Ringling Bros.' final act

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus proved to be a balancing act that couldn't balance the bottom line. With ticket sales declining, the circus is putting on its final performances this spring, ending what has been a remarkable 146-year run. Lee Cowan visits Baraboo, Wisconsin, where Ringling's first started, and talks with Big Top performers and fans whose connections to the circus span decades
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[@richardzellers]

REPLY To Animal Rights comments: I was the traveling teacher for Ringling Bros and lived on the train. I NEVER saw any mistreatment of animals. I was with the circus 24/7 and I saw the opposite. I was once interviewed after I left the circus by an animal rights group and they kept trying to put words in my mouth, leading questions, etc. The never used my interview because it didn't serve their purpose. FACT, I was there, behind the scenes, ALL THE TIME. If there had been bad behavior, I would've seen it.

[@isai267]

How do you explain the abuse of elephants on the videos? Now STFU

[@trevorthesorcerer]

@@isai267 I heard animal activists sent spy’s the only people aloud with animals backstage was there trainers so that means that trainers was a animal activities.

[@kevp9601]

We will Never Forget You, Ringling Bros. Circus Show. We will Never Forget You. 😢😢😢

[@deadchannel4792]

One of the saddest parts is that they couldn't finish on their 150th anniversary.

[@margui6224]

One of the HAPPIEST parts if that they could not turn their 150th anniversary.

[@macmacmacauley]

@@margui6224 shouldn't abuse animals then should they

[@wisdomriver6288]

@@macmacmacauley what I find interesting, why wait 146 years before people made a stink? Doesn't make sense.

[@macmacmacauley]

@@wisdomriver6288 People didn't wait . People was lied to and believed it . Then years later the truth came out. You might be happy to watch animals in pain but others are not and that's why they got the ringlin bros shut down

[@wisdomriver6288]

@@macmacmacauley I don't like seeing animals in pain, I'm more upset about the fact that thousands of people lost their jobs and their homes and the circus is all they know and thry now are forced to start life over completely.

[@erickirk6966]

I would agree with the Dr. Seuss quote, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus had a good run, doing all that it could to stay relevant, and producing countless memories. And another saying is "all great things must end at some point".

[@brittanymale9481]

Brittany male hi ok me seeeyou it. Be. You. Yes at be okon. Me ok oj

[@daa4309]

I'm so glad that these videos are now on KZbin. I never got a chance to go to the Ringling brothers Circus growing up. Money was scarce and it was just too many of us to take everybody. But I'm grateful that they created the Circus. In my mind as a child, this was the greatest show on earth. The elephants was always my favorite act. I got the chance to go to a much smaller circus when I was 18 and I was so thrilled. But At least I can watch clips that are posted.😊

[@vannerz764]

Don’t ignore the circus bug my friend. Spread joy, go to circuses and take friends with you whenever you can

[@mostlynull]

Sad to see this happen. I remember years ago when I was a child going to the Ringling Circus. It's still one of my greatest memories.

[@Soul270952]

UTAUxKURENAI well what you witnessed was animal abuse and you just didn't know it so I wouldn't be so sad

[@renaldothegeography8150]

UTAUxKURENAI I was 8 when I saw the elephant act still miss that I'm 11 now

[@stonesies]

Same, it makes me want to cry to see my childhood being closed down :(

[@raymondsoto2072]

Lily How were they being abused

[@련수-n2h]

Lily there childhood memories they were kids they didn't know it was good though

[@bettierusso5410]

This broke my heart when it happened and still breaks my heart now. The Circus brought every one of us Wonder & Magic as a child. The Circus brought us Dumbo and He is still a cherished memory of the circus. Millions of children will never get to feel that magic. Only on the screen now and it is a mournful tear for future generations. The new Dumbo movie touches the Circus magic and sadly, the generations watching the new and old movies will never have the chance to experience it for themselves. I will never forget going, taking my children, and my grandchildren before it closed.

