Posted 1/18/2004 2:22:44 AM by Editor
News from Editor viewed 3852 times
Sunday, January 18, 2004 - Sarasota, FL
Charlie Smith, namesake of the Charlie Smith CFA Tent 131 was honored at the 17th Annual Circus Ring of Fame Induction on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, Florida on January 17. 2004.
Charlie Smith, namesake of the Charlie Smith CFA Tent 131 was honored at the 17th Annual Circus Ring of Fame Induction on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, Florida on January 17. 2004. Charlie was inducted along with circus greats Arthur M. Concello; Arthur, Alexander & Dorita Konyot; and Galla Shawn.
Tim Holan, Red Unit Circus Trainmaster on the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was the first speaker. Tim told the crowd the history of Charlie’s 70+ years in the business in capacities such as knife thrower, showman, pie car operator, canvas boss, trainmaster, transportation superintendent and too many more careers to list.
John Harriott next takes the podium to talk about Charlie the person, and the wonderful way Charlie had touched so many lives along the way.
Tom Dillon, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Superintendent of Rail Operations talked about the legacy Charlie had left and how Charlie had shaped circus operations, with many of the innovations Charlie came up with still in use today. He read a letter from the Circus Fans of America recognizing the honor bestowed on Charlie.
Finally, Peggy Williams, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey read a letter of congratulations from Kenneth Feld.
Jackie LeClair, Master of Ceremonies then presented Charlie with his medal and shadowbox.
Charlie expressed his thanks, and the speeches were over.
There were opportunities for a few photos, then it was off to the unveiling of the permanent monument located on the north side of St. Armands Circle.
Jackie LeClair blew the whisle, and all the monuments were unveiled.
Kitty and Charlie pose behind the new monument to a career of over 70 years in the business.
The Circus Fans of America and the Charlie Smith Tent extend our congratulations on this honor and tribute to a great guy and life long trouper.
Circus Fans Association of America
Cheryl Deptula
Executive Secretary/Treasurer
2704 Marshall Avenue
Lorain, OH 44052
January 17, 2004
Dear Charlie:
As the circus community honors you today into the Ring of Fame at St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, Florida, we the members of some 2,800 strong Circus Fans Association of America would also like to send our Best Wishes and Congratulations on your very special induction/award. You kept the Greatest Show On Earth moving and on schedule for many, many years.
CFA honored you with your own Tent back on February 28, 1977 in Aurora, Illinois and it continues to be one of the most active Tents in CFA. We knew back then that you were a great man to honor.
Our thanks also to Kitty for all of these years that she stood behind you and offered you the much-needed support as you traveled from Coast to Coast. You never let the train sit and get rusty. It was always on to a new town as you kept the excitement for circus fans awaiting the arrival of the circus train in their city.
I wish that I could be there in person to congratulate you during this celebration. On behalf of the Circus Fans Association of America we wish you many happy, healthy New Year’s and may all your days be circus days.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Deptula
Executive Secretary/Treasurer
Circus Fans Association of America
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