The Cincinnati Gardens

Last night my daughter Aurore and I braved the elements and went to see The Syrian Shrine Circus at The Cincinnati Gardens. There was no way I was giving up front row center seats to old man winter and his menacing snow. Wind chill factors and snow drifts be damned. We arrived a few minutes early so she could see some animals and maybe touch them. We bought a program for one dollar, not a bad price. She was able to get some of the clown's autographs then and throughout the night. I let her approach them by herself, I'm always trying to promote her independence. When we went into the arena a wave of nostalgia hit right between the eyes. When I was a kid in the 1970's my dad use to take us kids to see the circus. He was a Shriner and had one of those kick ass fez hats. He used to take us behind the curtain to check out the animals.
I remember meeting The Flying Wallandas, my dad still has an autograph picture of Carl Wallanda somewhere at his house. I think I know why people from New York have that "feeling" toward Madison Square Gardens, they can't help it. The Cincinnati Gardens is 59 years old, I've been alive for 42 years of that history.
I remember my dad taking us to see Mid-Atlantic Wrestling in the late 70's. Ric Flair wrestled Greg Valentine for the belt. BlackJack Mulligan wrestled Bobby Duncum in a taped fist match. It was magical!!!!
My wife and I went to see NWA wrestling and got seats on the floor close to the ring. Yes, Andre was a Giant. The Road Warriors were starting to get big at that time. I was in all my glory.
We also went to see Slayer and Testament at the Gardens. I've never seen a mosh pit that big and that violent in my life.
The old wooden seats, the aroma, the memories and hopefully the future will be a part of our lives forever. The U.S. Bank Arena or Riverbend can't compare to the intimacy of the Gardens.
They don't get the big concerts anymore, I believe some politics are at work, but they do get The Monster Trucks, The Rollergirls and some sports stuff and of course The Shrine Circus.
The circus itself was a total throwback to the 70's. The lion tamer was older and kinda fat. But he was great. The trapeze artist was a single rope and one person catching. The monkeys and dogs had a carnival feel to it. The man being shot out of the canon was a world record holder, he reminded me of Evel Knievel. He had to be well into his 50's but it was exciting as hell. The clowns and the lower level pageantry all added to the old school mix. It doesn't have the over the top extravaganza of The Ringling Brothers but it has a magic all it's own. Not to mention free parking. Aurore got to ride an elephant, what a thrill for a seven year old, a bargain at seven bucks. Oh yeah, we'll be back next year. The legend and legacy of the Cincinnati Gardens will be passed down another generation.