|
 |
|
|
Please take the time to visit our advertisers. (Use the back button on your browser to return to this page after viewing the ads.) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
CONTENTS General information and schedule of events Lodi Grape Festival honors nation with patriotic theme, ‘America the Beautiful’ Mural captures festival’s patriotic theme Fair talent guaranteed to rock Lodi with funk, alternative, blues Don and Jean Phillips head this year’s parade as grand marshals Festival parade comes from months of planning, effort Patriotic festival theme turns Grape Pavilion into a hall of flags Festival presents chance to taste fine local wines Good eats, from snacks to desserts, can be found at the festival Bobbie Norton: Invaluable behind-the-scenes person Answers to Grape Festival trivia questions Butler Amusements brings fun, games to Grape Festival Step right up and win a stuffed bulldog! Talented people make murals with grapes Hewlett-Packard brings technology exhibit to town Swan Brothers bring comedy circus to festival once again Don’t forget to visit the petting zoo Grape Festival features tobacco-free zones for fair-goers Festival Web site tells what to see, do 2002 president Caroline Lange has years of festival experience Board of directors plans for four-day event all year 2001 Grape Festival carried on despite terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C. From Tokay to today: Evolution of the Grape Festival |
|
Swan Brothers bring comedy circus to festival
once again
By Deanne Lowenstein The self-described zany duo of Mike and Andy Swan are bringing their off-the-wall comedy to the Lodi Grape Festival and Harvest Fair again this year. The Swan Bros. Circus will once again delight local children and families with slapstick comedy, magic, trapeze acts and, of course, their 13-year-old toy poodle, Trixie the Wonder Dog. After 26 years of performing together, the brothers say their biggest pleasure still comes from the smiles and laughter of the children. The family-oriented show has been a big hit at the festival off and on for 16 years. From the first time Andy’s brother, George, taught him to juggle in 1966, he knew the circus life was for him. He joined the DeWayne Bros. Circus in Oregon right out of high school and learned everything the circus life entailed. Andy and Mike decided to start their own circus in 1975, performing their first show in Texas for a small group of children. They then went on to perform at various fairs and festivals around Northern California. What began as a simple love of the circus grew into a lifelong passion and career. Now “The biggest two man circus in the world,” as they like to call themselves, performs numerous shows a month and are especially busy during the summer. The brothers are continually trying to add new and fresh things to their show. “We are always looking to spice up the ole show,” Andy said. This year, they have added a new juggling routine called “Egg Scrambling,” where they perform a juggling act between each other. Andy also has a new magic trick for the children, making his juggling balls disappear. Audience participation is the real secret behind the show, Andy said. He will walk around the 60-foot by 40-foot tent and tell jokes to the crowd. “My favorite one is, ‘Why did the elephant cross the playground? To get to the other slide,’ ” Andy said. He said he likes to improvise during the show, so you never know what to expect at each show. The self-proclaimed “almost-famous duo” say they have no plans to quit anytime soon. “It is so fun for us. We enjoy what we do,” Andy said. How many people can say they get to go to work and laugh all day? How many can say they play with clowns and do magic tricks at work? Sounds like a good gig. The Swan Bros. have definitely brought new meaning to the phrase, “running off and joining the circus.” Home | News | Sports | Business | Features | Opinion | Obituaries |Classifieds | Archives |
 |
|
