About Us
What We Do
What We Make
What We Make
We are the premier manufacturer of aerial circus equipment satisfying the needs of clients such as Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Brothers, summer camps and vacation resorts around the world.
What We Make
What We Make
What We Make
Bobby's Big Top, Inc. offers a full line of standard and custom aerial circus equipment and netting for a variety of needs. Check out some of what we have made!
Who We Are
What We Make
Who We Are
Bobby's Big Top, Inc. (BBT) was founded in 1989 by Bobby Bates, a veteran of the international flying trapeze and circus industry.
What We Do
OUR CLIENTELE
Since our incorporation in 1993 we have provided custom circus equipment and program support for a variety of clientele throughout the world.
Our clients include:
- Circus Professionals including Cirque du Soliel, Ringling Brothers, and numerous professionals around the world.
- Vacation Resorts Including, Breezes, Superclubs, Viva Whyndam, Club Med, Shangri-la and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line....just to name a few.
- Summer Camps all over the United States, with more than 25 to date.
- Municipal complexes and programs.
- Private studios, health centers, aerialist and even back yard enthusiasts!
- BBT has built 66 full size flying rigs.
NETTING PRODUCTS
Bobby's Big Top, has applied its flying trapeze net building expertise to a variety of needs. We have built nets to catch aerialists as well as drone aircraft and smoke jumpers!
We provide nets for baseball, softball, obstacle courses, lacrosse and other sports.
Our nets have been used in residential and professional design applications.
The quality of our netting is unmatched in the United States. Let us know what you need...we can help.
PSA announcement:
In the last few years net making competitors have come out using a very light netting called 210/180 or sometimes called #42 that has a breaking strength of just 330 lbs. One of the problems with this style is the square is small so the ridge rope can't pass thought the square the netting instead its lashed to the ridge rope therefore putting a shear force on the parallel cord of netting causing it to fail and zipper. Also since it's a thin netting with low break strength the life of the net from the 7 that I've replaced has been just under two years of service and suffered 20' zippers with flyers going through. This netting should never be used for trapeze nets especially the beds. One of the manufacturers the netting isn’t nylon its high tenacity polypropylene. Right now I’m making a net for a guy that had one of these nets it didn’t last a year before it started to fail. The netting I have in stock I import from Europe and has a 700 lb break strength and available in black or white. If you want the longest lasting net available Bobby's Big Top, Inc. is the best choice. While shopping around for a net company be sure to ask what the material is and the break strength they should be able to supply the factory spec sheet.
Thanks and see you in center ring!!
CUSTOM PRODUCTS
Although many products have industry standard specifications, we can and do make products custom to your specifications. We are happy to discuss your individual requirements, hopes and dreams for your own circus equipment and nets.
Netting Maintenance Tips
It's important to keep the apron off the bed if the apron is laying on the bed the friction between the two will cause the apron break down and eventually cut the apron.
Experience the Thrill of Bobby's Big Top, Inc.
If these guys trust BBT, Inc. you can too.
Never have peaks and valleys through your spreader system it will create a greater force on the single square at the peak.
Some of Our Products...
Flying Trapeze
Engineered Quad Rig
Engineered Quad Rig
BBT has made 64 flying trapeze rigs located from Moscow to Rio to Tokyo. All complete with anchors to belts tape and chalk. All parts and hardware are made in the USA. International shipping available by air or ocean.
Engineered Quad Rig
Engineered Quad Rig
Engineered Quad Rig
All aluminum construction to withstand any weather! Easy assembly with all hardware forged, galvanized and US made. This is the rig you have been waiting for!
Show Rig
Engineered Quad Rig
Show Rigs are 20' tall with a 12' crane bar and made with heavy duty aluminum just like we use with the flying trapeze rigs. They come complete with anchors, cable ratchets, guy wires, hardware and three eye bolts. The rigs can support a variety of aerial circus equipment.
$3,250 plus shipping
Nets
Flying trapeze nets in black or white. Material is premium knotless nylon with your choice of BBT MD black 600 lb break, BBT HD 700 lb break or BBT Mega HD 1,000 lb break strength. Nets are complete with spreaders and aprons.
Single/Double Trapeze
Single/Double Trapeze
Stainless steel bar with cable inside beautiful four strand cotton rope. Bar width and length of ropes made to customer specs.
$695
Bungee Pack
Single/Double Trapeze
Beautiful 4" stainless web shackles with HD bungee cord and Sunbrella Plus cover. Perfect for net side spreaders to give maximum bounce and add longevity to your flying trapeze net.
Swing Eye Bolts
Swing Eye Bolts
Swing Eye Bolts
US made eyebolt with bearing and Crosby SA shackle.
$310/set
Safety Belts
Swing Eye Bolts
Swing Eye Bolts
By far the best safety belts available for flying trapeze.
$165
Catch Trapeze
Swing Eye Bolts
Double-Wide Pedestal Board
There's a reason the busiest flying schools use BBT catch traps. Their durability and strength are unmatched!
$975
Double-Wide Pedestal Board
Double-Wide Pedestal Board
Double-Wide Pedestal Board
An all aluminum construction provides sleek design and the double width allows maximum room to move around.
Fly Bar
Double-Wide Pedestal Board
Fly Bar
Stainless material with C & C finish on eye creates smooth transition to connector.
$295
20' Engineered Quad
20' Quad: $3,250 USD
- This rig has an engineering stamp by a firm specializing in the aerial entertainment industry and meets ANSI E1.43 Standards.
- All aluminum construction that can withstand any weather.
- 18' x 18' Foot-print.
- Three-piece pinned leg sections.
- Foot pad is adjustable for uneven ground.
- Remove one leg section and you have a 14' Rig.
- Tie-off cleats at bottom of two legs, aka pin rail.
- Strap at base for leg support.
- 7'10" total crane bar length, 5'10" useable space underneath.
- Crane bar comes with three eyebolts, one center and two on ends near leg. Additional set can be added to customer specs for $45.
- All hardware is forged, galvanized and US made.
- Rig weight 295 lbs.
Shipping Information
The physical address will be needed for shipping quotes. It is important to note, commercial freight companies charge $75 for residential delivery and another $75 if a lift gate service is needed to get the crate off the truck to the ground. To avoid these charges, find a friend that has a commercial address and a fork truck to offload the crate. If you cannot find one, but have a truck or car with a trailer the crate can be sent "hold for terminal pickup" to avoid those charges. An large SUV with the seats down can accommodate the rigging. BBT does not use shipping as a profit center. You will receive our discount off rack rate! Rig comes completely enclosed in a wooden crate.
