2024 Circus historical society convention PROGRAM

3:00 - 4:00 P.M. CHS Board of Trustees Meeting (Trustees only), Clairmont Board Room

4:00 - 5:00 P.M. First of May Meeting (CHS Trustees and First of May attendees), Clairmont Board Room

5:00 - 7:00 P.M. Welcome Reception,  Centennial Foyer

7:00 - 8:30 A.M. Breakfast on your own

Speakers and Presentations: Centennial Ballroom

8:00 A.M. - 8:30 P.M. Registration tent in Ballroom, Silent Auction bidding opens, auction display in Ballroom, sales tables in Ballroom

8:30 - 8:45 A.M. Welcome Remarks, Bruce Hawley, CHS President and Stasia Kelly, Convention Chair & Trustee

8:45 - 9:00 A.M. Introduction of Board, Convention committee, and high tenure members, Bruce Hawley, CHS President

9:00 - 10:00 A.M. Circus in the City (Panel), Chris Berry, CHS Vice President (Moderator), Paul Binder, Big Apple Circus, Ramon Vazquez, Circus Vazquez, and Benjamin Johnson, UniverSoul Circus

10:00 - 10:15 A.M. Morning Break

10:15 - 10:45 A.M. James F. O'Connell: The Jig-Dancing Tattooed Irishman, Amelia Osterud, CHS Secretary

10:45 - 11:15 A.M. Talkin' Geek: A Concise History of the Sideshow Geek and Allied Acts, Nathan Wakefield

11:15 – 11:45 A.M. Rosa Rosalind: Maid of Mystery, Patrick Bracy, CHS Trustee

11:45 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Administrative Announcements, Stasia Kelly, Convention Chair & CHS Trustee

Noon - 1:00 P.M. Lunch on your own

1:00 - 1:30 P.M. Every Day is Circus Day: Disney Parks & Circus, Betsy Golden Kellem, CHS Trustee

1:30 - 2:00 P.M. Sharing Circus History (1793 to the present) with Adult Learners, Lynn Duncan, CHS Member

2:00 - 2:30 P.M. Circus Education, Shana Kennedy, CHS Member

2:30 - 3:30 P.M. Afternoon Break

3:30 - 4:00 P.M. Robert Brisendine Papers at Emory University, Gaby Hale, Outreach Archivist, Rose Library, Emory University

4:00 - 4:30 P.M. Writing for Bandwagon, Chris Berry, Bandwagon Associate Editor

4:30 - 4:45 P.M. The World's Greatest Tentmaker: The William Hobson Story, Brian Hollifield, CHS Trustee

4:45 - 5:00 P.M. Administrative Announcements, Stasia Kelly, Convention Chair & CHS Trustee

5:00 - 5:15 P.M. Viewing of Rare William Hobson Architectural Drawings of 1930s-era Ringling Bros Circus Tents, Brian Hollifield, CHS Trustee

5:15 - 7:00 P.M. Dinner on your own

7:00 - 8:30 P.M. High Grass Circus Film Showing, featuring commentary by Al Stencell, CHS Trustee

7:00 - 9:00 A.M. Breakfast on your own

Speakers and Presentations: Centennial Ballroom

8:00 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. Registration tent in Ballroom, auction display in Ballroom, sales tables in Ballroom

8:45 - 9:00 A.M. Administrative Announcements, Stasia Kelly, Convention Chair & CHS Trustee

9:00 - 10:15 A.M. Circus Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow with Legendary Circus Artist Bello Nock, Introduction by Wayne McCary, CHS Trustee, and Interview by Chris Berry, CHS Vice President

10:15 - 10:30 A.M. Morning Break

10:30 - 11:30 A.M. Big Top Brainteasers Circus History Trivia Contest, Hosted by Betsy Golden Kellem with commentary by Maureen Brunsdale, Fred Pfening III, and Chris Berry, and participation by all attendees

11:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Break (Banquet setup)

12:00 - 2:00 P.M. Annual Banquet, featuring Growing up Kelly by Stasia Kelly, Convention Chair & CHS Trustee and Monika Kelly

2:00 - 2:15 P.M. Break (Banquet cleanup)

2:15 - 2:30 P.M. Awarding of the 2024 Thayer Prize, Bruce Hawley, CHS President

2:30 - 3:00 P.M. The Heartbeat of the Circus: Music as a Critical Element of Circus, Don Covington, CHS Member

3:00 - 3:15 P.M. Group photo

3:15 - 3:45 P.M. Travel to Emory University

3:45 - 6:00 P.M. Visit to Rose Library at Emory University

Tuesday Evening Free time: dinner on your own, relaxation, and socializing with friends.