Real Family Circus for Big Top Fan

The circus has always fascinated Fred Canfield, but not enough for him to run away and join one.

It wasn’t necessary, considering that there was one in the basement of his father’s New Jersey home.

“My father was looking for something interesting to put around the Christmas tree and decided to use a train with circus cars,” said Canfield, 52.

Later it was expanded to an 8-by-20 layout that in miniature duplicated the big-time circus arenas of the late 1940s. Canfield helped build it.

So after marrying, it only seemed right that he would create a circus of his own. Canfield chose a trailer to house his version.

“We wanted other people to be able to see it,” said the computer programmer who has a degree in mathematics from Georgia Tech.

Canfield estimates that he has exhibited the layout 150 times at schools, fairs and shopping malls since completing it 17 years ago.

“I like to meet and talk to people about the circus and circus trains,” said Canfield, who takes two hours to set up the layout at each of his stops. “It’s just a great deal of fun.”

The layout is an adaptation of the 1946 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus with select acts from other well-known circuses. He estimates it would cost up to $10,000 to replace the Canfield Family Circus.

Besides the big top, the display contains 47 tents and electronically programmed and operated rides, including a Ferris wheel, sky gondolas, carousel and chair swing.

Canfield is a big fan of circuses that pass through Southern California, which he compares favorably with those attended years ago in Madison Square Garden.

“A lot of the talent is as good if not better than before, and everything has been improved,” said Canfield, who along with his wife, Claudia--he met her on a blind date in high school--have developed a friendship with many of the performers.

They belong to a number of organizations, including Circus Model Builders International, Circus Fans of America and Model Railroaders of Orange County.

She is also active with Fullerton Meals on Wheels and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Orange County.

Canfield is looking for a museum willing to display his father’s circus, which he inherited. Portions have been exhibited at the Children’s Museum at La Habra and, more recently at the Anaheim Museum.

“One man wanted to buy it and take it to Japan, but I want to keep it in Southern California where I can have access to it in case it needs some maintenance,” he said. “I want to keep it here. It’s a link to my family.”