Ringmaster’s Top Hat

The magic of circus combines with bold hopes for the future

Timothy Mack of Imperial Opa Circus lived up to his promise to excel as a presenter in the ringmaster role at the Ralph Rinzler Stage—a circus ring by day and music venue by evening. With his sparkling red coat, tall top hat, and big personality, he captivated—and held—the attention of audiences, turning heads whenever he walked through the ring.

That year, the Festival was anchored on either end by the Ralph Rinzler Stage to the west and a fully rigged Big Top circus tent to the east. In between were numerous open-air features like a high-wire, wall trampoline, and flying trapeze—visible to all passersby who often stopped and sat on the grass, enthralled. Across the way, the Arts and Industries Building held the interactive Circus School, where young aerialists flew through the air and acrobats tumbled under the eyes of their tutors. It was also in this space that Ringmaster Mack delivered closing remarks for a youth citizenship ceremony, welcoming the new citizens to our country with an encouragement and flamboyance that they and their families will long remember.

Mack’s last act was to serve as ringmaster for the final performance in the Big Top—a “Solute to Youth Circus.” It was by turns beautiful and energetic, spellbinding and inspiring. As the end neared, he called program curator Preston Scott into the ring and presented him with the top hat as a gift. Unbeknownst to any of us, he had tucked a handwritten note into the band of the hat, exhorting the next wearer to “…make the path better for those who come after you.” It remains where he placed it, waiting to be rediscovered by the next person who turns over the hat.