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08/16/2017 07:00 AMTino Wallenda is looking forward to the Guilford Fair for many reasons, but mostly to see all of his friends.
“I like all of our friends there the best. There are so many who come to see us every year,” says Wallenda, at 66 years old the patriarch of the Flying Wallendas, the Sarasota-based branch of the Wallenda circus family that has been coming to the Guilford Fair for about 16 straight years now. “They are our friends just by virtue of coming to see the show.”
Once again, the family will be performing with no net, Wallenda says.
“If you use a net, you may be tempted to go beyond your limits,” he says. “And that can cause an accident. If we’re not comfortable with it 100 percent, we don’t do it.”
Wallenda says the risk of an accident while driving in a car on the highway is greater than the risk of high wire performer falling. He adds that the family practices each stunt at a lower level, on a practice wire about 10 feet off of the ground.
Taking it to a Higher Level
“We rehearse on that until we are quite comfortable with what we are doing. And maybe the wire is not as tightly strung, which makes it more difficult, more wiggly. We might push our limits more at that height, to make us really comfortable with the act,” he says. “When you get to the performance, you just take it to a higher level with that confidence built in.”
He also says the family is careful to adjust the act according to the weather. “Sometimes we get close to our limits, but we don’t go over,” he says. “We’ll back off if we need to. For example, sometimes my daughter stands on someone’s shoulders. But if it’s windy, she might sit on someone’s shoulders.”
As for nets, anyway, he says they are a false sense of security.
“There are performers who fell while using a net, and they bounced out, or missed the net. My grandfather’s brother, back in the 30s, he was using a net, and got a little sloppy in his performance, and he hit the net and bounced out, and was killed on impact,” he says.
The Family All There
As for the Wallendas who were injured recently while practicing, and had to be rushed to the hospital for treatment, Wallenda says they are from a different branch of the family, but he says he was glad to learn the two family members who did sustain serious injuries are doing better.
“I think they are both performing again at this point,” he says.
In addition to the family’s renowned high-wire act, the Wallendas also will bring the popular shoot-a-man-from-the-cannon act, and will also have the Wheel of Destiny this year, the contraption that whirls around like the wheel in a gerbil cage, only it’s huge and its about 40 or 50 feet in the air.
Also this year, Tino Wallenda’s grandson will make an appearance in the show, although not on the high wire as he is only just over a year old. Wallenda is also excited that his daughter Aurelia will be back in the show this year, after having missed it last year after her baby was born, and his daughter-in-law Claire, who took time off to go to nursing school, will be there as well.
“It’ll be great to have my family all there,” he says.
Here are some other acts and highlights from upcoming fairs in the area:
North Guilford Country Fair and Auction, Saturday, Aug. 19
Runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain or shine), 159 Ledge Hill Road, North Guilford
Highlights include “a quilt show, handcrafts, books, tools, jewelry, a silent auction, toys, farm animals, the famous Little Toot train ride, and a raucous auction that runs the whole day.” And the North Guilford Congregational Church famous peach shortcake is not to be missed.
For more information, visit www.northguilforducc.org.
Chester Fair, Friday through Sunday, Aug. 25, 26, 27
Entertainment includes the Riverboat Ramblers, All Funked Up, Braiden Sunshine (“The Voice Season 9 semi-finalist singer, songwriter, and hometown favorite”), and the Chester Fife and Drum Corps. There also will be an antique tractor pull, dog agility demonstrations, a sheepdog herding demonstration (tentatively), and a home craft brewing beer tent.
For more information, visit www.chesterfair.org.
North Haven Fair, Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 7, 8, 9, and 10
Entertainment includes the Randy Kemp Trio, Paradise Alley Pro Wrestling/Road to Dieselmania II, magician and juggler Robert Clarke, and the Marvelous Mutts Canine Spectacular. There also will be a Cabela BB gun range and archery range, adult redneck horseshoes, chainsaw carving, a kids pie-eating contest, and a ladies’ and kids’ skillet toss (registration required for participation).
For more information, visit northhaven-fair.com.
East Haven Fair, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 8, 9, and 10.
Tommy James & the Shondells (“Crystal Blue Persuasion,” “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Hanky Panky,” “Crimson & Clover,” “Draggin’ The Line,” “Mony Mony,” and “Sweet Cherry Wine” ) will be the headliners Saturday night. There also will be rides, games, a classic car show, a teen center, and a performance by the East Haven High School Band. There also will be an East Haven Community Classic Road Race on Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
Guilford Fair Sept. 15, 16, and 17
Entertainment includes The Flying Wallendas, Shawn Marren: The Human Cannonball, Astro-Nocks Space Wheel, and the Nerveless Nocks Globe of Thrills. Illusionist David Garrity also will be making several appearances, along with the Eagles Tribute Band Another Tequila Sunrise. The Guilford Fair Parade will be Saturday, Sept. 16, starting at 10 a.m.
For more information, visit guilfordfair.org.
Durham Fair, Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 21, 22, 23, and 24
Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo will hit you with their best shot on the main stage on Saturday at 7 p.m. There will be a monster truck rally, a lumberjack show, and a talent show. Other entertainment includes a USO Show Troupe. There also will be a Veterans Appreciation Day on Sunday, Sept. 25, with free admission to all active duty/military personnel and United States veterans.
For more information, visit www.durhamfair.com.