By Linda Elissalde
I remember when the circus came to Beaumont. My dad took my best friend Ronda and me each year. She loved cotton candy, and I gulped down hot dogs. We sat up high in bleachers to clap for our favorites and cover our eyes when the acrobats swung from the tent tops. It was magical.
A lot of time has passed since those halcyon days of youth. I did enjoy seeing bears set up circus equipment when I visited Russia in 1971. Since then the thought of going to a circus has never been my top priority. However, I noticed a lot of folk lined up outside a single circus tent on Galveston’s Stewart Beach during March of this year. The Zoppe Family Circus with a 500 seating capacity had arrived. So I GOOGLED it. What a fascinating history! Perhaps Marcel and I should pay a visit.
We purchased VIP tickets for a 1:00 PM performance. Attendees arrive at 12:30 for an introduction by Giovanni Zoppe. He is the son of Alberto Zoppe who brought the circus to America. Giovanni presented all of his circus “family” who came from many countries. We entered the circus tent. Our chairs were on the front row.
Was it worth it? You bet! Children were definitely captivated and caught up in the magic. Mr. Zoppe served as clown and story teller. The acts were amazing. Acrobats, tight rope walkers, riders doing flips on horse back, balancing acts, juggling groups, and on and on and on. Not only were children caught up in the magic. We were also. In fact, it is a bit like becoming a child again.
The Zoppes and performers received a standing ovation when they lined up to say farewell. I asked Giovanni if they would come back to Galveston next year, and he assured me they would return. Yea! I just cannot wait for that mystical time again – WHEN THE CIRCUS COMES BACK TO TOWN!
Bill and Lanette
April 8, 2025 at 9:35 amWe went and had a good time. It was better than we expected.