Circus City USA Hugo, Oklahoma Carson & Barnes ~ Kelly - Miller ~Culpepper-Merryweather
There are some very unique things about a little town in Choctaw County Southeast Oklahoma that you may not know. I say, "a little town"... I guess that depends upon how you define "little". Hugo, Oklahoma 74743 has a population of about 5400 follks.
Hugo Oklahoma is the wintering grounds for three circuses, The Carson and Barnes Circus , The Kelly-Miller Circus, and the Culpepper-Merryweather Circus. When the circus season winds down and it's time to head home, these three nationally famous circuses head for home - Hugo, Oklahoma.
Hugo Oklahoma has been a circus wintering ground since 1942 where anywhere from 1 to 5 circuses have spent the off season there since that year. It is a pretty common site to drive past their grounds in the winter and see them taking care of an elephant or some other animal.
Hugo has even reserved part of the city's Mt. Olivet cemetery for public performers, mostly circus performers but also there are some famous rodeo personalities buried there. .Circus founder D. R. Miller and rodeo champion bull-riders Freckles Brown, Lane Frost, and Todd Whatley are all buried in that section of Mt. Olivet cemetery.
The city cemetery has become a morning walking track for many people in Hugo.
The paved walkway through the cemetery goes past interesting tombstones that resemble elephants and other circus symbols.
There is a ton of interesting circus history on the Circus History site including how the Carson & Barnes circus got it's name. It seems that Dory Miller made the name up after his circus suffered some major set-backs.. No Mr. Carson... no Mr. Barnes...
The three circuses that winter in Hugo, Oklahoma 74743, head out in March of each year to make their annual performance rounds.
There will be performances this week-end in both Hugo and in Idabel. Come on out to the Hugo Agriplex tomorrow, Saturday, April 2 at either 2 pm or 5:30 pm.. OR Idabel McCurtain County Fairgrounds on Sunday at 2 pm or 5 pm.
The Circus is Coming To Town!
This blog post was originally posted at Integrity Real Estate Services Blog.
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Judi - This looks way to fun ... most of the circus shows around here are not as dramatic!
Wow! That is very interesting, Judi! I love to go to a circus in a small town. Its much more exciting than in a BIG town. There's something intimate about the small town setting, no matter whether its a circus or a visit to the local cafe. I wish I could go!!
Judi, circus is always so much fun. Also, Hugo sounds like a wonderful community. I believe living in a smaller town has so many advantages. The friendships you make, I believe, last forever. Have fun at the show.
Judi - They were just here last weekend. My son absolutely enjoyed it.
I have always been fascinated by the circus. I thoroughly enjoyed your post Judi, especially the interesting history you wove into this post. Nicely done.
I remember being a small child, and my parents couldn't afford to take the four kids to the circus. We were so sad that my Dad took us to watch the circus arrive. We spent the day watching the trucks unload the animals, and the tents go up. It was more fun than the show!
Great post love the pictures! The last time we saw the circus it was Ringling Brothers and they have several rings going at once so it is hard to see everything. But I have always loved the circus.
Judi I love the circus, but I would hate to have the job of those guys that follow the elephants around the ring :)
Judi, The circus is always so much fun. I never thought about where the circuses would winter so this is really interesting.
We've actually seen their performance. It's great!!! Thanks for reminding what a great time I had with family.
I haven't seen a circus in many years, and you get 3. And I bet they are sold out.