Circus is a theater of mind-boggling feats, elephants thundering around rings, horses dancing, clowns cavorting and sequined costumes glittering under the bright lights. The circus calls out to the child in each of us.

Sarasota evolved with the circus, ever since "The Greatest Show on Earth" began wintering on our shores back in 1927.

The Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus rolled into town attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and making Sarasota the number one tourist attraction in Florida.

It is rumored that John Ringling won Sarasota's Bird Key and St. Armands Key in a poker game. Despite the myths, Ringling wasn't clowning around when it came to his vision for Sarasota, which was then just a quiet fishing and farming village.

In 1924, he designed a shopping area encompassed by a multi-million dollar neighborhood. Statues purchased in Italy were placed along the boulevards and hundreds of coconut palms and Australian pines joined them. Two years later, he built a causeway to link St. Armands to the mainland with the help of giant circus elephants. The Great Depression halted his progress, however, and Ringling died in 1936 without realizing his dream. St. Armands slept for nearly 20 years until several courageous investors once again resumed business on the key.

We now know this place as our beloved St. Armands Circle. The area is internationally known as a world-class shopping, dining and entertainment mecca. There is even a circus "Ring of Fame" in the center of St. Armands Circle, added in memory of Ringling's love for the circus. Bronze plaques honor a selection of circus greats, including master clown Lou Jacobs, the aerialist Wallenda troupe and bandmaster Merle Evans, with four circus greats added every year.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is the remarkable legacy of the circus entrepreneur, art collector and financier who endowed the State of Florida with a rich cultural future.

As a part of Florida State University, the 66-acre estate complex--comprised of the Museum of Art, the Circus Museum, the Tibbals Learning Center, the Historic Asolo Theater and Cà d'Zan mansion overlooking Sarasota Bay--is the state art museum of Florida for good reason.

The Ringlings constructed the splendid Venetian Gothic mansion Cà d'Zan (House of John) between 1924 and 1926. Restored to its original splendor in 2002, the Ringling winter residence lets visitors reflect on the Ringlings' passion for opulence and the flamboyant lifestyle they once enjoyed.

When the mansion was finished, Ringling built the Museum of Art to house a treasure trove of European paintings and art objects he collected. Built in the style of an Italian villa, this fine art museum includes paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck and other Baroque masters, along with a courtyard filled with bronze replicas of Greek and Roman sculptures, including a bronze cast of Michelangelo's "David," later adopted as the symbol of the City of Sarasota. Today, galleries rotate a variety of special exhibitions and the museum offers educational opportunities and exciting events.

To honor Ringling's career, the Circus Museum was added in 1948, twelve years after his death. It was the first museum of its kind to document the rich history of the circus in the United States. Like the circus, the museum delights children of all ages with its fine collection of rare handbills and prints, wardrobe and props and all types of equipment, including hand-carved parade wagons. The museum was later modernized with a sleek Visitors Pavilion and the Tibbals Learning Center, which features an intricately detailed miniature circus.

The circus moved its Winter Quarters to Venice in 1960 and remained until 1991.

A Circus Town

All of the circuses in the country have ties to Sarasota and many are based here, including the famous Royal Hanneford Circus (941-922-4358), "the oldest name in circus," which originated in England in 1608. It is the largest circus in Sarasota and the second largest touring circus in the country, with as many as four units at a time on the road. See a full complement of performances - everything you imagine a circus to be - at Robarts Arena; the Royal Hanneford Circus performs every April or May for the Shriners.

Walker Brothers Circus (941-922-8387), a one-ring European-style circus under the big top, is also based in Sarasota and travels for ten months - with its clowns, jugglers and other performers, as well as trained animals and midways. Kids can arrive early to learn more about the circus, which returns to Sarasota late October and holds a closing performance at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. Walker Brothers is family owned, operated and oriented. Showfolks of Sarasota (941-359-2542), holds a benefit circus every year at Robarts Sports Arena. The organization is primarily made up of circus performers, many of whom are truly legendary.

Cirque de Today

The magic lives on at Circus Sarasota, where world-renowned superstars amaze the young and young-at-heart. Founded in 1997, the one-ring, five-star international circus is committed to continuing the Ringling legacy, not only through thrilling performances under the big top, but also through special events and classes. Circus Sarasota performs for one month, usually in February.

Sarasota may be the only place in the world where children are the stars of a professional caliber circus, the Sarasota Sailors Circus (941-361-6350). Founded in 1949 as a special program of Sarasota High School, younger children are now included, as well.

There are many ways to take part in the circus tradition of Sarasota. Come celebrate our rich history with us!