Cities Played

Behind the Scenes: A Traveling World

Leon Claxton’s troupe, 60+ members strong, created a vibrant, self-contained world aboard train car #66, a traveling microcosm of talent, resilience, and community. The car was a mobile hotel outfitted with a dining car, porter services, and living quarters—a necessity in an era of strict segregation. Here, performers shared meals prepared by their own cooks, sometimes accompanied by freshly caught fish, and built a unique camaraderie. Life on the road wasn’t without challenges. The troupe faced hostility in the South, particularly in states like Louisiana and Mississippi, where carnival trains were met with violence or rerouted. Performers aboard Leon Claxton’s car #66 endured threats, and even rocks and bottles hurled by angry townspeople, yet they remained steadfast in their commitment to the show.

Segregation shaped much of their experience. Car #66, reserved for Black and Latino performers. Claxton ensured his cast had their own dining arrangements, often avoiding spaces designated for white workers. Despite these divides, a profound sense of family and solidarity permeated the troupe, fostering a spirit of unity and resilience that defined their traveling world.

U.S.

Mobile, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Little Rock, Arkansas
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Tampa, Florida
Miami, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Augusta, Georgia
Peoria, Illinois
Annual Shrine Jubilee, Davenport, Iowa
Topeka, Kansas
Kansas State Fair, Hutchinson, Kansas
Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minnesota
Bicentennial Festival, St. Louis, Missouri
Mississippi State Fair, Jackson, Mississippi
Oklahoma State Fair, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Louisiana State Fair, Shreveport, Louisiana
New York
Steubenville, Ohio
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Cotton Carnival, Memphis, Tennessee
Tri-State Fair, Superior, Wisconsin
Wisconsin State Fair, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

WESTERN CANADA

Red River Exhibition, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Brandon, Manitoba
Ft. Williams/Port Author
Calgary Exhibition & Stampede, Calgary, Alberta
Edmonton Exhibit, Edmonton, Alberta
Saskatoon Exhibition, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Regina Exhibition, Regina
Montreal

Contact us to learn more.