As a child, Edward Limbach had what some might call a very specialized form of precognition.
"I was always the first one to know a circus was coming to town. How I knew that, I couldn't tell you," he said with a chuckle.
The 85-year-old's nearly life-long love of circuses was literally on display Thursday during Ed’s Dream Big circus showcase at Independence Village of Aurora, where Limbach lives. During the event, residents and guests could see part of the large collection of circus memorabilia that Limbach has been collecting for decades.
"I probably started doing this when I was 5 or 6 years old," he said.
The event was part of Independence Village's Dream Big initiative, which uses donations — raised by the Dream Big Fund — to make residents’ dreams a reality. Past examples include a food fight, a ride in a B-25 Mitchell bomber and a day at a motor speedway.
For Limbach, his dream was to share his collection and passion with others, both in person and in stories in newsletters published by the Circus Historical Society and the Circus Fans Association.
"As a young kid, I was fascinated by the circuses of the time," said Limbach. "It was a fascinating time."
He said when a circus came around, he was not content just seeing the show. He wanted to arrive early to see what happens beforehand. Fortunately, Limbach said, he had "accommodating" parents.
"The train was unloaded. The big top would go up," he said. "It's something that just grabs you."
Limbach said he knew John Ringling North, nephew of John Ringling of Ringling Brothers fame, and he identifies North as his favorite circus owner.
"Growing up on a circus train, he knew the ins and outs of creating a good show," Limbach said.
Limbach recalled some years ago, the Kelly Miller Circus, which North owned for a time, came to Aurora several years in a row. He remembers being underwhelmed by the low audience turnout at the initial performance and knew what the problem was.
"When I see empty seats, I see no front end," said Limbach, referring to the promotion of a circus before it arrives in town.
He volunteered to head up a group that would increase attendance through marketing beyond just Aurora.
"The first thing I told them was, 'You probably think we're here to promote a circus coming to Aurora,'" he said. "'We're promoting the circus coming to Portage County, and that's a big difference.'"
His collection includes such disparate items as posters, photographs and toys. Limbach said one of his favorite pieces is a framed headpiece worn by Sadie, a performer with the Shipp and Feltus Circus. It is a circus that is little known about now, which Limbach said is why he treasures the headpiece so much.
Limbach said he is unsure what will ultimately happen to his collection.
"We really haven't gotten to that," he said.
Reporter Jeff Saunders can be reached at jsaunders@recordpub.com.
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