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Photos and captions by Mark Kissling

I have to admit it: I’m biased toward the American Sign Museum (Cincinnati) as my favorite sign museum anywhere (and there are other good ones). Founded by the man who hired me, Tod Swormstedt, the museum celebrated its 10th anniversary at its current location in the Camp Washington part of town on June 18. The sold-out event provided local sign lovers with the unveiling of an enormous new space that just about doubles the exhibit space.

A circus theme infused the museum with energy, excitement and entertainment everywhere you looked. An effervescent crowd gathered outside the museum before the doors opened at 7 p.m. Families milled about the “Main Street” area, with its familiar, classic Holiday Inn and McDonald’s signs until the reveal of the new exhibit area an hour later.

The buzz was palpable as the crowd entered the huge new room featuring row upon row of “new”mounted signs above and activities everywhere surrounding a stage in the center. I lost track of time and when I checked, it was nearly 10 p.m., closing time. And so here, I try to provide a sense of the circus, the signs and the amazing success that is the American Sign Museum. Check it out when you can!

A rare beautiful day in Cincinnati allowed the crowd gathering for the event to enjoy the wait. Well, almost everyone.

This banner hung above the museum entrance, fastened to the feet of the giant genie, who stands above holding a “Welcome” sign.

Many dressed in circus costumes spared no lavish detail, from clothing to makeup and hair, such as this young woman dispensing popcorn from the hoops of her skirt.

When you go to a museum, you get a dose of history, as was the case when I ran into the museum-supporting brother of the founder and former editor of Signs of the Times, Wade Swormstedt (right). Wade is wearing a classic “Sign Police” shirt from about 25 years ago and my (left) Signs of the Times shirt is almost as old, too.

Terrific music was provided at the event by Burning Caravan. Here they’re set up in front of one of the reconstructed barn sign walls in the dining area of the museum.

Museum founder Tod Swormstedt (right) joined in the fun, dressed as a bearded lady. My very good friend John Fischer (left), here with Tod and wearing a different-styled “Sign Police” shirt, is a former associate editor for Signs of the Times.

Many of the costumes worn by the outstanding volunteers for this event reflected the style of the 1920’s.

Just prior to 8 p.m., an anxious crowd gathered on “Main Street” to await the big reveal of the new space and signs.

This was my first glance into the new room, which you can see under the archway covered with balloons. The light from the signs was like a magnet, pulling everyone in.

Just inside the room, you can see the attention paid to the sight lines, so that upon entering the new space, you see a huge number of signs at the same time.

To the left in the new room, here is one of the myriad performers in front of a number of newly displayed hanging signs.

To the right in the new space, this classic Pontiac sign really caught my attention. With its classic neon glow, it dominates its portion of the room.

Dance Fix, a Cincinnati-based dance team appearing at the event in full circus dress, performed brilliantly both on the stage and in front of it.

A close-up of one of the new hanging signs, and the next row of signs seen beneath gives you an idea of how many of the new signs are displayed.

As you might imagine at a circus-themed event, clowns were everywhere, some more scary than others.

An airbrush artist was on site, kindly offering her talent as a donation to the museum.

What kind of circus would be complete without a Fortune Teller booth? Yep, one was there.

Here are a few of the signs in the back of the room, turned on for the crowd to see and enjoy, but awaiting their final homes on display.

The Signmaker’s Circus was an incredible event and even if you missed it, there’s now (approximately) twice the space, many more signs and every reason to visit the American Sign Museum in Camp Washington, Cincinnati!

20 Photos from the “The Signmaker’s Circus”

20 Photos from the “The Signmaker’s Circus”

Photos and captions by Mark Kissling

I have to admit it: I’m biased toward the American Sign Museum (Cincinnati) as my favorite sign museum anywhere (and there are other good ones). Founded by the man who hired me, Tod Swormstedt, the museum celebrated its 10th anniversary at its current location in the Camp Washington part of town on June 18. The sold-out event provided local sign lovers with the unveiling of an enormous new space that just about doubles the exhibit space.

A circus theme infused the museum with energy, excitement and entertainment everywhere you looked. An effervescent crowd gathered outside the museum before the doors opened at 7 p.m. Families milled about the “Main Street” area, with its familiar, classic Holiday Inn and McDonald’s signs until the reveal of the new exhibit area an hour later.

The buzz was palpable as the crowd entered the huge new room featuring row upon row of “new”mounted signs above and activities everywhere surrounding a stage in the center. I lost track of time and when I checked, it was nearly 10 p.m., closing time. And so here, I try to provide a sense of the circus, the signs and the amazing success that is the American Sign Museum. Check it out when you can!