Part III - Culture, a supplement to the Big Rapids Pioneer Newspaper. Used with permission.



CIRCUS COMING TO TOWN

While an occasional circus still makes stops in Big Rapids and Mecosta County, circuses today don't seem to be as big an attraction as they were in days gone by when children and adults put their arrival at the top of the entertainment calendar.

' The parade through downtown Big Rapids to the Reunion Grounds where the circus set-up was always a big event similar to the 19th century (top right).

Other circus attractions over the years have included a bicycle stunt performance in the front of the former Dalziel stables at the corner of Maple and State Strrets and Frank Van Doozen's dive from the top of the old Opera House on the southeast corner of Elm Strret and Michigan Avenue on Aig. 27, 1904.

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