[@williamworth2746]

It’s because of crybaby leftists

[@Annie605]

I am 75 now, and I have wonderful memories of the circus coming to town. The elephants would walk in and the lions and tigers would be in beautiful wagons and the clowns and acrobats would be dancing and doing tricks. It was all so magical and wonderful. When they got to the empty !ot where the circus would be, they would set up tents and you could smell pop corn and cotton candy. My brother and I would be allowed to help wash the elephants, as well as other small jobs.I loved when the circus came to town. Without the circus I would have never gotten to love the elephants, or ever seen one up close. As I got older I would see the way the animals were treated if they didn't perform correctly and the tiny cages and small train cars that the animals were kept in and I started feeling bad for my beloved elephants. Its a sad and happy ending to a great show. I won't ever see another elephant in real life, but it will be the price I pay for their better life of freedom. I will always remember the summers the circus came to town.

[@S1CKTR1CKY]

Annie605 but they don't get set free. They continue living with their owners.

[@margui6224]

Annie: You don't lose anything with the closing of this circus. These places are horrible for wild animals that deserve to be in their habitats. Same for those marines parks that abuse wild marine animals like orcas and dolphins. I can't wait for the Miami Seaquarium and SeaWorld to close forever.

[@Joseph-v6y]

Margui622 what about the zoo’s of America in the early days do you think that those animals went willingly even then in a zoo is most likely better then being potched

[@izzet7484]

Annie605 ok boomer

[@deedeemcgovern5650]

I grew up a kid with this circus in NYC

[@tech45]

To Animal rights groups I hope your happy,you brought down a AMERICAN TRADITION :(

[@LoneWolfes]

Yeah but now there being shot. Killed for fun.

[@margui6224]

Not true. They will be protected in sanctuaries.

[@margui6224]

I'm so happy because the New American Tradition will be observe animals in their habitat. Out with the old.

[@ParkerPlays2005]

Now onto closing rodeos,and Carson and Barnes circus shrine circus and UniverSoul circus! Get the animals to sanctuaries

[@macmacmacauley]

Animals now safe thank God

[@KellyAMR]

Mom took us to their show and I missed it as they locked the doors and we were on rides, when we heard that announcement we ran and was too late.

[@SuperstarCandy]

Don't worry, we still have Cirque du Soleil, Universoul, and Big Apple circus

[@ParkerPlays2005]

UniverSoul is bad,never heard of big apple, and cirque del soliel is good

[@chaosdemonwolf1]

@@ParkerPlays2005 None of em will compare to RB&BB...........ever...........

[@ParkerPlays2005]

chaosdemonwolf1 But RB&BB abused elephants... And tigers....

[@chaosdemonwolf1]

@@ParkerPlays2005 Was there real proof? Or did the animal rights activists have too many hormones and or testosterone?. I live in the UK and while I agree against abuse of animals or any other living thing, it just seems funny that a circus that was around for 147 years would do something like that 'knowing' they'd get busted

[@ghostbarb]

When I was a child, my parents made sure I got to see Ringling Brothers. When my son was a child, I made sure he got to see Ringling Brothers, in fact many times. It saddens me greatly to know that my grandchildren will never have the opportunity to see The Greatest Show On Earth. I did watch the final performance via live stream and I cried at the very end.

[@margui6224]

You cried for losing this circus. I was so happy for its closing, a place of animal abuse. Wild animals should live in the wild. This was one the best news I ever heard. I hope more circuses that use animals close down forever.

[@etdrwho8328]

@@margui6224 yes the tigers got beaten and abused. If they did the dude would probably get mauled.

[@Joseph-v6y]

Margui622 what about the pigs you eat the chickens you eat and the cows? once all animals where wild are you against the idea of dogs? We did domesticate them

[@Vixen1409]

@@margui6224 they can never go back in to the wild their used to routine since they were domestic and their claws most likely dull along with their teeth they'll die if their set free

[@XivioOfTheGreen]

Tell me...Do you want to go? Where it's covered in all the colored lights?

