Princess Stephanie of Monaco heads distinguished Circus Ring of Fame class of 2024

The Circus Ring of Fame Foundation recently announced four inductees for the class of 2024, including Princess Stephanie of Monaco.

The induction ceremony will take place at The Circus Ring of Fame Awards Show in February. Ticket information will be announced soon.

In addition to Princess Stephanie, president of the Festival International du Cirque de Monte Carlo, the new Circus Ring of Famers are equestrian, animal trainer and vocalist Catherine Hanneford Carden, Guinness World Record-holders and human cannonballs David Smith Jr. and father David Smith Sr., and circus executive and producer Wayne McCary.

“This year’s distinguished class truly embodies the pinnacle of excellence within the circus arts and culture,” said Bill Powell, chair of the Foundation. “We offer our heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of them. With such an extraordinary ensemble of honorees representing a diverse array of talents, we are poised for an unforgettable celebration."

· Fifty years after her father Prince Rainier III established the Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo to support traditional circus artists and their families, the event is produced by Princess Stephanie and remains the world’s highest competitive platform for circus arts. In 2012, Princess Stephanie created Festival New Generation to recognize young artists. The World Circus Federation was created in 2008 and continues to operate under Princess Stephanie's patronage.

· Catherine Hanneford Carden, being honored posthumously, was a seventh-generation performer, starting with her family at age 5 as a ballerina on horseback under the watchful eye of her great uncle, the legendary Poodles Hanneford. She trained elephants and horses in her teens and learned skills as an acrobat, aerialist, trampolinist, dancer, and later vocalist and announcer. She appeared with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey starting in 1998.

· David Smith Sr. was an accomplished gymnast before learning the flying trapeze and forming the Rock Smith Flyers. He built his first cannon in the early 1980s, debuting with the Hubert Castle Circus. David Sr. and David Smith Jr. hold the Guinness World Record for height and distance, appearing with circuses and events worldwide and on television shows such as "America's Got Talent Extreme."

· Entrepreneur Wayne McCary produced Shrine circuses and oversaw the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) for more than 30 years as president and executive director. His accomplishments received recognition in John. H. McConnell’s “A History of the Shrine Circus” and Robert L. Parkinson’s “Directory of American Circuses 1793-2000.” McCary serves as vice chair and director of the World Circus Federation, collaborating with Princess Stephanie to promote their love for circus arts worldwide.

Inaugural Willie Edelston Award

The ceremony also will salute circus artist and stuntman Brayton "Bob" Yerkes with the inaugural Willie Edelston Circus Arts Coach of the Year Award, presented in honor of the aerial and acrobatic trainer who worked with hundreds of students for more than 50 years at the Sailor Circus. Edelston was the first coach inducted into the Circus Ring Of Fame in 2022.

Yerkes, born in 1932, ran away to join an acrobatic troupe with Clyde Beatty Circus at age 15. He formed several trapeze acts, including the Flying Alexanders and Flying Artons. He began a 70-year movie stunt career in Los Angeles in 1948, doubling for such stars as Paul Newman and Arnold Schwarzenegger, and has coached many celebrities. He is a recipient of the World Acrobatics Society Lifetime Achievement Award.

The inductees to the Circus Ring of Fame will join the 160 honored since 1987. For updates on the ceremony and tickets, visit circusringoffame.org and facebook.com/circusringoffame.

Submitted by Melinda Hartline

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Princess of Monaco heads illustrious new class for Circus Ring of Fame