By Staff
UNDER THE BIG TOP – Tightrope walkers with the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus entertain an almost sold-out crowd Saturday. The traveling circus under the big top will have shows at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. today at Bonita Lakes Mall. PHOTO by carisa mccain / The Meridian Star
By William F. West / community editor
October 20, 2002
Candy Bradford held her 2-year-old son Jacob so he could get a good look Saturday as workers set up the big top for the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus.
The DeLand, Fla.-based circus set up its tents in the back parking lot of the Bonita Lakes Mall for two shows Saturday and two shows today the second year the circus has visited Meridian.
Performances are set for 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. today. Ticket prices range from $9 to $22 depending on age, seat location and the time of purchase.
James F. Maresca, marketing director for Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros Circus, said about 165 workers were involved in setting up the circus tent which can hold up to 3,000 people.
Maresca, 54, originally from Jersey City, N.J., has bachelor's and master's degrees in marketing.
But he wears different hats and even noses, because he also does some promotional clowning. He's also a chiropractor who treats circus performers because of their physical demands.
One of those Maresca treats is Clayton Rosaire, 22, who is responsible for training three lions and three tigers. Rosaire said being with the circus has been a way of life for him.
Members of the circus team come from all walks of life and speak different languages.
Giologio Casalino, 33, a native of Chile, his wife, Isabella, and four cousins comprise a team of circus clowns. He said the best thing about being a clown is seeing the smiles on people's faces.
Casolino is not an American citizen yet, but he said he hopes to be in the future.
Asked what he likes about the U.S., he said: "You can be a clown and make a decent living."