FROM GAYLE DE RIZKIE BARNES: THE DE RIZKIE FAMILY

The De Rizkie Family was a third generation circus family of French & Dutch descent, Letha & Frank performed a Double Chair Balancing Trapeze Act, also doing Foot Slide, & Head Slide, respectively.
When their four children were growing up, in the tradition of many American circus families they taught them to be versatile, learning many different circus skills. Lucy learned Slack Wire, and along with, Francine, Gayle, & Frank Jr. learned Head Balancing Trapeze, Gayle did Foot Juggling, and the whole family did a Juggling Act. On the Rola Bola, Frank & Sandra did juggling, and Lucy & Gayle did head to head, Lucy, Sandra, & Frank Jr. worked with elephants, Gayle & Lucy worked the Dog Acts when needed, and of course the girls all did web, & swinging ladder.

They worked circuses, fairs, parks, films, & TV throughout the U.S. & Canada, they spent much time working in the East with Hunt Bros, 1945, found them with Railroad show, Arthur Bros., & 1947 with Floyd King’s King Bros. Some other shows were Ring Bros.(owned by Franco & Lucy De Rizkie Richards), Robbins Bros., Hagan-Wallace, & others.


LETHA & FRANK DE RIZKIE SR.
The Pendleton Round Up, 1934

THE DE RIZKIE FAMILY.
On the left is Letha,the top mounter is Francine, the understander is Frank Sr., with Lucy on the right, & Gayle lower left.
Letha was a "Charter Member", of "Showfolks of Sarasota", and was a familiar sight at the dinners, accompanied by daughter Sandy.