Story Published: Apr 17, 2009 at 7:06 PM PDT
Story Updated: Apr 17, 2009 at 8:08 PM PDT
KOMONews.com Seattle,Washington
By KOMO Staff PUYALLUP, Wash. -- Investigators said the soft ground may have cause a children's ride at the Spring Fair to topple over and injure several people on Friday evening.
Investigators on scene said the Lolli Swings, a rotating swing ride for children, fell on its side around 6:30 p.m. According to a witness named "Lynn," the ride was fully occupied when it fell over, and several children were badly injured.
"They were setting up a trauma area when the I walked away because I couldn't watch anymore," she said.
Officials on scene said the ride was carrying 14 people, including several adults, at the time.
One child and one adult were transported to Good Samaritan Hospital. The extent of their injuries and their conditions were not known. Several other kids were taken to the hospital by their parents with bumps and bruises.
Investigators said the Kiddyland ride, which has been operating at the fair for the past five years, had just passed a safety inspection on Wednesday. They believe the soft, soggy ground under the ride might have given way, causing the ride to collapse.
The investigation is ongoing.
The photo below shows the ride prior to collapse: 
Friday, April 17, 2009
Investigators: Soft ground may be to blame for fair ride collapse
Grandstand Performers From 1948-1965
Canadian National Exhibition
1948 Afternoon.... Hell Drivers
Evening.... Olsen and Johnson, Rosales Sisters, Astor, Adamsons, Three Barretts, Harvey Girls, Gautier’s Steeplechase, Hoaglin’s Push Ball on Horse Back, The Renes, English Juggling Jewels, Wilfred Mae Trio, California Queens, Hoaglin’s High Jumping Horses, Lott and Joe Anders, Boby Whaling & Yvette, Al. Castle & Co., Hoaglin’s High School Horses, Parker Brothers, Edward Brothers, Kay and Kay, Gaudsmith Brothers and their French Poodles, Hoaglin’s Roman Standing Races, Cimse Sensation, Zacchini’s Double Repeating Cannon, Hoaglin’s Chariot Races
1949 Afternoon.... “Circus” – Henry’s Trained Dogs, Plutocrats, Josh’s Monkeys, Marcus Troupe, Shirley Lavalle, Jean Dawn, Florence Hin Lowe, Smetona, Don Francesco, Robinson’s Elephants, Pia & Kitchen’s Menace Horse Act, Four Cantons, Sorelle Saltons & Co., Bradfords, Baranek Sisters, the Saranoffs Troupe, Kitchen’s Liberty Horse Act, Ferdinand the Bull, Von Schmidt’s “Tony,” Flying Dobritsch, Glen’s, Allaine and Allain, Peaches and her Aerial Sky Ballet
Evening.... Olsen and Johnson, Ernst Adams, Gloria Gilbert, Wallace Siebert, Marty May, Patricia Wells, CanAmerican Singers, June Johnson, Bill Hayes, Army, Navy and Air Force Drill Corp. and Band, Bell Singers, Halifax Junior Bengal Dancers, Palemberg’s Bears
1950 Afternoon.... Kirk Adams Dogs, English Cycling Victoria Troupe, Mike Telesco, The Chamberty’s, Sky Princess, Claire and Hudson, Johnny Welde and his Bears, Evers and Delores, Parker Brothers, Loof Rios, Wheels and the Four Fays, Amadoris, Rossi Troupe, Arsene Gautier and his Steeplechase, Lawrence Trio, The Ricardi Amandi Troupe, Three Aerial Downies, Sam Linfield & his Crazy Scouts, The Zoppe Zavatta Troupe
Hell Drivers
Evening.... Danny Kaye, Polyna Stoska, the Rudells, Ted and Flo Valett, CNE Symphony Orchestra, Precision Drill by members of the Navy, Army and Air Force, CNE Dancing and Choral Ensemble, CNE Ballet Corps.
