Circus Ring of Fame
The Circus Ring of Fame is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and permanent cultural monument that recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the art and culture of the circus over the span of a career.[1] Located on St. Armands Key in Sarasota, Florida, the foundation honors world-famous circus artists, executives, and advance professionals, celebrating the rich circus heritage of the Sarasota area.[2]
History
In mid-1985, Larry Marthaler, the director of the Sarasota Convention and Visitor Bureau, was invited by Sarasota Mayor Bill Kline to join a group of local business leaders to explore ways to promote the city's approaching centennial celebration. They sought to employ a circus theme, as Sarasota was the historic winter home of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and home to several other circuses and numerous performing families.[3]
After weeks of meetings, the committee struggled to find ideas that did not require extensive upfront funding. Over Thanksgiving weekend 1985, Marthaler and his wife, Mary, watched a television news broadcast covering an induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Inspired, Marthaler proposed a Sarasota "Circus Walk of Fame." The committee approved the concept but selected the name "Circus Ring of Fame" to avoid infringing on the Hollywood trademark.
Prominent Sarasota artist Frank Hopper (1924–2022), who had previously designed artwork for the city's centennial, collaborated with circus historian John Lentz to design the organization's signature wagon wheel symbol. The initiative was officially approved in 1986, and the first induction ceremony took place in April 1988.[4]
In 1993, the Circus Ring of Fame Foundation separated from the convention and visitor's bureau and incorporated as an independent non-profit organization. In the late 2010s, facing financial challenges, an all-volunteer board led by chair and CEO Bill Powell successfully stabilized the organization, refocusing its efforts on long-term storytelling and public legacy.
Hurricane damage and restoration
In October 2024, Hurricane Milton came ashore near St. Armands Circle causing extensive damage to businesses, homes and the Circus Ring of Fame monument.[5] An emergency assessment revealed that 40 to 50 percent of the solid bronze plaques required full restoration after being submerged in saltwater and debris. Due to the destruction and out of respect for the rebuilding community, the Foundation postponed its 2025 awards ceremony to February 2026, dedicating 2025 to a massive historical restoration and mitigation effort.
The monument and induction process
The Circus Ring of Fame features more than 150 inductees from around the world. Each inductee is honored with a bronze wagon wheel plaque that permanently resides around the perimeter of St. Armands Circle. Visitors can interact with the monument by scanning QR codes on the plaques with mobile devices to access biographies, photographs, and videos detailing the human interest stories of every honoree.
Each year, honorees are nominated by the general public. The final inductees are voted on by a committee consisting of former inductees, historians, scholars, and knowledgeable members of the global circus arts community. The annual induction ceremony is a large-scale live event and television production, described by the Foundation as a combination of an "Academy Awards Lifetime Achievement and Hollywood Walk of Fame."
At the ceremony, inductees unveil their bronze wagon wheels from underneath red velvet covers.[5] In recent years, the foundation has expanded its recognition categories to include:
- Lifetime Achievement: Honoring a lifelong career of contribution to circus arts.
- Advance Professionals: Honoring the business groups and individuals who work behind the scenes to ensure circus tours are successful enterprises.[6]
- Generation NeXt: Spotlighting creative accomplishment and leadership in the next generation of circus arts professionals.
- Coach of the Year: Recognizing the importance of educators and mentorship in the circus arts.
The significance of the award is often described by the Foundation through the concept of "six minutes of perfection"—the average length of a circus artist's presentation. Artists spend lifetimes developing routines for live audiences, performing not for wealth, but for the love of the craft and the joy of the public.
List of inductees
The Circus Ring of Fame honors both legendary performers (such as aerialists, clowns, and animal trainers) and visionary industry leaders.
Individual and family inductees
- A: (Frank Bartlett) Felix Adler, Fay Alexander, The Alexis Brothers, Harold Alzana, Elly Ardelty, Reggie Armor, Ashton Family, The Three Atayde Brothers.
- B: James A. Bailey, Elvin Bale, Bale Family, Phineas Taylor Barnum, Richard Barstow, Joseph Bauer, Charly Baumann, Clyde Beatty, Josephine Berosini, Bertinis, Paul Binder, Allen Bloom, Ursula Boettcher, Ella and Fred Bradna, Lottie Brunn and Francis Brunn, Ernie (Blinko) Burch.
- C: George Carden, The Carrillos, Hubert Castle, Terry Cavaretta & Flying Cavarettas, Clarke Family, Alfredo Codona, Con Colleano, Antoinette Concello, Arthur M. Concello, Charles and Mathias Coronas, Alfred Court, Cristiani Family, Cucciolo, William Hanford (Cap) Curtis, Franz (Tihany) Czeisler.
