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Her whole adult life Gina was a circus aerialist. The last circus she was in was the Paul Kaye Circus in Japan. Paul’s ex-wife was Judy Kaye. For 16 years Judy flew as Tinker Bell in Disneyland. Gina asked Paul how Judy got the job to fly as Tink and he told her to go ask at Disneyland. When she came back stateside, she went to Disneyland to apply. That following season she was zipping down the line as Tinker Bell.

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These are the people that kept Gina safe for over 21 years as she flew 150 feet in the air. This is ¾ of her Tink Crew. Gina is wearing the blue “robe” over top of her Tink outfit so they can sneak her across the park to the Matterhorn. 

Can you identify anyone in the photo?

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If I Could Live 400 Years

Coming soon! 

An excerpt from Gina’s biography “If I Could Live 400 Years” that was published in the Theme Parkology Magazine coming out in June 2018.

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When Gina Rock flew across the Disneyland castle for the fireworks, this is what she wore. Her outfit was covered with mirrors to reflect the light to appear that she was sparkling. This photo was taken inside the top of the Matterhorn Bobsleds with one of her Tink Crew.

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For those of you who do not know, Bob Yerkes was a stuntman and aerialist. He was the stuntman for Boba Fett in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983). He first discovered Gina during a gymnastics tournament when she was in high school. He offered to train her in the ways of a circus performer.  This photo was taken in his backyard which is full of rigging, trampolines, tightropes, and other equipment aerialists would use. He has trained many actors and stunt performers.  Upon her retirement from flying, Gina gave Bob this photo of her as Tinker Bell with the plaque that reads; “In Appreciation to Bob Yerkes Thank You For My Wonderful Circus Career Gina Rock 1974-2005″

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Here is Gina Rock only 3 years before becoming Tinker Bell. Across from her is Mitzi Ramos of the Flying Ramos. Wouldn’t it be great to be 22 years old in Circus Circus again? (Circa 1980 or late 1970′s, Las Vegas) 

Is that a phone with a cord?

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These are the shoes Gina Rock wore while she was flying across the Disneyland castle for the nightly fireworks. There is a little snap on the front to hold a clear borble with illuminating lights. That way Tinker Bell can be seen from all the way down Main Street. If you want to read more about Gina, visit FlyingTinkerBell.org

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Ringling Brothers Tribute - Published on January 16, 2017

Thank you to the Feld Family for a wonderful experience

This piece comes from a performer who shared two years with the famous Circus, Ringling Bros. I first would like to state for the record that I was proud to be part of this wonderful Circus History of Ringling Bros. and give a heartfelt thank you to the Feld family for making this 146-year piece of history to be so magical for both the performers as well as their audiences across the U. S. As a kid growing up in the 60’s, it was a time when this type of live show that included the animal acts were accepted.

Although I do not believe that animals should be locked up in small cages, especially large lions, tigers, and bears, it is important that the truth be told from those that lived behind the scenes of the Red or Blue curtain about the way these animals were handled. I believe that nature does not dictate for man to control large wild animals, but many were raised since birth in a human habitat environment, and many would never survive in the wild after the wonderful care they received at Ringling. There may be more hunters either maiming animals or killing them for sport, food or jewelry in the wild, but these animals had a chance to live long healthy lives that made up a huge portion of these shows.

I had the honor of working beside one of the most famous lion tamers,” Gunther Gebel Williams,” Red Show Circuit, and it can be said that watching this man raise his own tigers, feeding them, caring for them and making sure they had everything they needed was a daily task, always done with the love and care, and clearly they adored this trainer. The two years I was employed by Ringling Bros. for the Bicentennial edition in 1976 and 1977 and had the opportunity to get to know the elephant I rode, the joy of our interaction daily was one I looked forward to. I would bring carrots and bread to him before the show and he always looked happy to see me, and no doubt this large animal knew who I was. The performers were witness to routine daily feeding, and weekly grooming of the elephants which included their love for bathing, and frolicking with large inner tube tires, truly a delight to watch.

Many of my fondest memories stem from running away with Ringling Bros. Circus at the age of 19, living on a train, and performing with different cultures from all over the world. The Feld family provided an exciting opportunity for those not born into the Circus world.

Many thanks to the Feld family for providing employment to so many talented performers and those that contributed behind the scenes. These shows will be missed by many. I am confident that the retiring animals will be well taken care of and doubtless will miss their loving caretakers and trainers.

Gina R

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Gina took this photo from the top of the Matterhorn in September 2005 on the last night of her last flight.