1951 Afternoon.... Sylvia’s Canines, Flying Otaris, Tucker Troupe, Gonzales Sisters and Canines, Billy Ward Flyers, Bruce Brothers, Irah Watkins and his Famous Chimps, Ira Millette and Penny, Lynn and Linda, Oldfield and Ware, La Foun Troupe, Alex and Galina, Pedro and Durand, Henry Robinson’s Baby Elephants, La Marettes, Eltons, Hollywood Sky Rockets, Dr. Cooper’s Horses
Helldrivers
Evening.... Jimmy Durante, Regina Resnik, Blackburn Twins with Pam Cavan, Donald Dickson, Nirska, Eddie Jackson, The Dassies, Boy Foy, Lois and David Adams, CNE Symphony Orchestra, Canadian Ballet, Canadian Choral Ensemble, Precision Drill by Members of the Navy, Army and Air Force, CNE Ballet Corp., CNE Singing Ensemble, CNE Glee Club
1952 Afternoon.... Janet’s Circus, Torelli’s Circus, Nio Ye, La Blonde Reio, Winnie Colleano, Wong Brothers, Capt. Joe Hanson Jr. with The Baby Elephants, Ferdinand and Jerry, The Don Wallys, The Three Sidneys, Torelli’s Beautiful Black Liberty Horses, The Shanghai Twins, Oriental Wongs, The Fearless Stars, Aerial Winters, Jaqueline Hurley, Mia and Malti, The Six Tokayers, Leontimes, Allan and Co., R.C.M.P. Musical Ride, The Do-Si-Ettes.
Hell Drivers
“Canadiana” Tony Martin, Alan and Blanche Lund, Eric Christmas, Max Ferguson, The Keppos, Malvern Collegiate Precision Squad, C.N.E. Vocale Ensemble, C.N.E. Dance Ensemble, R.C.M.P. Musical Ride, The Seven Royal Ashtons, Celia Franca, Lois Smith, David Adams, C.N.E. Corps de Ballet, Toronto Reserve Naval Division, Harvey Stone, Lou Willis Jr., Evelyn Gould, The Canadettes.
1953.... “Canadiana” Victor Borge, Jimmy Shields, Darvis and Julia, Eric Christmas, Terry Dale, Billy O’Conner, Bernard Johnson, Boby Brnadt, Irene Apine, Myrt & Gert, Warren, Latona & Sparks, C.N.E. Singers, Dancers and Showgirls, Canadian Armed Forces Drill Squad, Boy Scouts of Canada.
1954 Early Show.... Scotty Wilson Band, Captain Eddy with his Comedy Car and Clown, Motorcycle Dispatch Rider Display Team, George Murray.
Afternoon.... “Roy Rogers’ Circus” – Roy Rogers and Trigger, Dale Evans and Buttermilk, Pat Brady with Nellybelle, The Sons of The Pioneers.
Evening.... Roy Rogers – Dale Evans Troupe, Trigger, Canadian Armed Forces Drill Squad, Motor Cycle Dispatch Rider Display Team, Howard Cable and the CNE Orchestra, Pat Henning, The Mathurins, Dean Brothers, Wells Brothers, Calgary Brothers, Captain Eddy, The Rudells, Mazonne-Abbot Dancers, Al Dault, Estelle Sloan, Nita & Pepi, The Four Bogdadis.
1955 Afternoon.... C.N.E. Orchestra, Canadian Army P-T Squad, Clara Bell, Les Orioles, Bob Top and Lauren, Aerial Barretts, Trombelli Troupe, Elas and Waldo, Lou Bogert, Flying White Horses, Watkins’ Chimpanzees, Francisco and Delores, Walt and Family, Willy, West and McGinty, Jacl Joyce and Camels, Wazzan Troupe, Skating Berrys, Hollywood Skyrockets, Leon Eleana, Lassie and Jimmie Rettig (1st week), The Four Lads (2nd week)
“Canadiana” Ed Sullivan, Marilyn Bell, Lassie (1st week), The Four Lads (2nd week), Canadian Army P-T Squad, The Wazzan Troupe, Bob Trop & Lauren, Walt & Family, Francisco & Dolores, Willy, West & McGinty, Donna Grescoe, Dave Broadfoot, Elsa and Waldo, Will Mahoney, Rosemary Burns, Four Step Brothers, Wally Koster, C.N.E. Singers & Dancers, The Canadettes.
1956 Afternoon.... “The Gene Autry Show” – Gene Autry, Annie Oakley, Barbara Bardo, The Cass County Boys, The Promenaders, Carl Cotner and His Melody Ranch Orchestra.
R.C.M.P. Musical Ride.
Evening.... Richard Hearne, Jean Wetzel, Bobby Wynters, Fred Barker, Three Deuces, Gaudsmith Brothers, Lola Dobritch, Three Merkys, The Goetschis, “Scampy”, Canadettes, Alan and Blanche Lund, Nirska, The Stuart Morgan Dancers, 2nd and 4th Battalions, Regiment of Canadian Guards, 1st and 2nd Battalions, Royal Highlanders of Canada (Black Watch), the 48th Highlanders of Canada.
