Calliopes and the Bell Wagon

Calliopes (pronounced CAL•ee•ope by circus people) always signaled the end of the parade.  There were two types: steam calliopes and air calliopes.  Steam calliopes are very loud, shrill, and almost impossible to tune correctly. They were popular on circuses because of their distinctive sound which could be heard from miles away.  A steam calliope's sound comes from various whistles attached to a boiler, which are played through the use of a regular keyboard, like a piano.  The sound of a steam calliope is one of the characteristic sounds of the circus.  Air calliopes have a much more pleasant and mellow "toot" sound.

The Ringling Bell wagon is a much more unconventional parade feature, but it was a staple in Ringling parades since its 1892 construction.  It holds nine huge bells which have a combined weight of 4,300 pounds.  The operator plays the bells with the use of spring-loaded levers.