Animals & Acrobats in Croton Memorial Day Weekend

A giant mastodon, birds of prey, jugglers, tightrope walkers, mime, magician, and more

An early American traveling circus comes to Van Cortlandt Manor

Croton-on-Hudson, NY (May 12, 2009) - Tumbling acrobats, rope walkers, magic shows, fortune telling, birds of prey demonstrations, and musical performances are some of the highlights awaiting visitors to Van Cortlandt Manor during "Animals & Acrobats," Croton-on-Hudson's Memorial Day weekend classic. This modern rendition of an early American circus takes place Saturday-Monday, May 23-25, from 10-6 p.m.

On display for the first time will be a life-size replica of a giant mastodon skeleton discovered some 200 years ago in the Hudson Valley. Popularly called a "Mammoth" or "Behemoth," this extinct carnivore was almost lost entirely to history until workmen digging on a farm near Newburgh uncovered a massive femur, which led to the eventual discovery of the full mastodon. Later in the 19^th century, Rembrandt Peale acquired the skeleton and took the curiosity on the road in Europe and America, where it drew large crowds of astonished onlookers.

The mastodon replica is the brainchild of Michael Natiello, an artist and creator of Van Cortlandt Manor's Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze.

"I've wanted to explore the story of the Hudson Valley mastodon for quite some time," said Natiello. "Bringing it to life, so to speak, is a natural fit for Animals & Acrobats."

Jennifer Pena of New Paltz, N.Y., will bring Flight of the Raptor to Van Cortlandt Manor, demonstrating the power and grace of her birds of prey menagerie. A licensed falconer, Ms. Pena will be sharing her knowledge, experience, and passion for birds of prey during multiple performances.

The Acrobrats is a four-person team that will perform acrobatic feats, including tumbling, pyramids, stilt dancing, hand balancing, and contortion. They will be joined by slack rope walker Dikki Ellis and Chris Yerlig as Hoopoe the Mime.

Other performers include juggler Will Shaw; magic by "Mr. Bailey"; storyteller April Armstrong; Fred Greenspan's Punch & Judy Shows; fortune-telling by mystic Glenda Hughes; and musician Jim Keyes. Geordane's of Irvington will provide picnic food, beverages, and ice cream.

Visitors who buy their tickets in advance online will get a coupon for free popcorn for those under 18 in their party.

The early American circus tradition, which is brought to life during Animals & Acrobats, originated two hundred years ago when Americans took to the road in great numbers. Each spring and summer men, women, and children left the settled regions of the eastern seaboard, looking for new lands to farm. Scattered among these migrants were a small number of folks who made a meager living as itinerant entertainers, carrying acts on their backs, or across a saddle, fascinating audiences with entertainment that has been popular for thousands of years.

Admission is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors; $6 for children 5-17; and free for children under 5 and Historic Hudson Valley members. Tickets are available online at http://www.hudsonvalley.org/. Van Cortlandt Manor is at 525 South Riverside Avenue (off Route 9) in Croton-on-Hudson. Take the Croton Point Avenue exit from Route 9 and follow the signs. For information: 914-631-8200, http://www.hudsonvalley.org/.