Petersburg, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – It’s time to clown around with Petersburg, as the Menard County Tourism Council is putting on “Circus Days” this coming Friday and Saturday.

Sam Tawzer, from the Menard County Tourism Council stopped by the WTAX Morning Newswatch to discuss the history of Petersburg being well known in the circus community.

“The late 1800s, early 1900s. It all started with this guy Harry Lamkin, who, at 13 years old, ran away with the circus. But then when he came back, he did something interesting. He realized there was this need for circus performers to practice and work on their acts during the winter. These act performers came, and so, at one point, there was over a hundred different circus performers wintering in Petersburg, and then, in spring, they would audition for like Barnum and Bailey and Ringling Brothers, and then they go off and do their thing.

“They started putting on these winter circuses,” said Tawzer. “There was a second ring barn built by Harry’s half-brother, who was 10 years younger than him, and it had seating for over 200 people, and at the time, I believe it was one of only three winter circuses in America. So, Petersburg was well known in the circus community during this time because there weren’t many places to go in the winter.”

What’s the goal at The Menard County Tourism Council with this?

“Our goal at the Menard County Tourism Council was to do something, give back to the community, because I think, you know, these aren’t greatest of times right now. So, it’s like we want to do something that’s basically a free event for the community to come out and just have fun and enjoy themselves, but at the same time, preserve the history, educate the future generations about this super fun thing!”