SARASOTA COUNTY (WSNN) – The Circus Arts Conservatory honored 97-year-old trapeze artist, Willie Edelston, yesterday afternoon.
Edelston performed with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus in the late 1940s. Later on, he went to other circuses as a trapeze artist and sway pole performer.
He retired from the circus in 1959, getting a job with the U.S. Postal Service for over 30 years.
Willie was one of the longest standing coaches at Sailor Circus Academy, teaching thousands of students for more than 50 years.
The Circus Ring of Fame foundations recognizes people who have made a significant contribution to the circus arts.