From the archives: Do you remember Hamilton’s Mini Circus?

Mini circus members 13-year-old Janelle Russo and 11-year-old Beth Hurst with 10-year-old Tammy Spicer on German Wheel and 10-year-old Todd Jones. JOURNAL-NEWS PHOTO ARCHIVES

Mini circus members 13-year-old Janelle Russo and 11-year-old Beth Hurst with 10-year-old Tammy Spicer on German Wheel and 10-year-old Todd Jones. JOURNAL-NEWS PHOTO ARCHIVES
News
By Amy Burzynski
Updated July 19, 2019
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It was called the Hamilton Mini Circus and it was billed as “The Greatest Little Show Anywhere.”

It grew from an original group of 20 boys and girls to more than 100 children ranging in age from 8 to 16. Lincoln Elementary School in Hamilton was home base for the circus which drew participants from Wilson Junior and Taft high schools.

HISTORIC PHOTOS: Remembering Hamilton’s Mini Circus in old black-and-white images

The circus featured feats on unicycles, trapezes and other aerial acts. It also had rhythmic rope jumping, Limbo, tumbling and acrobatics. The Hamilton Mini Circus was started by director Jim Smith and assisted by Lynn Hoffman and Carlos Looper.

It held its first performance on Jan. 27, 1970, at a Lincoln School PTA meeting. It did many appearances including halftime performance at college and professional basketball games.

MORE HISTORY FEATURES:

Explore• From the archives: Do you remember these old Hamilton businesses?

• Butler County history: High School marching band camps of decades past

Explore• Photos: Butler County Sheriff’s Department through the years
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About the Author

Amy Burzynski