Circus Ring of Fame Foundation® Announces
Class of 2023 Inductees and Awards Ceremony Date
Sarasota, Florida – September 26, 2022. The Circus Ring of Fame Foundation® announced today the inductees for the class of 2023. The ceremony will take place February 4, 2023, in the Circus Sarasota Big Top located at Nathan Benderson Park Regatta Center.
“After a worldwide positive response to the 2022 awards ceremony, the foundation received a large influx of candidate submissions for the upcoming year,” said Bill Powell, chair of the foundation. After review by the nominating committee, the top 10 were voted on by a global audience of artists, industry professionals and support organizations.
The 2023 Circus Ring of Fame® inductees are:
1. Peggy Williams – Peggy Williams’ contributions to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and the circus industry literally made history. In 1970, she became the first female graduate of Clown College to perform in The Greatest Show On Earth. In 1980, she was the company’s first female performance director. Peggy also worked to create Ringling’s Department of Educational Services. Under her leadership, Circusworks was created and gained national attention and was taught in classrooms nationwide.
2. The Alexis Brothers – Marco and Paulo Lorador have performed their artistic hand balancing to millions of fans worldwide including the late Queen Elizabeth and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The Alexis Brothers have been featured in The Greatest Show On Earth and Cirque du Soleil where they headlined the Mystère show at Treasure Island Resort for 25 years!
3. Jeanette Williams – Jeanette comes from Germany’s famous Circus Williams family. She performed with liberty horses and assorted animals in Europe and in the USA with Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey. Jeanette later owned her own show in America and became a prominent agent for circus arts talent.
4. Father Jerry Hogan – Father Hogan, a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston for 46 years, served for three decades as the national “Circus Chaplain” under the direction of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Father Jerry was frequently on the road ministering to different circus troupes and performers. He was a fixture in the circus community, presiding over weddings, baptisms, memorial services and counseling his large flock. Father Jerry was loved by many and is the first man of faith to be inducted into the Circus Ring of Fame.
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.
About the Circus Ring of Fame Foundation® – The Circus Ring of Fame Foundation® is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the core purpose of recognizing the highest of achievement in circus arts and culture.
Social page: https://www.facebook.com/circusringoffame
Website: www.circusringoffame.org
For more information, please contact:
Melinda Hartline, HARTLINE Communications at 813-494-7768 or melinda@hartlinecommunications.com