1957.... “Canadiana” Bob Hope, Geoffrey Holder, D’Arco & Gee, Wally Koster, Shari McKim, Jo, Jae and Joni, The Alcettys, Martha Ann Bentley, Canadian Armed Forces Services P-T Team, the C.N.E. Vocal and Dance Ensemble, Training Command Band of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
1958.... “Canadiana” Danny Kaye, Lorraine Foreman, Larry Mann, The Hames Sisters, Lynn Randall, Kurt Frindt’s Morlidor Trio, The Nerveless Nocks, Tulara Lee, Norbu, The Three Wiles, The Zacchinis, Royal Canadian Signals Band, Canadian Tri-Service Drill Team, C.N.E. Orchestra, C.N.E. Singers, Dancers and Showgirls.
1959.... “Canadiana” George Gobel, Eric House, Lotana, Graham and Chadell, William Tabbert, Varel and Bailly with Les Chanteurs de Paris, Miller and Archer, Janik and Arnaut, Ming and Ling, Gino Donati, The Taylor Twins, Canadettes, C.N.E. Symphony Orchestra, C.N.E. Ballet Ensemble, C.N.E. Dancers.
1960.... “Canadiana” Phil Silvers, Victor Borge, Jon Vickers, Barbara Franklin, Bill Walker, The Hi-Lites, Rosemary Bailey, Walter Dane, Walh and Oldfield, Robert’s Leopards, Princess Tajana, The Hanneford Family, Howard Cable and the C.N.E. Orchestra, Serbian Dance Group, the Italian Canadian Singers, the Nirloda Dancers, the International Ballet, C.N.E. Singers and the Orchestra, Canadettes, Hanneford Horses.
1961.... “Canadiana” Canadian Symphony Orchestra, Peter Mews, Christine Wells & the Four Fays, The Lounsberry Sisters, George Hanneford Family, Joey Hollingsworth, Wally Dean, Victor Julian & his Pets, Ernestine Russell, R.C.M.P. Musical Ride, The Six Singing Canegans, Maureen Hill, Margo MacKinnon, Canadettes, The Metropolitan Toronto Police Units, Canadiana Dancers & Singers, Metropolitan Toronto Secondary School Students, Navy League of Canada Cadets, The Air Cadet League of Canada, The Therons.
1962.... “Canadiana” Teresa Stratas, Pepper Davis & Tony Reese, J. Frank Willis, The De John Sisters, Julie and Kay, Ken Boen and the New Gray Mare, Ann Marston, Canadettes Toronto Fire Department, Canadiana Dancers and Singers, The Royal Regiment of Canada, Bruce Webb, Margo MacKinnon, Doug Romaine, Eddie Collins, Jim Corey, Canadian Symphony Orchestra.
“Matinee Fun Fest”
The Three Stooges
1963.... “Canadiana” Robert Goulet, R.C.M.P. Musical Ride, Billy Van, Bill Walker, Ruth Walker, Canadiana Symphony Orchestra, Jack Durant, Taylor Twins, George Carl, Norbu, The Wazzans, The Three Bizzarro Brothers, Canadiana Singers and Dancers, The Canadettes.
“Matinee Fun Fest”
The Three Stooges, Norbu.
1964.... “Canadiana” Jack Carter, Carmel Quinn, Guy Marks, Eleanor Calbes, Allan Bruce, Bal Caron Trio, Rositi and Alberto, Les Tonelys, Mae Butler, Lupo Keawe, Olive Brown, Canadiana Symphony Orchestra, Nalalya Butko, Ken Steele, Canadiana Dancers and Singers, Bal Caron Trio, La Clique Alouette, Canadettes.
“Matinee Fun Fest”
Mickey Mouse and his 26 friends direct from Disneyland, Tarzan and
His Lions, The Great Wallendas.
1965.... “Sights and Sounds of the Sixties”
Bob Hope, Victor Borge, Francois Szony & Nancy Claire, The Womenfolk, Doug Crosley, The Hanneford Family, Debbie Lori Kaye, Wes Harrison, The Three Bragazzi, The Liverpool Set, Canadiana Dancers, Canadiana Symphony Orchestra, Canadiana Male Quartette, Toronto Fire Department, Canadettes.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Circus World repairs, prepares
By Brian D. Bridgeford / News Republic
With the beginning of the live performance season May 16, staff and contractors at Circus World Museum are busy repairing damage from last year's flooding while staff gets more than 50 wagons ready for Milwaukee's Great Circus Parade in July.
