Cliff Vargas

The grandson of Portuguese circus owners, Clifford E Vargas founded Circus Vargas with three trucks and eight animals. The circus grew to include 150 animals and up to 300 employees, and is billed as the largest traveling tented circus in the world.

It was primary importance to master showman Cliff Vargas that the circus with his be just that, a CIRCUS. In the mid-1960s Clifford E Vargas began laying the foundation that would lead, not only to his recognition, but also to his domination of the world of circus.

A restless, hyperactive, "hands-on" entrepreneur, Vargas involved himself in every aspect of Circus Vargas, taking tickets, tending animals, counseling his employees and serving occasionally as ringmaster.

Vargas' mission to rejuvenate the Big Top was undoubtedly influenced by his childhood fascination with the circus. He was a frequent spectator at circuses that every year visited his hometown of Livermore, California, where his Portuguese-descended family maintained a farm. Vargas began as the ticket seller, doorman and ringmaster. During his life with the circus, he transformed it into a three-ring spectacular, traveling the world and competing with the best of the best, all the while in old circus style canvas tents.