Portage County Historical Society

1928 Show Schedule

This is the actual schedule the Engford Family Shows followed during the spring/summer/fall of 1928. A performance line-up is presented here also.

Show Schedule

April 21, 1928
Plain, Ill
Oswego
Naperville
Roselle
W Chicago
Geneva
Maple Park
-----------
Rochelle
Ashton
Oregon
Bryon
Pesontica
Lena
----------
Warren
Darlington, Wis
Shullsberg
Cuba City
Belmont
Lancaster
May 13 Sun.
----------
Fennimore
Bloomington
Cassville
Bagley
Prairie du Chein
Wauzeka

----------
Boscobel
Gays Mills
Solders Grove
Readstown
La Farge
Viroqua
----------
Coon Valley
Ontario
Wilton
Tomah
Sparta
Bangor
----------
Holmen
Taylor
Hixton
Fairchild
Merriland
Neilsville
----------
Greenwood
Spencer
Abbotsford
Ogema
Prentice
----------
June 17
Hawkins

Ladysmith
Weyerhauser
Barron
Amery
Baldwin
Sunday June 24
White Bear Lake Mn
Forrest Lake
Elk River
Princeton
Foreston
Agivile
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July 1-2, Onamia
July 3-4, Crosby
Pilager
Pequiot
Pine River
---------
Walker
La Porte
Ten Strike
Black Duck
Northome
Kelliher
----------
Big Falls
Little Fork
Ranier
Ray

Orr
Cook
----------
Lower
Gilbert
July 26
Poplar, Wis
Brule
Mason
----------
Marengo
Saxon
Aug 1
Wakefield, Mich.
Berland
Ewen
Ontonagon
Moss
South Range
Chassel
Baraga
Negaunee
---------
Gwinn
Chatham
Rapid River
Garden
Gould City
Trout Lake
---------

St Ignace
Mackinaw City
Pellston
Alanson
Bayne City
Aug. 25 Sat.
Mancelona
Kalkoska
South Boardmann
Mauton
Lake City
Marion
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Sept. 2
Reid City
Baldwin
White Cloud
Newaygo
Howard City
Lake View
-----------
Stanton
Carson City
Portland
Mason
Stockbridge
Chelsea
-----------
Manchester
Tecumseh

Blissfield
Sept. 20
Delta, Ohio
Stryker
Holgate
------------
Deshler
Maeomo
Ottawa
Payne
Hicksville
Waterloo, Ind.
------------
Oct. 1
Egerton
Pioneer
Reading Mich
Litchfield
Constantine
Vicksberg
Wakaransand, Ind
N Liberty
Kouts
Lowell
Beacher Ill
Frankfurt
Close Oct. 13

Performance Line Up

Here is a sample line up. It is not clear which year this represents. But, more then just the Engford Family Act is involved. Several more Acts are incorporated into the evening's performances.

  • Introduce Candy Sales    8:00
  • Introductory Speech        8:14
  • Acts Begin
  • Act No. 1.    Musical Opening -Banjos-Guitar & Drums,    Family,    8:15 -- 4-Min.
  • Act No. 2.    Great Harold, Balancing Posturist,    Harry,    8:19 --- 11 min.
  • Act No. 3.    Mamie McShane - Monolog & Song,    Florence,    8:19 --9 Min.
  • Act No. 4.    Clown Alley Tooth Pulling,    3 Clowns,    8:39 -- 2 min.
  • Act No. 5.    Musical Review; Accordion-Violin-Guitar-Drums-Singing & Dancing,    Family,    8:41 -- 18 min.
  • Act No. 6.    Swinging Slack Wire Novelty,    Dick,    8:59 -- 10 min
  • Act No. 7.    Forges Bros. Acrobatic Clown Act,    5&2 Clowns,    9:09 -- 10 min.
  • Act No. 8.    Buddy; Wire Walking & Tricks,    Buddy,    9:19 -- 5 min.
  • Act No. 9.    Traps & Loop Walking,    George,    9:24 -- 4 min.
  • Act No. 10.    Photograph Gallery Clowns,    Clowns,    9:28 -- 3 min.
  • Act No. 11.    Harry Roberts Troupe,    Family,    9:31 -- 9 min.
  • Act No. 12.    Barber Shop Act,    Clowns,    9:40 -- 6 min.
  • Acts End
  • Conclusion of Performance
  • Performance running a total of 1 hour 31 minutes

The performers are as follows: Family -- Robert, Amanda, Harry, Florence; Forges Bros. -- Robert & Harry; Dick is unknown at this time; George Collins was Boss Canvasman (took care of the tent setup) on Engford Family Shows. He also was an aerialist, Fire-eater and Sword-swallower.

Buddy is the Engford Family dog. His costume was found stuffed into a wall while the house was undergoing restoration.