Why is Bradenton-Sarasota called the ‘circus capital of the world?’ See vintage photos

Clinton Engelberger
·1 min read

Dubbed “The Greatest Show on Earth,” the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was a force to be reckoned with when the two acts merged in 1919.

Sarasota became the winter quarters for the Ringling Circus in 1927, which began to cement the area’s nickname as the “circus capital of the world,” according to the Visit Sarasota County tourism agency.

The Ringling Circus paved the way for other acts in Sarasota, like the Sailor Circus Academy, which originated as a gymnastics class at Sarasota High School in 1949. The youth circus, currently featuring students ages 8 to 18, even received approval in 1952 from the Ringling Circus to use the slogan “The Greatest ‘Little’ Show on Earth.”

The local circus industry has transformed over the decades – eventually leading to the Ringling Circus’ closure in 2017. Audiences didn’t have to mourn the loss of the show for long, as it was announced in 2022 that the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will return this fall.

The new show will reportedly remove all animal acts. This lines up with the circus’ 2016 decision to stop its use of elephants in the show, following both protests from animal rights activists and recognizing the need to keep up with a modern audience.

The Sailor Circus Academy, however, is still performing. It is the longest-running youth circus act in the U.S.

As both shows find new ways to modernize their acts for changing audience interest, step right up to see how they fared in their early years with these historic photos.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey

Exterior of the big top for the Ringling Bros./Barnum & Bailey in 1921.
Exterior of the big top for the Ringling Bros./Barnum & Bailey in 1921.

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Performance rehearsals in 1977 for the Ringling Bros./Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Performance rehearsals in 1977 for the Ringling Bros./Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Aerialist Josephine Berosini performs on a bicycle on the high wire in 1954.
Aerialist Josephine Berosini performs on a bicycle on the high wire in 1954.
A performer standing on an elephant leads the around-the-ring parade at the circus in Venice.
A performer standing on an elephant leads the around-the-ring parade at the circus in Venice.
Children and adults dance and perform in the ring for a large crowd in 1976.
Children and adults dance and perform in the ring for a large crowd in 1976.
A man dressed in sparkled garments performs an equestrian act.
A man dressed in sparkled garments performs an equestrian act.
A 1950s photo of a sideshow sword swallower.
A 1950s photo of a sideshow sword swallower.
Two lines of working elephants walking side-by-side on a brick sidewalk in a rail yard in the 1940s. Onlookers are gathered around.
Two lines of working elephants walking side-by-side on a brick sidewalk in a rail yard in the 1940s. Onlookers are gathered around.

Sailor Circus Academy

Aerialists perform at a Sailor Circus Academy showcase. The academy is a circus arts training program for 4th-12th grade students operated by The Circus Arts Conservatory of Sarasota.
Aerialists perform at a Sailor Circus Academy showcase. The academy is a circus arts training program for 4th-12th grade students operated by The Circus Arts Conservatory of Sarasota.
A person performs for a crowd during the DeSoto Celebration.
A person performs for a crowd during the DeSoto Celebration.
Performers from the Sailor Circus execute an aerial act in 1977.
Performers from the Sailor Circus execute an aerial act in 1977.
Acrobats from the Sarasota Sailor Circus perform during the DeSoto Celebration in 1969.
Acrobats from the Sarasota Sailor Circus perform during the DeSoto Celebration in 1969.
A woman performs with a pony during an act for the Sarasota High School’s Sailor Circus in 1977.
A woman performs with a pony during an act for the Sarasota High School’s Sailor Circus in 1977.
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