Sarasota, Fla. – September 19, 2024 – The Circus Ring of Fame® Foundation announced today new inductees for the class of 2025.

The three lifetime achievement inductees are:

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• Elvin Bale  

  – Elvin Bale’s career spans over six decades with significant contributions to the entertainment and circus industries. He headlined with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® as “The World’s Greatest Daredevil,” earning international acclaim by performing for Pope John Paul II and several U.S. Presidents.

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• The Vazquez Family

  – From humble beginnings Jose Vazquez and his family of performers and staff grew Circus Vazquez® into one of the premier circuses in Mexico and eventually expanded their reach to the United States and Latin America.

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• Franco Dragone

  – Renowned for having invented a new genre of circus by mixing circus, human performance with technology and music, the shows Franco Dragone created forever changed the face of global circus arts and live entertainment.

Additional honorees for 2025 include:

Animal Partners

– Honored under a special group category, the role and contributions of animal partners throughout the history of the circus arts will be recognized. This award will spotlight well known animal artists who have played a distinguished role in circus history.

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• Coach of the Year

  – The 2025 Circus Arts Coach of the Year is being bestowed on Lu Yi, a highly influential figure in the world of acrobatics and circus arts.

• Generation NeXt

  – This award spotlights creative accomplishment and leadership in the next generation of circus arts professionals. Awardees will be announced soon.

A formal induction ceremony will take place at The Circus Ring of Fame Awards show on February 8, 2025. The venue will be Circus Sarasota’s Big Top located in Nathan Benderson Park. Ticket information will be announced soon.

“This year’s class of inductees exemplifies the highest of achievement in circus arts and culture,” said Bill Powell, chair of the Circus Ring of Fame Foundation. “We congratulate the winners and their families and look forward to seeing everyone at the awards show in February. With this stellar group of inductees, the demand for tickets will be at an all-time high,” Powell noted.

The Circus Ring of Fame Foundation lifetime achievement inductee short biographies:

Elvin Bale is a celebrated figure in the entertainment world, renowned for his daring performances and leadership roles in the circus industry. He achieved international fame as the headlining star of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, where he was famously dubbed “The World’s Greatest Daredevil.” Bale’s aerial feats were legendary, including being the only aerialist ever invited to perform for Pope John Paul II in the Vatican. His performances captivated audiences across the globe, including U.S. Presidents John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, and Gerald Ford. His extraordinary talent earned him prestigious accolades, such as the Gold and Silver Clowns awards from The Festival International du Cirque de Monte Carlo, and the Circus Oscar in Madrid, Spain.

In addition to his starring role, Bale held significant leadership positions, including Vice President of Operations for Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus and Regional Vice President of the American Guild of Variety Artists. He expanded his influence beyond performing, appearing on television and in movies, and magazines such as Time and People. Bale is also the creative force behind several iconic circus acts, including the Human Cannonball for Circus-Circus, where he served as a technical consultant and designer for a variety of equestrian, aerial, and animal performances.

In addition to his work with circuses, Bale managed and produced numerous shows under his company, Elvin Bale Productions. He played a crucial role in booking and managing circus arts attractions like the Royal Lipizzaner Stallions. Additionally Bale produced landmark performances such as the Cossack Equestrian presentation for Excalibur Hotel in Las Vegas. Bale’s contributions have shaped the modern circus world and inspired generations of performers.

Elvin Bale Website: http://www.elvinbale.com

The Vazquez Family – In 1969, brothers Jose and Rafael Vazquez debuted their small family circus in Mexico as Circus Hermanos Vazquez. After parting ways in 1971, Jose continued with his family as performers and staff to grow the show becoming one of the premier circuses in Mexico and eventually expanded their reach to the United States and other countries in Latin America. Circus Vazquez has toured for nearly 30 years playing to capacity crowds. Known and respected in the circus industry for their progressive leadership and business acumen, in 2021, they rebranded the show Circus Vazquez and added the innovative Flip Circus to their family of brands.

Circus Vazquez website: https://www.circusvazquez.com

Franco Dragone is renowned for having invented a new genre of circus by mixing circus, human performance with technology and music. The shows Franco created during his early days forever changed the face of the circus arts and live entertainment globally.

Franco joined the nascent Cirque du Soleil® and played an instrumental role in their planetary ascent as Creative Director. Over twelve years he would direct no less than ten shows, among which includes: Le Cirque Réinventé, Nouvelle Expérience, Saltimbanco, Quidam, Mystère, Alegria, “O” and La Nouba.

In 2000, Franco founded Dragone® and created his most significant shows over the past decade: Celine Dion A New Day; Le Rêve (Las Vegas); The House of Dancing Water and Taboo (Macau); Aida (Naples); The Han Show (Wuhan, China); Paris Merveilles (Lido, Paris).

Dragone website:  https://www.dragone.com

The new inductees to the Circus Ring of Fame will join the 164 honored since 1987. All of those recognized have made a significant contribution to the art and culture of the circus. Updates on the ceremony will be posted on the website and social media.

Circus Arts Coach of the Year honoree Lu Yi short biography:

Lu Yi was a highly influential figure in the world of acrobatics and circus arts, with a career that spanned over five decades. Originally from China, Lu Yi trained at the prestigious Shanghai Circus School and became a celebrated performer known for his skill and artistry. After an accomplished performance career, he shifted focus to teaching and coaching, becoming instrumental in developing acrobatic programs around the world.

In 1990, Lu Yi moved to the United States and joined the San Francisco Circus Center, where he has trained generations of acrobats and circus performers. As the Center’s Master Coach, he introduced new techniques and elevated the standard of acrobatic training in the U.S. His students have gone on to perform with renowned companies like Cirque du Soleil and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Lu Yi’s contributions to the circus arts have been widely recognized, solidifying his reputation as one of the foremost circus arts coaches globally.