Last night, I took my girls and my mom to see the circus in Duluth at the Infinite Energy Arena. My mom and dad took me to see the circus when I was about 3 years old, but my mom hasn’t been in over 25 years.
We arrived early for the All Access Pre-Show, which is included with your ticket purchase. The pre-show starts an hour before the actual showtime. It’s your chance to get right into the action.
Everyone is invited down to the show floor to meet the performers, try on costumes, take pictures with the clowns, and get up close to one of the elephants. Also, be sure to enter for a chance to take home an exclusive piece of art painted by an elephant!
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus show is always evolving and adding new performances. We have been several times, and there is always something new to see.
From now until May 2016, the elephants will continue to be a part of the wonderful experience. Next year brings the first elephant-free circus in over 130 years.
All of the Asian elephants from their traveling circus units will be moved to their permanent home at the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation® in Florida in May 2016. There they will join the rest of the Ringling Bros. herd of Asian elephants, for a total of 42 at the Conservation Center.
The Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation is working toward a world with more elephants and less cancer. Despite their big size, elephants rarely get cancer. Dr. Schiffman and a team of researchers are studying why there is such a low incidence of cancer in elephants, what makes this cancer resistance possible in elephants and not in humans, and how these findings may one day lead to new treatments for pediatric cancers.
To learn more about Ringling Bros. successful breeding program and pediatric cancer research program visit http://www.ringlingelephantcenter.com.
With production of the next edition of The Greatest Show On Earth® underway, Feld Entertainment plans to unveil the details of Ringling Bros. newest, out of this world experience in April 2016. Visit http://www.ringling.com for the latest information.
Want to see the amazing elephants perform one last time? Get your tickets now! The last few shows in Georgia are on Saturday, February 27th and Sunday, February 28th at the Infinite Energy Arena.
Complimentary tickets were provided by Feld Entertainment, Inc., the parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®. All views and opinions are my own.
Seeing the elephants is so exciting, but I’m glad Ringling is moving away from them. I’d much rather see human performers who I know want to be there. I’d love to see the elephants in action one last time.
I didn’t know that elephants rarely get cancer. That is really surprising to me!
I grew up going to the circus with my parents every time it came to town and look forward to the beautiful animals retiring so I can enjoy the experience with my own children. The All Access Pre-Show and clowns look especially fun!
I’ve never been a huge fan of elephants being used at the circus but I’m so glad you decided to go on their last night before they get to relax and just be an elephant. 🙂
I had no clue that the elephants retire 🙁 I love this show and it won’t be the same with retired elephants. Glad you were able to go see them!
I haven’t been to a circus in years and years. I’m glad to hear some elephants are retiring – I’m not a fan of them in the circus. So I am loving this.
I haven’t been to a circus in years due to the poor treatment of the animals I have heard about in the past. I am glad to hear they are retiring the elephants. That’s a very interesting fact about them rarely getting cancer!
This is a really interesting post, filled with great pictures.
I did not realize how important elephants are in human cancer research – great stuff!
I haven’t gone to the circus since I was a kid due to the fact that how they treat their animals is inhumane. I am thrilled to see that they are finally retiring their elephants.
Sounds like you had a great time. I haven’t been to the circus is years! So much has changed since I was last under the big top!
I have never been! I’d love to see a circus, B&B would def be the best.
I heard about this and I’m so glad the elephants will go to a conservation. They should enjoy it. That girl clown is the best!
So many animal performances are becoming a thing of the past. I think it’s probably for the best but I’ll miss the elephants as part of the circus! It’s what I’ve known my whole life.
I bet that was awesome for you and your children to have all access before the circus! So much fun and great recap!
So great you had a chance to see the elephants before they retired. The circus really is a fun show to enjoy with family.