Ringling Bros Circus Closing Down

[bayonetbrant]

permanently

https://www.apnews.com/020bc7b2f16f4446ade338bcf4a500ed

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.

[Staggerwing]

That is too bad.  :(

So far 2017 isn't showing much promise.

[Gusington]

Depressing. I don't even like circuses but this still is...depressing.

[MetalDog]

Have great memories of seeing the Ringling Brothers circus when I was a kid.  Gunther Gebel-Williams, the famous lion tamer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunther_Gebel-Williams , did his show.  Pretty amazing to a ten year old.

[Grim.Reaper]

Not a big fan of circus either, but still tough to see it go away after being around so long....

[besilarius]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sV7gWad9jA

The definition of Innocence and Lion Taming.

[Sir Slash]

My wife and I went to their museum in Sarasota, Fl. this past September. It's a great place to see but the show itself had been struggling for years to stay financially stable and it's end was probably unavoidable. Too bad. I hope they find someplace really nice to put all the animals in the show.  :'(  But if not, should be one hell of a Bar-B-Q after the last show.  :bd:

[jamus34]

Sad but not surprising.

[Windigo]

*cough* thread title spelling *cough* *cough*

Ringling, not Ringing.

L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-) L:-)

[Emeraldlis]

So sad , end of an era ......and where do unemployed clowns go anyhow  ???

[bayonetbrant]

and where do unemployed clowns go anyhow  ???

Congress / Parliament

[Emeraldlis]

and where do unemployed clowns go anyhow  ???

Congress / Parliament

.......does that mean we get to throw custard pies at them !!!! ;D oh the joy ....I'd definately want to see that  :D

[besilarius]

Nah!  Feral clowns are released into wooded areas near grade schools.

[Sir Slash]

The female workers shouldn't have too hard a time getting work. I understand they all have a 'Big Top'.  :DD

[Arctic Blast]

So sad , end of an era ......and where do unemployed clowns go anyhow  ???

They're ushered straight into Hell.