George A Hamid, Sr., rose from an acrobatic tumbling act in the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show to a millionaire and ownership of the famous Atlantic City Steel Pier. Hamid was orphaned early in life and came to America as a young boy to travel as a pyramid man in an acrobatic troupe. At the time of his death, he owned the New Jersey State Fair in Trenton, the three-ring Hamid-Norton Circus, the Boardwalk Bowl in Atlantic City, the Stadium Theater in Philadelphia, and Atlantic City's Ocean Wonderland. Hamid's education consisted of three grades in a primitive Arab school. He learned tumbling on the dirt streets of Broumana, Lebanon. In 1907, knowing there was no future for him in Lebanon, his grandmother sent him to join his uncle's acrobatic troupe, then touring with the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show in Marseilles, France. The following year, he arrived in the United States. He was taught to read and write english by Annie Oakley and was shown the in's and out's of show business by Buffalo Bill himself. But, nothing ever replaced Hamid's love for the circus. At thirteen, he won the Acrobatic World Championship. At seventeen, he owned his own act and in 1920, entered the act-booking business by opening one of the largest agencies for circus and outdoor talent that specialized in state and county fairs. He also aided in directing seven county fairs and three state fairs from 1931 to 1941. It was during this time that Hamid purchased the Million Dollar Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey. By then, he was considered by many to be the american authority of fairs, circuses and expositions. In 1936, he took control and ownership of the New Jersey State Fair and in 1945 acquired control of Atlantic City's famed Steel Pier - featuring the world famous high-diving horse and outdoor circus staged one-half mile at sea. 1932 was a pivotal year for Hamid when he, along with veteran circus producer, Bob Norton, combined their respective shows and formed Hamid-Morton Circus. Following the death of Bob Norton, Hamid-Norton Circus became known as Hamid Circus, Incorportated. This sawdust spectacular continues today under the guidance of Hamid's grandson and great-grandson and can be recognized as the preeminent leader in modern day sponsored circuses. Bio and pics by jerseygirl.