was so proud of each one of them and loved them more than anything. Several years ago Geary started to show signs of memory loss. This cruel disease eventually was the cause of his death. He passed away on Nov. 4, 2024 surrounded by loved ones. He was proceeded in death by both paternal and maternal grandparents, his parents Vallene Yarmuk (James Yarmuk) and Lloyd Byrd (Jeanie Byrd), his brother Thomas Johnson, two sisters Cheryl Herman and Susan Burns and his uncle Harold Byrd (Joyce Byrd). He is survived by his loving wife Barbara Byrd, his daughter Traci Byrd of Hugo, his daughter Kristin Parra of Hugo (Gustavo Parra), five grandchildren Bryce Parra, Brandon Cavallini, Cameron Cavallini, Peyton Parra and Blake Parra. Siblings: Pennye Byrd Shafer (Rod Shafer) of Ardmore, OK, Trudy Blaylock (Keith Blaylock) of Kallispell, MT and Vickie Estrella of Jackson, MS. Nieces and Nephews: Carrie Johnson Horvath, Kevin Johnson, Tracy Herbig, Lydia Estrella, Dylon Herman, Haley Herman, Danielle Eder, Summer Burns and Katie Burns. A host of cousins, great nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to one of the following organizations: Tunnel to Towers t2t.org In memory of Geary Byrd ( tracilbyrd@yahoo.com ) Endangered Ark Foundation endangeredarkfoundation.org Services on Saturday Nov. 9th. 2024 At 10:00 A.M. at the Lift Center 1005 S. 5th. St. Hugo, Oklahoma 74743

Niles F. Calhoun August 20, 1939 - October 26, 2024 Niles F. (“Buddy”) Calhoun passed away on October 26, 2024, at the age of 85 in Jackson, MS. He was born on August 20, 1939, to the late Mary Campbell Calhoun and W.A. (“Dub”) Calhoun. Niles was also preceded in death by his sister, Donna Kay Agnew. Buddy is survived by his beloved wife, Serena; son, Bret (Christy); grandchildren Caroline, Emily, and Harrison; nephews James Dickerson (Robin) and Bo Agnew(Robin); nieces Wendy Agnew Hutchins, Melanie Lilly Lloyd (Kevin), and Mary Margaret Temple (Steve); and many grand nieces and nephews. Niles was a dedicated educator throughout his career, serving as a teacher and administrator in Pascagoula and Hinds County Schools, consultant for Computer Curriculum Corporation, and in educational programming at Mississippi E-TV. He was a 1957 graduate of Forrest Hill High School and furthered his education at Hinds Junior College and Mississippi College. A man of strong faith, Buddy was a long-time member of Morrison Heights Baptist Church. His personal interests included a lifelong passion for the circus, and he was an avid collector of circus memorabilia. Buddy also enjoyed playing the piano, especially when his grandchildren would sing with him. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 29, from 5:00-7:00 PM and on Wednesday, October 30, from 10:00-11:00 AM, with a memorial service following at 11:00 AM. All services will take place at Wright and Ferguson in Clinton, with burial at Lakewood Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Morrison Heights Baptist Church in Clinton.

Circus art is Joan Stevens’ specialty. Her precision brush work helps to restore and preserve the past. Stevens is passionate about restoring old circus wagons. She uses old trade skills that she has learned over the years and is still hand-painting, antiquing and gold gilding. She says a good day is when she can throw on some grubby blue jeans and sling some paint. Read more.

The entire Circus Arts Conservatory team stands with our community as we recover from Hurricane Milton. Our hearts are with everyone who has been affected by the storm. Like much of Sarasota, CAC has faced significant challenges from flooding this summer, with almost all of our buildings damaged by a flash flood in June, followed by Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and now Milton. Whatever challenges come our way, we remain committed to bringing life-changing circus arts programs to the young people of Sarasota – especially the thousands of children currently participating in our programs: Sailor Circus Academy, High School and Middle School Magnet classes, Recreational Classes, and Educational Outreach. Together, we will recover. We are #CACStrong and we are #SarasotaStrong! If you would like to join us in our recovery journey, please donate today. Donate

DURAND, Wis. — Wisconsin bars are known for their pints and their patrons. About the last thing you'd expect to discover in such a place would be 55 feet of historic American artwork. "I was really surprised once we took all the electrical plate covers and seen it went the whole length of the wall," said Ron Berger. "Curiosity for sure, like, 'What is under here?'" It was 2015 and Berger was renovating the Corral Bar and Riverside Grill in Durand to add a banquet room. Nearly the second he went to work, something caught his eye. "When I cut this doorway through and I run into this buffalo charging at me," Berger said. "All the time, what the heck is under here? Because we had no idea." As he tore down more of the wall, he discovered the buffalo was part of a hidden circus billboard from Aug. 17, 1885. The circus had elephants, giraffes, lions and even sea creatures, allegedly. Read more Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/durand-wisconsin-bar-historic-circus-art/

Review: COME ALIVE! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular (Empress Musem) Ladies and gents, this is the moment you’ve waited for – The Greatest Showman on stage… sort of. You’ll have to wait a bit longer to see the official musical adaptation currently in the works by Disney, but in the meantime the much-loved movie makes its presence felt in London with the launch of Come Alive – The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular at the newly launched Empress Museum. Aiming to bring something different to London audiences and fill a gap in the theatre scene, the question we are all of course wondering is would this really be the greatest show? Read more. Source: https://www.allthatdazzles.co.uk/post/review-come-alive-the-greatest-showman-circus-spectacular-empress-musem

The Ringling’s Historic Circus Museum sustained damage to its roof and subsequent interior water damage, which will force it to close for at least a couple of weeks, but officials said the museum campus otherwise fared better than they feared during Hurricane Milton.  Source: https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/entertainment/arts/2024/10/13/hurricane-milton-damage-closes-sarasotas-ringling-circus-museum/75658981007/