Disney Dumbo
Did you know that before we had heavy machinery and nifty gadgets to help install tents, elephants often assisted the crew and in some circuses they still do! I was sporting my Atent for Rent hat with the logo and someone commented, “I love how you have a random elephant in your logo!” I told them the elephant was a powerful symbol and was helping install the tent in our logo. They seemed shocked to hear it could be true and were in disbelief to the point I was questioning myself. Of course we all remember the movie “Dumbo” but I’m not sure that would pass as a reliable source.
Cole Bros Circus
I did a little research and found out a few circuses that keep the spirit of the circus alive and still have elephants assist to raise their tents. The Cole Bros Circus has been entertaining audiences since 1884 and still takes place under the traditional big top tent! A newspaper article from 1985 refers to “man and beast” working together raising the big top tent as “a modern day miracle handled in a old-fashioned manner.” They actually encouraged people to come view the installation of tent and called it “the show before the show.”
Carson & Barnes Circus
I came across a great blog, “Traveling Circus – An Endangered Species”. The author reminisces about being young and attending the circus with his older brother. He posted a great picture of the The Carson & Barnes Circus big top going up! Another one of the few big tops remaining and entertaining, the Carson & Banes Circus was established in 1937 and still performs today. The Big Apple Circus is in the city for another few weeks. It’s a Circus in the City on a smaller scale, but still a blast for the family and worth checking out!
Atent for Rent, Inc.
As a event rental company we found that the elephants would have been inefficient and more costly to maintain than the forklift, so we don’t currently house any elephants, but the idea is fun! We have been approached to update our logo, rebrand, even change our name. Certainly we see the benefits and possible consequences of such a change, but really we all agree we would have a hard time letting go of the elephant! The elephant is a symbol of prosperity, loyalty, grace, strength and wisdom. It has come to represent our company and our values!