2026 Circus historical society convention PROGRAM

10:00 - 10:30 A.M. CHS Board of Trustees Meeting (Trustees only)

11:15 A.M. - Noon First of May "Dukey Box" Lunch with Trustees (Invitees only)

Noon - 5:30 P.M. Registration Desk and Sales & Silent Auction Tables Open Ringling & Moeller Rooms - Baraboo Arts Banquet & Convention Center (Note: Doors will not open until noon)

1:00 - 1:15 P.M. Welcome from Convention Co-Chairs CHS Trustees Brian Hollifield & Patrick Bracy

1:15 - 1:30 P.M. President's Remarks, Introduction of CHS Trustees, and Recognition of High Tenure Members Bruce Hawley, CHS President

1:30 - 2:15 P.M. Opening Keynote Dolly Jacobs with introduction by CHS President Bruce Hawley

2:15 - 2:45 P.M. Lost Ringlingville: A New Look at the Ringling Bros. Winter Quarters Pete Shrake

2:45 - 3:00 P.M. Afternoon Break Coffee, water, snacks in Moeller Room

3:00 - 3:30 P.M. Vaudeville and Circus: A great combination for early 20th Century performers Jo-Ann Jennier

3:30 - 4:00 P.M. Bridgeport: The Birthplace of The Greatest Show on Earth Joseph Barney

4:00 - 5:00 P.M. Circus History Research Panel Brian Hollifield (moderator), Jennifer Cronk, Aíne Norris, Amelia Osterud, and Pete Shrake

5:00 - 5:05 P.M. End of Session Announcements Patrick Bracy

5:05 - 5:30 P.M. Break Attendees move to Moeller Room for catering set-up in Ringling Room

5:30 - 7:30 P.M. Opening Reception

8:00 A.M. - Noon Registration Desk and Sales & Silent Auction Tables Open Ringling & Moeller Rooms

8:30 - 8:45 A.M. Morning Announcements Brian Hollifield

8:45 - 9:30 A.M. Big Apple Circus: Piece by Piece, Putting It Together Paul Binder and Steve Smith

9:30 - 10:00 A.M. Patty and her Bees: The Story of Patty Astley, the First Lady of the Circus Vanessa Toulmin

10:00 - 10:15 A.M. Morning Break Coffee, water, snacks in Moeller Room

10:15 - 10:45 A.M. On and Off the Bandwagon: History and Impact of American Circus Bands, 1880-1944 Jane Cohen, 2026 CHS Student Prize Winner with introduction and award presentation by CHS Trustee Aíne Norris

10:45 - 11:15 A.M. Wildcatting Radical Circus History; or Adventures in Retirement Fred Dahlinger

11:15 - 11:30 A.M. Update on Ringling Swan Bandwagon Restoration at Circus World John Lloyd

11:30 - 11:35 A.M. End of Session Announcements Patrick Bracy

11:35 A.M. - Noon Walk to Circus World Attendees have multiple options for afternoon activities. Please see activities / times below:

Noon - 4:00 P.M. Circus World Visit exhibits and eat lunch on your own at Circus World

12:15 - 1:15 P.M. Guided Wagon Tour With Steve Smith, Deppe Wagon Pavilion

1:30 - 2:00 P.M. Class Clown! Show With Steve Smith, Feld Theatre

2:00 - 2:45 P.M. Jubilee 250! Big Top Show Circus World Big Top

4:30 - 5:30 P.M. Band Organ Presentation and Concert at Organ Hall Directions to be provided

5:30 - 7:00 P.M. Dinner on Your Own

7:00 - 8:00 P.M. Circus Band Concert Baraboo Square

8:00 - 9:00 P.M. Visit International Clown Hall of Fame 102 4th Ave, Baraboo

8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Registration Desk and Sales & Silent Auction Tables Open Ringling & Moeller Rooms

9:00 - 9:15 A.M. Morning Announcements Brian Hollifield

9:15 - 9:30 A.M. Annual Report to Membership Bruce Hawley

9:30 - 10:15 A.M. To the Hilt: A Sword Swallower's History of Sword Swallowing Dan Meyer and Marc Hartzman

10:15 - 10:30 A.M. Morning Break Coffee, water, snacks in Moeller Room

10:30 - 11:00 A.M. Women of the American Circus: Feminity, Power, and Agency at the Turn of the Century Amanda Dent

11:00 - 11:30 A.M. Heaven like a Tent: 19th Century Writers & Circus David Carlyon

11:30 A.M. - Noon The Greatest New Deal Show on Earth: The Federal Theater Project Circus Betsy Golden Kellem

Noon Silent Action Closing Announcement Brian Hollifield

Noon - 2:00 P.M. Lunch on Your Own

2:00 - 2:45 P.M. The 388 Tattoos of Captain George - and the 398 Tales of How He Got Them Amelia Osterud and Fritz Grobe

2:45 - 3:15 P.M. The Return of the Prodigal Sons: Baraboo and the Golden Jubilee Chris Berry

3:15 - 3:45 P.M. A Topography of Wonder: The Traveling Circus in the 19th Century Jennifer Lemer Posey

3:45 - 4:00 P.M. Convention Group Photo Ringling Room

4:00 P.M. Close Sales and Author Signing Tables

4:00 - 4:15 P.M. Closing Remarks & Administrative Announcements Brian Hollifield & Patrick Bracy

4:15 - 4:30 P.M. Break Attendees move to Moeller Room for set-up of catering in Ringling Room

4:30 - 6:00 P.M. Cash Bar Cocktail Hour Ringling Room

5:00 - 6:30 P.M. Annual Banquet Awarding of Thayer Prize and ICHOF Induction of Jerry Bangs, Ringling Room

6:30 - 7:00 P.M. Break General public admitted for auction preview and auction

7:00 - 9:00 P.M. Annual Auction Moeller Room