- D: Ben, Eva and Norma Davenport, Pinito Del Oro, Cecil B. DeMille, Kenny Dodd, Lola Dobritch, Franco Dragone.
- E: William (Willie) Edelston, Gee Gee Engesser, Flying Espanas, Merle Evans.
- F: Irvin Feld and Kenneth Feld, Italo Fornasari and Family, La Norma Fox, Fredonias.
- G: Tito Gaona and Family, Ian Garden, Gunther Gebel-Williams, Otto Griebling.
- H: Ward Hall, Hamid Family, Hanneford Family, Catherine Hanneford-Carden, Struppi Hanneford, Doctor J.Y. Henderson, Hernandez Troupe, John Herriott, Captain William Heyer, Allen Hill, Father Jerry Hogan, Tim Holst.
- J: Dolly Jacobs, Lou Jacobs, Terrell Jacobs, Victor Julian, Jumbo (First Animal).
- K: Emmett Kelly, Karl L. King, Floyd R. King, King Charles Troupe, Herta Klauser (Cuneo), Arthur, Alexander and Dorita Konyot.
- L: Guy Laliberté, LaLage, LaTosca (Canestrelli), Jackie LeClaire, Lillian Leitzel, Rudi and Sue Lenz, The Loyal-Repensky Troupe.
- M: Wayne McCary, Gene Mendez, D.R. (Dory) and Isla Miller, Charles Moroski, Ron Morris.
- N: Nelson Family, Nerveless Nocks, Count Nicholas, Bello Nock, Henry (Buddy) Ringling North, John Ringling North.
- P: Flying Palacios, Pedrolas, Fred Pfening Jr., H.S.R.H. Prince Rainier III of Monaco, HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco, John Pugh.
- Q: Los Quiros.
- R: Pedro Reis, Dan Rice, Richter/Casselly Families, The Five Ringling Brothers, Albert Rix, Rodos Troupe/Palace Duo, Pablo Rodriguez and Family, Rogana, Harold Ronk, Derek Rosaire and Family, Manuel (Junior) Ruffin.
- S: Charles Schlarbaum, George Scott, Galla Shawn (Mary "Tiny" Gallegher), Charles (Chuck) Sidlow, Charlie Smith, David Smith Sr. and Jr., Starless Night, Mabel Stark, Tony Steele, Stephenson Family, Wilson (Willie) Storey.
- T: Dieter Tasso (Krakow), Theron Family, Troupe Del Moral, Massimilliano Truzzi.
- U: Franz Unus, Vicki (LaToria) Unus.
- V: Pat Valdo, Cliff Vargas, Count Roberto de Vasconcellos, Miguel Vazquez, Vazquez Family.
- W: Cedric Walker, Carla Wallenda, Jenny Wallenda, Nik Wallenda, Tino Wallenda, The Flying Wallendas Troupe, Rex Williams, Jeanette Williams, Peggy Williams, Dime Wilson Family, Hans Winn, Tina (Galaxy Girl) Winn, May Wirth, Buckles and Barbara Woodcock.
- Y: Yong Brothers.
- Z: The Zacchinis, Jacqueline Zerbini, Jean (Tarzan) Zerbini, Sylvia Zerbini, Alberto Zoppe.
Group inductees
- Advance Professionals
The Advance Professionals category recognizes publicists, promoters, photographers, booking agents, and executives who lay the groundwork for circus operations:
Governance
The Circus Ring of Fame Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees and operates through several specialized committees, including an executive committee, Nominations Committee, Fundraising Committee, Communications Committee, Governance and Administration, and an Awards Ceremony Event Committee.
References
- ↑ "About Us." *Circus Ring of Fame*. Retrieved August 8, 2026, from [1](https://www.circusringoffame.org/about-us/) 2. "Circus Ring of Fame." *Circopedia*. Retrieved August 8, 2026, from [2](https://www.circopedia.org/Circus_Ring_of_Fame) 3. "The History of the Circus in Sarasota County." *Visit Sarasota*, December 31, 2020. 4. "Bill Powell on Rebuilding Circus Ring of Fame®." *StageLync*, January 6, 2026. 5. "Individual Inductees." *Circus Ring of Fame*. Retrieved August 8, 2026, from [3](https://www.circusringoffame.org/individual-inductees/) 6. "Group Inductees." *Circus Ring of Fame*. Retrieved August 8, 2026, from [4](https://www.circusringoffame.org/group-inductee
- ↑ Peter Dobins,
- ↑ "Winter Quarters | Sarasota History Alive!". Archived from the original on 2026-01-15. Retrieved 2026-08-14.
- ↑ Helen Griffith, Circus Ring of Fame Inducts Five More Greats, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Apr. 19, 1988, p.206
- ↑ Sarasota Herald Tribune, Oct 8, 2024, A8
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