This can mean the span of a very few hours. The work is assigned to work crews who handle the tent known as the canvas crew, the seating, the electrical generators and wiring, the animals, and the various midway concession stands. Performers are typically responsible for setting up their own rigging at the appropriate time. Typically there will be one or two performances on set-up day, two performances on weekdays, and three performances on weekends. Immediately following the last show at a particular location, everything is dismantled and packed into trucks, after which everyone hits the road to the next town.
Circuses are like large families.
They tend to rely heavily on one another large due to the amount of work and interdependence involved, and the inability to form any contacts outside of the show since it is always moving. Children are home schooled by their parents or members of the show typically following correspondence school curricula. Holidays are often celebrated en masse , and weddings in the center ring are not uncommon. Hardships aside, there is never any shortage of excitement on the road. Every day deals up new and unusual events, from major catastrophes such as wind damage to the Big Top, wild animal attacks, vehicle accidents, and aerial accidents, to the merely humorous, such as a performer losing an article of clothing during a performance.