The golden age of circuses is often cited as beginning in 1872, when the growth and expansion allowed circuses to move their tents, animals and people over greater distances with ease.  When the circus came into town, it was one of the only forms of entertainment that offered an escape for the hard work of farmers in the fields.  Entire families would converge on a town to see witness the procession as it left the railroad station and marched to the parade grounds.  The big top was the biggest event of the year, and this episode explores some of that wonderful and sometimes tragic history in Southwest Michigan.

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