The Big Top is Closing

[Black94lt1]

ELLENTON, Fla. — After 146 years, the curtain is coming down on “The Greatest Show on Earth.” The owner of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus told The Associated Press that the show will close forever in May.

The iconic American spectacle was felled by a variety of factors, company executives say. Declining attendance combined with high operating costs, along with changing public tastes and prolonged battles with animal rights groups all contributed to its demise.

“There isn’t any one thing,” said Kenneth Feld, chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment. “This has been a very difficult decision for me and for the entire family.”

The company broke the news to circus employees Saturday night after shows in Orlando and Miami.

Ringling Bros. has two touring circuses this season and will perform 30 shows between now and May. Major stops include Atlanta, Washington, Philadelphia, Boston and Brooklyn. The final shows will be in Providence, Rhode Island, on May 7 and in Uniondale, New York, at the Nassau County Coliseum on May 21.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/national/apnewsbreak-ringling-bros-circus-to-close-after-146-years/2017/01/14/672bfe94-dad0-11e6-a0e6-d502d6751bc8_story.html

[mrvette]

What a damn shame, saw them once, long ago ......jeez near 50 years?? can't be.....:sadangel:

[Stevedore]

Short career for their new ringmaster. (ringmistress?) I wonder if she knew?

First Female Ringmaster (http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/2017-01-13/florida-woman-first-female-ringmaster-history-ringling-bros-and-barnum)

[DAB]

That's all folks!

[04 commemorative]

What a damn shame, saw them once, long ago ......jeez near 50 years?? can't be.....:sadangel:

That's why they're closing low attendance and rising costs.....I'm just as guilty.

[Fasglas]

When I was a kid, arrival of the Circus Train was a big deal. When the train was unloaded, there was a parade to the site where everything was set up.

Been a long time...


CIRCUS TRAIN on the move - YouTube

[Dan Dlabay]

Hate to hear this. Have seen the circus several times and it was always a good show.:cert:

[VITE1]

Been to them and others a few time in my life. We use to have a small circus visit LI and set up just down the road from my home back in the 1960's. We'd go every year.

The area they use to use is now a strip mall.

[Black94lt1]

Short career for their new ringmaster. (ringmistress?) I wonder if she knew?

First Female Ringmaster (http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/2017-01-13/florida-woman-first-female-ringmaster-history-ringling-bros-and-barnum)

I thought the same thing, seems like they didn't need to bother

[Iron Chef]

I dunno...I'm no fan of PETA or any of these other (sometimes) over-zealous animal rights groups, but they do have a point. Carting animals around on a train from city to city so they can jump through hoops? Meh...not what I'd consider to be entertainment.