Posted 9/11/2004 4:40:02 PM by Ed Limbach
Interview from Web Site Editors viewed 711 times
Saturday, September 11, 2004 - Rutherford, New Jersey
The Editors of the CFA Web Site recently interviewed Frank Robie
The Editors of the CFA Web Site Interview With Frank Robie Circus Historian and Fan for Over 50 YearsFrank, when did you first become interested in the circus as a bobby? I have always been a collector of circus memorabilia even as a child of five. Where I lived in upper New Hampshire circus day was a big thing-fact is it was almost better than Christmas. The first poster I started my collection with was a 1938 Downie Bros. Circus poster. Do you remember the first circus you ever attended? I don’t remember my 1st circus. I believe it was either Downie Bros. or Hunt Bros. What changes have you seen take place in the circus industry during your lifetime? The period noted I now call the "Eclipse". We have lost really everything we so much enjoyed from 1920 to date: no parade, no side show, no menagerie tent, no pre show concert, no circus music of the Merle Evens type, and no after show or wild west show as it was called. The clowns were funnier too. I liked the rag bag type.
How long have you been a member of Circus Fans Association of America? I have been a member of Circus Fans Association of America for over 50 years. Frank, that is a long time. Do you think you might be the longest living member in the Association? No, my membership number is 2322-there are older members but I might add only 52 older membership numbers than mine. We know that you have been active in the organization, do you recall how many positions you have held in the Association? Well, I hesitate to list them because I will probably forget one but yes, I have been a co-founder of a tent (Bird Millman), Tent President, State Chairman, District Director, Vice President of CFA, President of CFA, and served on Juris Prudence Committee and I have chaired three conventions. That is an impressive record and provides institutional memory for the Circus Fans Association. Can you tell us what your most rewarding experience in CFA has been? Well, that is a tough question to answer. I guess at my age I get satisfaction meeting and knowing old time members and presidents. I will say that I did enjoy preventing redistricting of CFA, that would break up The CFA US divisions. We hear concerns as to whether CFA can last. What is your opinion? I hate to say it but I believe the CFA will probably not last. Our age group of members is against us. Today’s children have too many distractions and circus isn’t what it used to be. If you were running CFA what would be your plan to revive the organization? I would launch a full-scale publicity group. We need articles in Readers Digest, AARP Magazine, Parade, etc. What do you see as the future for the American tented circus? Is it going to survive? I believe that the tented circus will survive but the future will find smaller one-ring circuses not the massive three ring shows of the past. Is there anything else you would like to add to this interview? Yes, I have learned over the years that every Tent or Top has and must have a spark plug or several to survive. I don’t care for 50/50 auctions and I think they should be done away with. A tea cup auction gives a Tent or Top every dime it takes in. Tent meetings should be simple socials with coffee and cake and limit door prizes, which should not be paid out of the pocket of the host or the President of the Tent or Top. Frank, the editors of the CFA Web Site thank you for your time and appreciate your views on the circus and CFA.
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