The Clyde Parke Miniature Circus

Clyde Parke was eight when he saw his first real circus. Immediately, he was hooked on the circus and on the idea of creating his own.

Years passed, and soon, the Great Depression struck. In 1930, Parke found himself out of work. Rather than let his situation defeat him, he used his newfound free time to focus on his passion - he began creating the elaborate miniature circus that would consume his life for the next 30 years.

Up to 18 hours a day, for those 30 years, Parke dedicated himself to hand-carving his creation, a 15-foot rigged-canvas Big Top Circus, complete with acrobats, sideshows, carnival barkers, clowns, concession stands, animals, wagons and crowds.

The magnitude of this task is amazing, but what is more remarkable is that Parke animated 98% of this circus, connecting it all through belts and pulleys to a single one-horsepower motor. The entire Clyde Parke Circus is one elaborate and intricate automaton, including the audience of 1500 people.

In 1970, Clyde Parke donated his circus to the Memphis Pink Palace Museum, hoping that "children of all ages who see my miniature circus can form a picture in their minds of those 'good ole days.'"

The show times are:   

10:00 – 10:30 am  (except on Sundays)

12:00 – 12:30 pm 

 2:00 – 2:30 pm

 3:30 - 4:00 pm