I'm going to the dogs...sort of.

Although I'm not a fan, or supporter, of the circus, I am attending a very special one this weekend. It's a flea circus! This was something i thought was only a myth but, it turns out, is real. They're not all that anymore, so I was surpised to find out that one was coming to my area. I decided I had to take this rare opportunity to attend.

Whether or not you enjoy a circus, you do have to admire the miniature art, and craftsmanship, that goes into making up a flea circus. There is definitely that WOW! fctor. Did you know that a flea, with legs as fine as a stand of human hair, can pull 700 times its own weight? And a flea can jump 150 times its own height. For a jumper like me, I find this fact amazing! Here's an interesting fact; a human flea is easier to train than one found on your average dog or cat. But, thank goodness, human fleas are much harder to find. For a flea, every performance can be their last, so they do give it their 100%. 

• Fleas can live for about a year.
• It takes 6 months for a flea to mature enough to be trained.
• It takes 3 months to train a flea.
• They, then, have only 3 months to perform.

Performing fleas have been around for awhile, some say since Ancient Egypt. In the 1600's, flea tainers were condemned as soccerers. Flea Circus really gained popularity in the Victorian Era, when Mr. Bertolotto started touring the UK, Europe, and American with his 'Educated and learned Fleas.' His fleas pulled chariots, drew water from a well, and even performed parodies of current events. European watchmakers and jewelers often crafted tiny ivory scuptures and silver chains. The art of flea-training really took off when one artisan crafted a chain so small that the flea could actually be harnessed to it. Now that's tiny!

Flea circuses were shown alll over at county fairs and sideshows until the 1960's. No one is quite sure what caused their deline in the popularity, but it is thought that the advent of TV...or possibly the vacuum cleam...is to blame. But for whatever reason that they're no longer popular, I will have the opportunity to witness this exciting spectacle this weekend. Friedo's Flying Fleas will perform at the Liy Pad's Civic Center tonight and  Saturday. Quigley, Jr. will, I'm sure, to want to attend both shows. In addition this this flea circus, there are two others that are still around and doing performances; The Hans Mathes Flea Circus at Oktoberfest and the Acme Miniature Flea circus. Just in case you can't get to Germany, or Acme doesn't visit your area, videos of both can be found on Youtube. 

​I hope you have exciting plans for the weekend, too. As for my visit to the flea circus, let's just say that I hope I don't get hungry during the performance....