Normally when a circus comes to town, you would find me as far away as possible. Sure, I went to the Ringling Brothers show as a kid when they came to town (if my family could afford it), but as an adult my views changed.
The Zoppe Family Circus though was different. No animals. No big production. Only a family tradition for the last 175 years that has been passed down as they travel to small towns around the world entertaining the young as well as the young at heart.
It was a beautiful January day, the first full weekend of 2020 as I walk towards the big top canvas. A small crowd has gathered in front of the entrance for pre-show entertainment. One can not help but think about the coronavirus in retrospect. Yet no one knew, or at least thought about the virus as any real threat.
The afternoon is full of old world style circus acts that leave a continual grin on my face. I look back upon this time now as an ancient memory. I constantly hear that things will go back to normal, but I’m not so sure.
The images captured have new meaning to me. Simpler times, even though it was only six months ago. It feels like this may be the last time that gathering like this will be permitted, or that people would even take the chance to attend.
So much loss all around these days.
