Choose the area. Select a level, grassy or sand lot that can accommodate the large tent. Check that the ground can hold a 4- to 5-foot stake securely. If there is any doubt, drive a stake and see if it can be uprooted easily. If you still have any doubt, choose another lot.
Lay out the tent. Decide how the tent will be situated on the lot, starting from the center pole and measuring out. Remove the tent from the tent vehicle. Modern circuses have semi-trucks loaded with the tent and all tools, pole, rigging and supplies. Yesteryears saw individual horse-drawn wagons: one for poles, one for the tent, one for the tools, and so on. Removing the tent can still require many strong workmen, the number depending on the size of tent.
Drive the stakes. Use a sledgehammer with a 17-pound head and drive the one thousand 2- to 3-inch stakes into the ground. With a skillful crew, this can be done in 45 minutes. Tie the stakes to the tent.
Erect the first two poles. Insert the first two poles by hand. Place them under the tent with one on each side of the entrance. Using block and tackle, pull them up into a vertical position.
Add more poles. Put poles into place until there is an area big enough for an elephant.
Bring in the first elephant. Have an elephant keeper command an elephant harnessed to hoist the poles. The poles are securely tied to the under-part of the roof of the tent, and the elephant drags the bottom of the poles through the dirt until they stand in a vertical position. Continue putting up the poles using the elephant, until the area is roomy enough for another elephant.
Bring in more elephants. Use more elephants as the space inside the tent can accommodate them. After all, the more labor, the less time it takes to raise the tent.
Remove the entrance stakes. Clear the space in front of the entrance once the tent raising is complete. Instruct the elephants to pull out the stakes that obstruct the entrance. This is a safety precaution so circus audiences can enter the tent without tripping over ropes and spikes.