Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus will close this May after 146 years

[Werewolf]

It is a little sad to see another bit of Americana coming to end. But it has been a very long time coming. I don't remember circuses being a big deal even when I was kid. I never wanted to go to one.
Tastes have changed and people have so many more options in entertainment.

Won't be surprised to see the name bought and brought back in a few years as some Cirque style show. Maybe a Las Vegas event style thing, or Broadway.

I can see that. It was just too costly to keep doing a traveling show that massive. It was purely an economic decision.

[Earth 2 Chris]

We went to see Ringling Bros. almost every year. I've lost track of the times we've seen it. So our whole family was really bummed to hear this. They've been integrating Cirque type elements into their shows for many years now.

We saw the show back in the fall for the first time without the elephants. It was still a very entertaining show, and they added more "Ninja Warrior" type stunts to appeal to the kids.

I'm glad my kids got to experience this. Families need more things like this to do together, not less. There is only so much time a family of four should spend droned out in front of four tiny screens.

Chris

[Hector]

I'm sad for all the animals who had to endure more of a century of abuse. Hopefully, they will all retire to actual caring humans.

[Hector]

But I'm not giving PETA any credit, quite the opposite...as they are one of the most hypocritical so called animal rights organization out there.

The Vice President is a diabetic who takes animal tested insulin shots, and dismisses her treatments, all in the name of keep on living to fight for animal right. Yeah, great, how convenient. How about bypassing that, and try natural non-animal means?

Did you know PETA euthanizes animals at their shelters?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/05/pets-shelter-euthanization-rate_n_6612490.html

It's all about the money for them.

I adopted my two little dogs from a non-kill shelter.

Contribute to actual righteous animal organizations like the World Wildlife Foundation and your local no-kill animal shelters.

PETA is a disgrace...they can kiss my arze.

[Duncan]

I hope there's a last minute deal to save the human acts & name of the circus. It would be a great fit as a permanent part of Disney's Animal Kingdom.

[Goblin19]

There are a lot of talented people in the circus. That's sad, but the animal acts were definitely a thing of the past.

[binkystarr]

About 11 years ago when I was attending NMSU I worked for the Special Events Dept and got to work for Ringling Bros. It was an honor however, they couldn't sell tickets at all. They were severely dying and sadly, im not amazed. Im only wondering now as to how awful it is for these legendary performers? They are beyond amazing and im sad that the circus is dying, a dying art.

[PNGwynne]

I hope there's a last minute deal to save the human acts & name of the circus. It would be a great fit as a permanent part of Disney's Animal Kingdom.

I like this idea.

[z3zep]

Like others, I feel sad only for nostalgia's sake. I went several times as a kid and I was quickly bored. I did love the flashlight on the string though. ha ha!

[TrekStar]

Well it's very sad to see this end, but if you think about it, those Lions and Tigers being whipped to do stunts, was in a way kind of cruel, but these shows and animal acts were the thing of the day, especially in those early years, and what did they do with the wild animals once they got to old? maybe a zoo, someone had to care for them, or were they put down after they served there purpose? It's hard to believe today's society is not interested in seeing circus acts in person.