Super Circus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- West Springfield, Mass.

THE BIG E SUPER CIRCUS 2007

The Big E Super Circus, sponsored by Coca-Cola, is the Fair's own free, one-ring European-style circus with all-new performers each year in three shows daily, Sept. 14-30 at 1, 4 & 7 p.m.

This year's list of performers includes: The Flying Pages, flying trapeze; Calusari Teeterboard Troupe; Johnny Peers Comedy Dogs; Alesia's Hula Hoops; Gagik Hand Balancing Act; Fusco Brothers Juggling; and Heidi Herriott, Ringmistress and music coordinator, Larry Stout.

The Flying Pages
Husband and wife team, Willy and Jill Pages have been performing their flying trapeze act together since 1992, after enjoying successful careers as aerialists with various other troupes. Willy Pages, third generation of a Cuban circus family, spent the majority of his career performing with his brothers, Jorge and Felix as the Flying Pages. These talented aerialists won gold medals for their trapeze act and the silver cup for the "Best Act" at the London Circus World Championships.

When his brothers retired from performing in 1991, Willy and Jill continued the family tradition of the Flying Pages. Jill began her professional aerialist career at the age of 16 and won "Best Female Trapeze Artist" at age 19 in the Monte Carlo Circus Festival in Monaco. Together Willy and Jill have performed in the Ringling Brothers Barnum Bailey Circus, Circus Circus in Reno, Nev., and the Big Apple Circus. An invitational trip to Monaco in 2002 brought the coveted "Bronze Clown" and the "Cup of Nice." Most recently, the couple has traveled with the Shrine and Royal Hanneford Circuses, the Varieties for Cirque Du Soleil, Germany Circus Krone, Japan Taiwan and Circus Sarasota. Both their son Anthony and daughter Mercedes perform in the act with Anthony now throwing the triple somersault. Rounding out the troupe are Eric Craft and Kerri Gillespie who both trained with the Amateur Circus in Peru, Indiana.

Alesya Goulevitch was born into the famous circus family of Belarus clown Fiodor Goulevitch and aerialist Nadezda Bilenko. At five years old Alesya was debuted on the Christmas Show and at twelve her father created her first act, a comedy Bicycle/Unicycle act with which she toured through Russia with her family. At fourteen she created her own Hula Hoop act for which she became famous.

Since then she has twirled around the world delighting audiences with her unique and artistic style. She is presently a two time Guinness World Record holder with the most Hula Hoops simultaneously spun at one time. Alesya Goulevich is a true modern circus artist. She has a strong background in dance and choreography having studied ballet and jazz. She is well versed in all the circus arts from comedy to animals to flying trapeze.

Johnny Peers Comedy Dogs
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Johnny Peers learned the ropes of traveling show business at an early age while working for his father who was a concessionaire at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. His skills as a natural comedian led him to Clown Alley where he met and grew to respect Lou Jacobs, one of the greatest American circus clowns. Some of Jacobs's most memorable clown routines were performed with dogs, prompting Johnny to develop his own comedy routines with dogs. Most of his dogs are rescued from shelters, justifying his motto "Any dog can be a good dog."

Johnny has traveled extensively throughout North and South America and Europe performing with leading circuses and in a variety of music halls. He was named the Animal Planet pet star champion in 2003.

Fusco Brothers Juggling EMILIO AND MAXIMILIO FUSCO
Emilio and Maximilio Fusco are making their circus debut in the United States with the Royal Hanneford Circus. Hailing from Argentina, their circus family has toured throughout South America, Mexico and now the United States. Their parents were featured dancers on the Tihany Circus in South America. The brothers, who are twins, are featured in The Big E Circus in a fast and furious juggling presentation featuring 10 clubs and a variety of unique manipulations that will astound the audience.

Calusari Teeterboard Troupe - This well-established Russian Bar and Teeterboard group originated in the country of Moldova. They attended the best acrobatic and circus schools, and have spent the past six years performing and perfecting the art of these two acts. The Russian Bar is synchronized somersaults, back flips and twisting after being catapulted from the bar. The Teeterboard consists of seven people working together in a gravity defying feat that continuously holds the audience in amazement as they spin and tumble.

Gagik Hand Balancing Act - This one of a kind family act from Russia has been performed around the world since the late '80s. The Gagiks have accepted awards in: The "Bravo Bravissimo" in Cremona, Italy for Diplomats of Competition (1995); the "Silver Clown" on the international circus festival in St. Petersburg, Russia and in Monte-Carlo, Monaco; They were participants of the "First Delphic" games in Moscow, Russia (2000); and first place holders on the 5th International Circus Festival City of Latina, Italy (2003). Gagik Seryanyan and his family are currently based out of Winter Haven, Florida, and continue to travel the world to perform.

Heidi Herriott-Koch is an outstanding circus performer, animal trainer and ring mistress. She is an accomplished horsewoman and in her spare time, is a ring mistress for circuses at fairs and shrine events across the country. She will serve as Ring Mistress at the 2007 Big E.

Heidi is a feature reporter for Good Living Magazine and the executive director of the Florida Federation of Fairs & Livestock Shows, Inc.  Prior to her current position, she was the Circus Unit manager for the Outdoor Amusement Business Association located in Winter Park, Fla. During her tenure with that organization, she gained vast experience being on camera as the national Circus Industry spokesperson. Heidi has been interviewed on national radio and television programs including the "TODAY Show," "Good Morning America," "Fox," "MSNBC," and the "O'Reilly Factor."

Don't miss this year's new acts at The Big E Super Circus 2007. The Fair opens its gates daily at 8 a.m. Sept. 14-30, 2007. For more information visit www.thebige.com or call The Big E Info Line at 413-205-5115.

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