Posted 9/15/2007 8:24:29 AM by Editor
News from Gary C. Payne viewed 591 times
Saturday, September 15, 2007 - Plainville (Near Hartford) CT
How often does this happen?
Joey Kelly, grand son of the late Emmett Kelly Sr., will be the keynote speaker at the 70th Annual Reunion Banquet of the CFA Tent No. 24, the Bluch Landolf and Fr. Jack Toner Tent.
The big bash kicks off at noon on Sunday, October 14, at longtime venue J. Timothy's Taverne, Plainville, CT, 143 New Britain Avenue. Cash bar at noon is followed by a plated dinner at 1pm. "I have always been around the circus. I grew up in the "Circus City" of Peru, Indiana where some of the grand ole circuses of yesteryear as well as those who performed in them winter-wuartered and lived....", said Kelly. Kelly will speak of his circus involvment and that of his late fatehr and grandfather and other relatives. Kelly will appear in his own costume and character and give a short performance. An opportunity for questions will follow. Press will be invited. The Banquet celebrates 70 years of circus "Fandom", Tent 24 being one of the oldest. William R. Brinley, 90, will be present with his family, senior member of the Tent! Banquet organizers are planning for an attendance of 80, a capacity crowd. Also attending, National CFA President Pete Adams and his wife, and Eastern VP, Maxine House. A silent auction, photo collage, and poster exhibit round out the days activitys. There will be Fr. Jack Toner items in the auction for the last time. "Joey Kelly is a unique speaker, one we don't hear from a lot. I think this is a very big opportunity. I know I am looking forward to it because I got to meet Emmett Kelly Sr. at a Sarasota Circus Celebrity Event. The late John Hurdle invited me to attend with my parents when I was a teenager. I never forgot how elegant that occasion was, nor how nice Emmett and the circus people were.", said Gary Payne who usually organizes the speakers for Tent 24. "Don't let your friends tell you about this history in the making, be there yourself to hear it." For directions or invitations and dinner selections Call Jane Kycia @ 860-296-2684 Being a banquet, we must pay in advance for all dinners.
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