It was a circus, all right—a real one. Allread, the sixth of seven kids, was born (along with twin Perry) in 1952 “on his grandfather’s Red Bluff, California, sheep ranch amidst his parents’ Great Pan-American Zoological Exhibit’s wild animal menagerie….”
The story is told in “Backyard Circus: The Life And Times Of Grace Jr. And Arvel Victor Allread” ($32.99 in paperback from Memoir Books), replete with historical photographs.
Grace and Arvel took their children to any passing circus within 200 miles and toured with a circus of their own. In 1950, their Robinson Bros. Circus wagon debuted in Greenville “with Susie, their new Indian elephant,” or, as the local newspaper put it, “Susie, a ponderous performing pachyderm of prestigious repute, accompanied by Tiny, the prancing Pinto Pony….”
In 1953 “the Clyde Beatty Circus returned to play Chico on the grassy Hann Field lot at 5th Street and Oak. Arvel got to sit in with the band while Grace and the kids played in the backyard.” Musician Arvel became a music teacher, directing “high school programs at Hamilton City, Orland, and Willows, and taught at Princeton in Colusa County.”
In the mid-50s the family settled in Chico at 1430 Bidwell Avenue, a venue “where they could relocate their circus wagons, the rest of the Great American Zoological Exhibit’s equipment, and animals. They could put up the Main Tent” and even install a “makeshift ring.”
As a kid, Arvel wanted to join the circus. The book is a fitting tribute to that dream.
The public is invited to the following book signings:
- Tehama County Museum, 275 C Street in Tehama, on Saturday, September 12 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
- Chico Chai House, 1441 Park Avenue, Sunday, September 27 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
- Chico History Museum, 141 Salem Street, Saturday, November 14 from 10:00 AM till Noon.
