Just east of this site stood the Winter Quarters of the Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus, a favorite winter attraction for tourists. On what had previously been the County Fair Grounds, the show spread over many acres with its Big Top, menageries, practice rings, workshops, and railroad yards. It was a spectacle of lights, sawdust rings, and distinctive music, where clowns, acrobats, and animal acts trained for the long summer months on the road, and performers from around the world entertained children of all ages. The Ringling Winter Quarters moved here from Bridgeport, Conn. in 1927 and helped bring prosperity to a city experiencing economic hard times. Each year's departing circus trains were eagerly anticipated. After the tragic fire at Hartford, Conn. on July 6th 1944, the circus returned home early that year. In 1951, the big blue tent known as the Big Top unfurled its flags here when Cecil B. DeMille produced his epic movie The Greatest Show on Earth. Sarasota remained home to countless circus performers, and the Winter Quarters moved from here to Venice, Florida in 1960.