By Melinda Hartline
The Circus Ring of Fame Foundation announced new dates and location for the annual induction ceremony. The ceremony normally scheduled for mid-January 2021 will be moved to the Circus Sarasota Tent at Nathan Benderson Park and take place February 5th at 4:30 pm. The rescheduled date and location will allow for a climate controlled theatrical environment.
“During the past year the foundation board discussed how to expand and improve the quality of the live
pictures on the beach
The plaques will still permanently reside on St. Armands Circle.
The 2022 Circus Ring of Fame inductees are:
1. Galaxy Girl, Tina Winn – Seventh generation extreme aerialist who performs dazzling gymnastic routines at heights of up to 130 feet in the air. Tina Winn has been performing for multiple decades and began her training in the circus art as a child with her family.
2. Nik Wallenda, King of the High Wire has crisscrossed the globe with never-before-seen death-defying acts. As a direct descendent of the original Wallenda troupe headed by patriarch Karl Wallenda, Nik carries on multiple decades of family tradition of spectacular aerial artistry and death-defying thrills.
3. George Carden – Prominent multi-decade circus producer headquartered in Missouri who has raised millions of dollars for charitable causes through the work of his circus and sponsoring organizations.
4. Willie Edelston – As the 1941 National YMCA Ring Champion, Willie Edelston had a love for performing. He signed with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus as a trapeze artist and continued this work for multiple decades on numerous shows. For more than 50 years, Willie volunteered at the Sailor Circus. Hundreds of students have benefited from his coaching. He taught flying trapeze, rings, tumbling, and hand-balancing.
5. The Richter/Casselly Families – Two of Europe’s premiere multi-generational circus families are best known for their incredible artistic productions. The Richter/Casselly families began performing as young children. They have won multiple awards at the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival, Budapest Circus Festival and many others.
6. The Advance Professionals – A first ever class induction honoring the group responsible for the business of the show. Within the group, four areas of expertise are being honored: tour booking, press relations, promotion, and creative advertising.
Limited admission tickets are available on Eventbrite by
The new inductees to the Circus Ring of Fame will join the 150 honored since 1987. All of those recognized have made a significant contribution to the art and culture of the circus. Updates on the ceremony will be posted on the website and social media.
Melinda Hartline is President and Chief Communications Officer for Hartline Communications in Tampa, Florida.
Pictured: Michael Naughton and Heidi Herriott will co-host the 2022 Circus Ring of Fame Foundation induction ceremony.
