Walkway of Circus Stars
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - West Springfield, Mass. - October 1, 2009
WAYNE MCCARY INDUCTED INTO WALKWAY OF CIRCUS STARS
SEPTEMBER 29, 2009 AT THE BIG E
In a surprise presentation, Wayne McCary, president of Eastern States Exposition (ESE) and chairman of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA), was honored with a stone on The Big E Walkway of Circus Stars, Sept. 29, 2009. The special ceremony took place in front of a group of circus performers, circus fans, audience members and ESE staff members following the 1:00 p.m. Big E Super Circus.
ESE Chairman of the Board, Donald R. Chase, announced the dedication, which caught McCary off-guard. Special guests included McCary's wife, Annette, OABA Executive Director Bob Johnson and Dutchess County Fair Manager Bob Grems.
McCary was there to recognize Struppi Hanneford, First Lady of the American Circus, with her own stone and was completely unaware he, too, would be honored. Hanneford's stone was placed next to her husband's, the late Tommy Hanneford, who was honored in 1997. 
The brick and granite Walkway was built and installed in 2003 to recognize top performers in The Big E Super Circus. Other honorees include: Dolly Jacobs, Sylvia Zerbini, David Maas & Dania Kaseeva, Father Jack Toner and The Great Wallendas.
McCary introduced the circus to Eastern States Exposition in 1970 and has produced it since that time. Since 1989, the circus has been shown under Hanneford's big top tent in a European one-ring format.
The Big E continues through Oct. 4 at Eastern States Exposition on Memorial Avenue in West Springfield, Mass. For tickets and more information please visit www.TheBigE.com or call The Big E Info Line at 413-205-5115.
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