Did you ever go see the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Baily Circus?

If so, how many times and when?

It is closing after 146 seasons, and the animal rights people are happily calling this a victory.

I am glad to see animals, wild animals, re-homed back to natural habitats, but I am not glad to see the circus go away.

I went once or twice, probably once back in the 80s and again in the 90s, during my 20s and my 30s. I never saw it as a kid. I probably would have loved it even more, but I did enjoy myself.

...here's to the Ringling Bros; the sad clowns no longer have a home...

My parents took me when I was 4 or 5 and they pulled me and a little girl out of the audience to ride around the arena on a big carriage thing pulled by a team of horses during the parade part of the show. I kind of remember it. It would have been at Ft. Worth Convention Center or Will Rogers, '72 or '73. They gave me a large pin-on button.

Many times as a kid and once as an adult.

The RB&BB circus was a pretty big deal back in the 60's, people lined up along the route to see them as they rolled into town. I probably went 4-5 times back then and then a couple of times when the kids came along. Too bad seeing them go, I phones, video games and self absorption into the electronic age were bound to claim it sooner or later. I suspect PETA had little or nothing to do with it's demise and had more to do with lack of revenue due to low attendance but PETA will claim victory none the less.

I read about this in the paper this morning, and a spokesman for the circus was on the 5 pm news. He confirmed low tickets sales after removing the elephants last year, and continued PETA harassment set the stage, or should I say, hit the final nail.

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We went last year, it was thoroughly enjoyable

Well bye....

As a band director, this makes me very sad. The circus March is one of the most integral aspects of teaching band. I'd say 40-50% of marches were written for the circus. It's the end of an era for sure.

I miss bottle rockets a lot more. I would use bottle rickets daily. I haven't been to the circus in years.

Just once when I was 11 or 12. Even with elephants, I don't think kids are "WOWed" by the circus they way they use to be.

Took my kiddos about 5 years ago. The stunt motorcycle show was incredible

This is what happens when people give in to the bully political agendas. People want elephants, and fat guys like donuts

They shouldn't have fed the lion.

for those that havent been that often , no need to worry. The animal rights have set their target on the circus and won. Now , their sights are set on the ZOO's.....They wish to do with the zoo's what they done to the circus.

I can see why a person feels for animals and are against zoos and sea worlds. It's like putting a fish in a 10" tank, when it could be in an entire lake.

However, the PETA people are a simply a terror organization that goes too far. Of course, in their minds, they think caging and exploiting animals is going too far. They are extreme...watch below.

Addendum I: I made on right-turn in my own topic, but the video is sadly funny.
Addendum II: I will sort of miss, the circus.

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Parents took me and my bro just about every other year growing up, and I've been once as an adult (not as impressive as an adult, but still a good time). It was pretty cool as a kid, but I'm not sure kids are entertained by anything not on a portable screen these days...

I don't see the circus ending we still have the TFF OT

Yes, Mr. Jacob, I never thought about it, but I bet the Ringling Bros. did/does have a great band.

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another thing from my childhood that has gone away

The saddest part is the out of work carnies how will the state of Oklahoma ever recover

There will be a bunch of mobile homes in foreclosure soon. Sucklahoma's economy is going to collapse.

Always went to the circus every year growing up as a kid in Tulsa. Everything changes, nothing is permanent.

I've got a lot of fun memories stored up in this p-size brain of mine about B&B Circus over the years....I'm just really sad for my Uncle, momma, FIL, grandma, and 6 cousins. They all gonna be outta work and they all need teef repwacement!!

Prayers Sent.............

Tradition to go to the circus parade as a kid and later to the circus. Great times.Sad to see it go.

They care for animals more than than they do unborn children.

I don't care about the circus. Can't believe it lasted as long as it did.

PETA sucks.

so they should rename their organization, The Sierra Club(also unborn children)
The National Rifle Association & the Advocacy of Unborn Children

We have taken the kids to the Shriners Circus a couple of times. They still enjoy it. There was a purple haired girl that was protesting and everyone was laughing at her.

Never went to one growing up, but went twice in the last year with my kiddo (2 year old). The small ones that come through town are really cool. Last one was at the rodeo grounds and some of those folks had some real talent. Spinning on those things way up in the air, no safety net, no ropes. Pretty insane.

will bull dogging be next?

lame

The Clinton Global Initiative announces they're shutting down the same week as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus announces a shutdown.

Coincidence? I think not.

I saw an Elephant chit a full size hay bale of dung one day in Reunion arena. It to 2 33 gallon trash cans to clean it up.
It was the 2nd most impressive thing I witnessed in Reunion arena.

I saw a real unicorn at the circus once, but it was a goat. Maybe they should get a Godzilla gator to help with ticket sales, but Peta would not like that either, so there is no hope.

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A few times when I was a kid.
Took my son twice. The 2nd time, he was pretty meh.

I think it's because kids nowadays are not thrilled as much.
Then again, it definitely has changed since I used to go (not as much crazy stunts, and far more singing and lollygagging).

Plus, there's no "good seat". You only get a good view for half the acts, and those that you can view, are very far away.

Makes sense why not many show up.

I always that the zoo and circus sucked even as a kid.

I'd hold out 4 more years and make it 150.

Mr. U-Shctick,
That's actually a nice idea, but due to the pulling of the pachyderms in 2015, ticket sales plummeted. They would continue to dive down each year for the next 4 years, culminating in performers probably receiving no pay in 2020 and 2021.

For the circus to last 4 more years, the performers would have to volunteer and accept living expenses as reimbursement.

I'm guessing the "Clown College" will not be resurrected. It met it's demise in the late 90s. I wonder if PETA claims responsibility of killing the university/school?

Addendum: Kim, my housemate, dated a guy once who went to the clown college in Wisconsin. She said he was funny, but she does not brag about the former relationship.

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Be A Clown!

The RB circus is closing because ticket sales are down because PETA went after then over their animals , the elephant's and tigers mainly . They are getting rid of animals slowly , they are tired of PETAs' hassling . I know a person who works on those trains and I spoke with that person and that's what they told me .

PETA does suck,whats next rodeo's? calf roping ,steer wrestling

Yes, here is what is probably next...

Zoos
Rodeos
Animal shelters
Animal sanctuaries
Pets cooped up in homes...they want all animals to be free, unencumbered by the horrors of man and woman altogether!

Circus's all over the world are all the same......they stink!