The Greatest Show on Earth is coming to an end after an astonishing 146 years of performances.

The Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey circus is coming to an end!! The announcement of the end came earlier this month from Feld Entertainment which has owned the circus for more than 50 years. Feld owns many other entertainments such as Marvel Universe LIVE!, Monster Jam, Monster Energy Supercross, AMSOIL Arenacross, and Disney On Ice and Disney Live!, according to Kenneth Feld.

The CEO Kenneth Feld stated “The circus and its people have continually been a source of inspiration and joy to my family and I, which is why this was such a tough business decision to make. The decision was even more difficult because of the amazing fans that have become part of our extended circus family over the years. We are extremely grateful to the millions of families who have made Ringling Bros. part of their lives for generations. We know Ringling Bros. isn’t only our family business, but also your family tradition.”

The Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey circus shows include an array of acts. Many of the acts that are performed include the use of animals like lions and tigers. Along with animal performances, the circus also features motorcycle acts, as well as the classic circus acts like clowns. The show used to involve elephants in their shows, up until last year when they were phased out.

The Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey circus has become an annual event for many families across the United States of America. Matt Parker, a senior student from Air Academy High School states that “the circus was the best part of my childhood. It was the highlight of my summer when the circus would come to town.” 

Once the elephants were phased out ticket sales began to drop, which lead to a domino effect of problems for the circus. The apparent decline in ticket sales and high operating costs “made the circus an unsustainable business for the company” according to Kenneth Feld. You can only wonder if the circus ticket sales are declining because of the recent clown terrors across the United States of America. I mean, let’s face it, most of the population now finds clowns to be very scary.

However, it is not too late to see “The Greatest Show on Earth” The Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey will continue to perform shows across the United States of America. Feld states that the circus “will conclude its tour at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island, on May 7, 2017. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Out Of This World will conclude its tour at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, on May 21, 2017.

If you have not already seen the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus acts, then I highly recommend that you take your family and friends to the nearest show and witness for yourself “Greatest Show on Earth”.