Gainesville — Cooke County resident David Belz may be one of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s most devoted fans.

The North Central Texas College employee has attended performances of the acclaimed circus for 40 consecutive years and treasures his collection of programs, posters and other Ringling Bros.  memorabilia.

He’s seen other circuses — the Gainesville Community Circus, Shrine Circus and Carson & Barnes Circus but for Belz, the “Greatest Show on Earth” tops them all.

He said he saw his first Ringling Bros. circus at Dallas Memorial Auditorium in 1972 and has seen the show every year since.

“I was working in Dallas and had always wanted to see Ringling Bros.,” he said. “I missed it a couple of times and then decided one year I had to make the circus.”

He isn’t trying to set any attendance records.

“I never set out with the idea to do 40 consecutive circuses,” Belz said. “Every year I just wanted to go to the circus again.”

Belz said he’s always been fascinated by live performances.

He’s been to countless Johnny Cash concerts and he’s seen Alan Jackson and other country crooners, but the circus has a special allure.

“It makes a kid out of you,” he said. “It mesmorizes. It just brings out what joy there can be in life.”

Belz said his favorite acts are the clown performances.

“Ringling Bros. has their own professional clown college and they’re the best in the world,” he said.

He’s also followed the careers of circus legends including David Larible and Gunther Gebel-Williams.

Belz’s son, David, Jr. and grandson, Kyon Montgomery are also devoted circus fans.

“I’ve taken my grandson four times,” Belz said. “The first time he was just a baby, and I don’t think he got much out it. This year, he realized what it’s all about.”

Belz said he attended his first circus alone and sometimes still goes solo.

Along with the beauty and daring, Belz has seen some frightening misshaps at the circus.

“One year, I saw a tight rope walker fall,” Belz said. “He had safety equipment, of course, but he got hurt pretty severely. It makes you realize anything can happen during a live performance.”

The animal acts are another story, Belz said, adding he believes Ringling Bros. treats its animals humanely. He said watching animals perform renews his respect for exotic animals.

“Going to the circus gives you a chance to see animals like elephants that may not always be on this earth,” he said.

He’s seen Ringling Bros. performances at Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Reunion Arena and most recently at American Airlines Center.

He hasn’t seen a circus in Las Vegas but if he does, Belz said his choice would be Circe du Soleil — an international production which combines gritty street performance with opulent sets and stunning visual effects.

Belz said he isn’t trying to set any records with his circus attendance but plans to continue seeing Ringling Bros. each year.

“I always enjoy it,” he said. “I look forward to it. Every year that goes by I sit there and think, ‘What can they do next?’ and every year they top the last year. The performers really put their hearts on the line.”