SARASOTA, FLORIDA – November 23, 2020 –The Circus Ring of Fame Foundation announced today the Class of 2021. The announcement follows an extensive global nominating and voting process.

“With this class of inductees, The Circus Ring of Fame Foundation embarks on a global quest to honor the best of the best. It is our goal to grow the stature of this award and make Sarasota a premiere destination for the worldwide circus community to gather on an annual basis,” said Bill Powell Foundation Chair.

The Circus Ring of Fame Class of 2021 inductees are:

1. Galaxy Girl, Tina Winn – Seventh generation extreme aerialist who performs dazzling gymnastic routines at heights of up to 130 feet in the air. Tina Winn has been performing for multiple decades and began her training in the circus arts as a child with her family.
2. Nik Wallenda, King of the High Wire has crisscrossed the globe with never-before-seen death defying acts. As a direct descendent of the original Wallenda troupe headed by patriarch Karl Wallenda, Nik carries on multiple decades of family tradition of spectacular aerial artistry and death-defying thrills.
3. George Carden – Prominent multi decade circus producer headquartered in Missouri who has raised millions of dollars for charitable causes through the work of his circus and sponsoring organizations.
4. Willie Edelston – As the 1941 National YMCA Ring Champion, Willie Edelston had a love for performing. He signed with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus as a trapeze artist and continued this work for multiple decades on numerous shows. For more than 50 years, Willie volunteered at the Sailor Circus. Hundreds of students have benefited from his coaching. He taught flying trapeze, rings, tumbling, and hand-balancing.
5. The Richter Family – One of Europe’s premiere multi-generational circus families. They are best known for their elephant, horse and exotic animal and human acrobatic productions. The Richter family all began performing as young children. They come from multiple generations of circus performers. Besides performing amazing acrobatic feats with horses and elephants, these performers are noted for the training and care of their animal companions.Their animal acts embrace the concept of human and animals working side by side in the circus arts.

The new inductees to the Circus Ring of Fame will join the 150 who have been honored since 1987. All of those who have been recognized have made a significant contribution to the art and culture of the circus. The annual ceremony, traditionally held in early January, will be delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions on public gatherings. Updates on the ceremony will be posted on the website and social media pages.

About the Circus Ring of Fame Foundation – The Circus Ring of Fame Foundation is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the core purpose of recognizing the highest of achievement in circus arts and culture.

Social page: https://www.facebook.com/circusringoffame

For more information contact: HARTLINE Communications at: 813-494-7768 or melinda@hartlinecommunications.com