Museum Executive Director Steve Freese gathered Thursday morning with the executive committee of the Circus World Museum Foundation. It is the non-profit group that runs the museum on behalf of the Historical Society of Wisconsin. He reported on a variety of issues including fundraising efforts, ongoing restoration of circus wagons for the Milwaukee parade and repairs from heavy June flooding on the museum grounds.
Outside, workers from Blum Excavating of Baraboo used a backhoe and shovels to uncover a section of the foundation of the historic Ring Barn. When the area was the winter quarters of the Ringling Brothers Circus in the late 1800s and the early 1900s, the barn was where circus performers such as horse riders practiced their acts.
Freese said pressure from water that flooded the Ring Barn baandsement drained away damaged the foundation on both sides of the building. Officials of the Wisconsin Department of Administration estimate it will cost about $105,000 to repair, he told committee members.
As the Blum employees freed the foundation from the earth, sections could be seen where many of the foundation's large limestone blocks were missing.
Ben Blum, son of company owner Dean Blum, said the foundation would be repaired using the same stones.
Freese said the courtyard between the Feld Exhibit Hall and the Ring Barn also suffered from being soaked and the soil beneath it is settling, causing the asphalt surface to become uneven and break up.
Freese said he plans to have eight-foot-wide sidewalks constructed to connect the exhibit hall and Ring Barn. The rest of the courtyard will be left in grass, as it was when the Ringling Brothers used the site.
Flooding over much of the museum's main parking lot continues to cause settling, including the growth of sink holes "big enough to put a car in," Freese joked.
"They're looking at whether they need to take the asphalt entirely off and re-do the (gravel) base, or if it only needs to be repaired in the spots that are causing the problem," he said. "We don't know that answer yet."
During the flooding, the Baraboo River reached high enough on its south bank to cover parts of two rare and historic circus railroad cars, the Ringling baggage horse car and an advertising rail car used by the Al G. Barnes & Sells Floto Combined Circus, he said. CWM plans to move them further up the bank so they can be displayed in a covered shed with open sides.
"The Al G. Barnes, it was up past the trucks, which is what they roll on, it was inside the car," Freese said. "(Water) was probably up six or seven feet on it."
They must also move two large electrical transformers on the museum grounds away from flood-prone areas, he said.
Freese told the News Republic repairs might cost about $330,000 all in all. Some of that has already been paid by the museum's insurance provider and the Federal Emergency Management Agency officials are promising to spring for much of the other repairs, he said.
In addition to repairs, CWM is continuing the restoration of a house the Ringing Brothers used as an office and the Ringling train shed west of Broadway near Lynn Street.
In the Deppe Wagon Restoration Pavilion, Rock Springs sign artist Joan Stevens was painting golden scroll work on the dark green side of the newly-reconstructed Ken Maynard Air Calliope, a type of musical circus wagon. In January, the same wagon had been stripped to bare wood and the CWM carpenter was working to replace parts destroyed by wood rot or old age.
Stevens said she gets a sense of pride and peace using traditional hand techniques to decorate CWM's historic wagons.
"Now a days, a lot of stuff we do is just cut on the computer, it's canned," she said. "This is actually re-creating something that was originally created by hand. This is much more fulfilling," Stevens said.
CWM Wagon Superintendent Harold "Heavy" Burdick said work has been done on about three-quarters of the museum's wagons as parade day approaches, including repairs to 200 steel-rimmed wooden wagon wheels.
"We'll have about 52 wagons in the parade," he said. "We'll have five wardrobe wagons for our costumes."
Freese expressed pride in the work museum employees and volunteers are doing as they prepare for the Great Circus Parade July 12. He said the colorful circus wagons will be ready for the parade and have been beautifully refurbished for future visitors to see.
"Very nice, he said of the calliope. "They've done a fantastic job restoring that."
The schedule of the CWM 2009 performance season is available on the museum Web site. It lists a clown make up show, interactive children's circus, a tiger adventure, magic show and a classic American circus performance, along with other fun and the year-round museum exhibits.
"We'll have 11 live shows daily beginning May 16," Freese said.
Information about Circus World Museum, its hours of operation, performances and exhibits may be found online — www.circusworldmuseum.com
