Growing Up Under the Big Top

with Sonja Barta

🎪 Did you know that Sheboygan was once home to circuses and circus performers? Come hear what it was like to grow up under the big top from former circus performer Sonja Barta on Tuesday, April 19 at 6:30pm! This event is free and open to the public in celebration of World Circus Day. And as a special bonus, her friend Hiccup the Clown will join us to welcome guests and “warm up the crowd” starting at 6pm!

Sonja has a rich history and connection to the circus life. Her grandfather owned Sheboygan’s Seils-Sterling Circus. Her father was “the man on the flying trapeze.” And, at age six, Sonja began performing in elephant and aerial acts. Her circus career ended at age sixteen, when she fell down a flight of stairs and injured her back. She began working for the Sheboygan County Historical Museum in 1989 and for 10 years helped to coordinate the Circus Exhibit. This included helping to acquire the barn-sized circus poster for the Museum’s collection after it was discovered during the demolition of a building in Michigan.

You won’t want to miss this exciting evening as we “run away to join the circus” vicariously through Sonja’s stories and pictures!

Not able to attend in person?  A recording of the presentation will be available after the program at the Museum’s YouTube page.  Additionally, a livestream will be available at https://youtu.be/H9uZG_ADnKM