Big John Strong's Circus Gallery - 1 - 1960s & 70


A good friend of my Fathers named Ron Sanford came to the NB State Fair.  Ron is a Circus Fan like NO other.

My Father use to call him often. Ron liked my Father so much he took picture's of my Fathers Circus when ever it was close by.  Ron was also a personal friend of D.R. Miller and family as well.  He is now in his 70's.  Ron took most of these picture's.  In his personal collection he has picture's I've never seen before.  Ron took photograph from the 1950's to the 1980's.  I have received permission from him to share his images with Sideshow World.  So here is some of the "BEST" picture's ever taken of our Circus.

 

The 1950's picture's were taken at Thousand Oaks Calif. For the Circus Fans convention. Middle 50's.


The 1960's pictures were taken in SF at a shopping center for a special promotion with the Foley and Burk Carnival.

What a NICE main Entrance to Circus. Red and Blue Big TOP!

 

Photographs © copyright Ron Sanford, all rights reserved.  Post here courtesy of John Strong III

 

I would like to thank Linda for the descriptions found on each of the photographs.
 


Click On The Photos Below To View Full Size.


 

Images from 1961

Images from 1962

 

 

 

 

 


Images from 1962

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 Black and White Images from 1970

 

 

 

"Checkers the Clown",  

aka  Steve Baker

on the outside sideshow

 

Circus Llama, "Peedee"

 

Animal Truck

 


 

Circus Silver Truck,

aka the light--plant truck

Big John's  1st semi- trailer

up front we carried the concession supplies & novelties, in the back was where the big-top & sidewall, ect.

Circus  seat trailer on the flat-bed, Circus sleeper  inside the back

 

"Eddie Spaghetti the Clown",        aka   Norman Pitchford  / " Big John" / "Checkers "

 

Eddie Spaghetti in wash-gag costume 

 


 

 

"Bobby Sheets" (center) holding his dancing cane & dove. on lft. Tom Speidel,  on rgt. David Pugh in there wire act costumes

"Betty & Heidi Wendany"  on deck

 

"Checkers the Clown" & the back of Harry Baker

"Checkers the Clown"

"Checkers the Clown" / "Arthur the McCaw, Big John at his podium


 

"Checkers" w/circus fan?

Charlie Querrin" 

"Little John Strong"  in backyard

"Sandi  Strong"  in costume

"Dwayne LeBeau"

w/ "Baby Neena II


 

 

"Dwayne LeBeau"

 w/ "Baby Neena II

"Dwayne LeBeau"

w/ "Baby Neena II

"Checkers"

w/circus fans?

"Eddie Spaghetti" &  "Checkers" after boxing gag

"Eddie Spaghetti" 

 w/ balloon stick bundle


 

 

 

 

 

"Heidi Wendany"

balancing juggling prop

Circus animal truck 

w/ dog ramp open

 

 

 


 

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