Circus Vargas: A Tradition of Family and Fun

Circus Vargas, a traveling family circus operating since 1969, came to the Inland Empire with their brand new 2015 show, ArleQuin, featuring performances from jugglers to trapeze artists and everything in between. Circus Vargas set up its big top tent in San Bernardino, right off of the I-10 freeway, from Jan. 13 through Jan. 19. Guests were treated to multiple performances throughout the night, some of which included the circus’ Double Wheel of Destiny, a black iron spherical cage with two motorcyclists spinning together in sync, displays of magic in between sets, aerial straps and plenty of comedic relief courtesy of the connoisseur of comedy, Alex Acero. The Double Wheel of Destiny, previously known as the Double Wheel of Death, a contraption with two metal wheels attached to a spinning base, gripped the audience into gasps as the performers jump-roped and free-fell far off the ground. “That act was a little crazy,” said Lucina Lastra. “It was so suspenseful; it looked like he was really going to fall a couple times.” Lucina Lastra attended the event with her husband Carlos Lastra, and two daughters Emma Jean and Alexandria Logan for the first time. “The kids had so much fun with the clowns and they absolutely loved the costumes and the make-up,” Lucina said. “They did such a good job getting the families and kids involved with the show. We all had a great time.” Family entertainment has been a value at Circus Vargas since its beginning in 1969, when Clifford Vargas fulfilled his childhood dream of opening his very own circus to revitalize the glamour and thrill of circus performances. According to the history of Circus Vargas, “He (Clifford) was dedicated and determined to make the name Circus Vargas synonymous with family entertainment and continued to do so until his untimely death in 1989.” Clifford Vargas’s death was attributed to heart failure. A traveling circus was not a new conception during Vargas’s time. Many circuses had already been traveling to keep up with the rapid westward expansion of the United States during the early nineteenth century. It wasn’t until 1825, however, that Joshuah Purdy Brown changed the face of circuses everywhere when he replaced the contemporary wooden construction with a full canvas tent. By 1830, the big tent had become an icon of circuses everywhere. In 1871, former museum promoter, Phineas Taylor Barnum, partnered with circus entrepreneur, William Cameron Coup, to launch the P.T. Barnum’s Museum, Menagerie and Circus. The “museum” focused on animal and human oddities that would soon come to be known as the circus sideshows. Circus Vargas’ 2015 ArleQuin show does not include the use of any animals, although there are many circuses that still utilize exhibition animals in their performances, despite many efforts from animal rights organizations and activists who are looking to ban the use of animal exhibition. Ringling Brothers, a circus made famous by their exotic animal demonstrations, including elephants, big cats, llamas, goats and horses, continues their long tradition of training and showing animals in their performances. Under the Animal Welfare Act of 1966, circuses have been required to meet strict animal care and treatment standards during their training, shows and transport. Ringling Brothers believes in maintaining those standards. “A positive, health environment is the only acceptable and successful method of working with animals,” says the Ringling Brothers website. After Clifford Vargas passed away, Circus Vargas was taken over by Roland Kaiser and Joseph Muscarello, until their retirement in 2003. Current owners, Nelson and Katya Quiroga, who took over in 2005 when they heard that Circus Vargas might permanently bring down their tent, have been focusing on all human acts since 2007. “This really is a family circus,” said Vittorio Arata, sixth-generation circus entertainer and father to current owner Katya Quiroga. “We have been around since 1969 and we make sure to continue Clifford Vargas’ tradition and name.” If you weren’t able to catch the Circus Vargas show in San Bernardino this time around, you can still catch the ArleQuin at Ontario Mills on April 2, 2015.