Scotty Uhrich strides into the studio with a round, barrel shaped piece of luggage. No bigger than a lunchbox. It contains his Shrine fez. Instantly identifiable, this one in particular lets people know his involvement with the shrine specializes in an event that the young, old, rich, poor and all in between have been fascinated with for over 200 years. Scotty organizes the annual El Zagal Shrine Circus. In 2019, the circus runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday – April 5th – 7th.
(Left to right, Scotty Uhrich and Tim Tegge in the KFGO studios)
Sitting next to Scotty is Tim Tegge. Ringmaster by trade, circus historian off stage and a born performer. Literally. His parents had a circus act and started Tim as a clown when he was only 3 years old. Performing in a circus has been his entire life. Now, he gets to play the “straight man” who begs your attention from ring to ring as tight rope walkers or jungle cats prepare to entertain wide eyed children and adults who get to relive their childhood for a few hours under the big top.
Tim’s work as a circus historian involves memorabilia, with a specialization in the classic artwork of circus posters, that amount to over 250,000 pieces. He has even been called in to appraise items found in attics, basements, storage units and even on the television show “American Pickers.”
During the conversation Any and JJ shared with Tim, Amy brings up a piece of circus history from the 1800s and Tim instantly recognizes the story. On a tragic day, a very strong storm came through Wahpeton, ND and tore down a circus tent – killing several workers. In the field where the incident took place over 100 years ago, the city has erected a memorial statue. Something that Tim recalls as a beautiful memorial to those who lost their lives helping to entertain pioneers on the prairie.
See Tim Tegge do his thing during the 2019 El Zagal Shrine Circus at the Fargodome April 5th – 7th. Saturday and Sunday have multiple shows!
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Reminder, this is a fundraiser for temple operations at the El Zagal Shrine. Your dollars stay here and help keep this wonderful organization running!
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(Amy Iler & JJ Gordon are talk-show hosts at 790 AM KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. “It Takes 2 with Amy & JJ” can be heard weekdays 11am-2pm. Check out the show page on
FACEBOOK.
Follow Amy on Twitter
@AmyKFGO
. Follow JJ on Twitter
@JJGodon701
.)