[@Alexa-ot6fo]

Where the runaways are running the night!

[@marygerlach3445]

I will miss you Ringling Brothers

[@intergalactichumanempire9759]

Mary Gerlach I've always wanted to go to the Ringling Brothers, but I never got the chance. Oh well.

[@spectrumlocalb191]

No you had the chance you just did not make the time.Why is everything always an excuse.Look in the mirror you had time to go see that awful movie though didn't you?

[@tsommers3284]

Mary Gerlach Look up at how they treated their animals. Watch what they did to the baby elephants. Nothing but torture. Thank God this torture chamber is shutting down!

[@julien7504]

spectrumlocalb191 Well, when you don’t make time, you don’t get the chance do you?

[@vaccumsealed]

This video says the circus started in Barabou, but what about Florida? I always heard Ringling began in Sarasota cause theres a town there called Ringling. I almost went to Ringling School of Art and Design there in Sarasota.

[@chrismkimmel1]

68 mopar it started in Baraboo Wisconsin!

[@JayInDecent]

68 mopar i grew up in Sarasota. i remember driving by the Ringling camp. its between sarasota and venice.

[@vaccumsealed]

jknochel76 see?! I KNEW there was some history there with Ringling Bros.

[@Clownboy15]

The Ringlings were originally from Baraboo, Wisconsin. They started out in music halls and theaters and eventually built up to perform under canvas. They also wound up having a respectable menagerie including an elephant. Back then you were not considered a real circus until you had an elephant. They came to be one of the best circuses in the US, second only to Barnum and Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth. When Barnum died, Bailey took the show on an extended tour of Europe that lasted about three years. While gone, the Ringlings started to do tours on the east coast, which was considered Barnum's territory. By the time the Greatest Show on Earth returned to the US, they were now second fiddle to the Ringlings. When Bailey died, his widow sold the show to the Ringlings and they toured separately until 1919 when it became the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Combined Shows. They used the winter quarters in Florida because it was a much better climate for the animals.

[@vaccumsealed]

Richard Kirsch u seem inclined with much much detail to the background. Do you work for them or have you? I never paid much attention towards it being two circuses, so was one from Wisconsin and the other Florida?

[@Panamabill99]

just sad. Kids have nothing to dream about or wonder about. None of these things can be found with a PlayStation joy stick and the future is just to sad to think about. I rode a shopping cart down a hill and got banged up and skinned up but they are still some of the best days of my life. riding wheelies and jumping off home made ramps. Got dirty and bruised and would not trade it for all the helmets in Walmart. dealing with pain and stupid mistakes is what builds a strong grown up that learns to press ahead and never give up. Now first time someone shows them how average they are they freak out and never heal. Parents got so protective and its changed everything. Eat right all the time and never do anything crazy and you have wasted a life. My kids are nuts and I love it. successful friendly and swinging the world by the tail. I'm a happy dad

[@tigerwareagle1485]

Camilla Johansson Oh boo hoo. You’re one sad liberal. Let me play a sad song on the world’s smallest piano.

[@1javixD]

I mean time changes, get over it. I bet people who played with bricks said the same thing when you started playing with your barbies.

[@KellyAMR]

Wow tears, a part of America going away due to complacent America.

[@belfiore_18]

Yah well they did nt give a crap it made them rich

[@belfiore_18]

Do you know where Alexander Lacey is going w the cats and the other animals b/c he raised them. Big Cat Rescue is a wonderful sanctuary here in Fla and I was informed that RB is being Hush Hush about it. I assume bc Lacey raised his Big Cats he will keep them. He seems kind to them at least that is half the battle. I can tell he loves them although I do not promote or advocate animal acts in any shape and form.

[@robnyc5461]

POS!

[@danielchappell1243]

raquel perez it was fake it was a act and you mist the greatest show on Earth and they did not hurt the animals so there you go

[@a-totally-random-person]

I wish there Feld family sold the show. I just felt like Ringling needed a new style that they couldn't seem to provide. They failed to adapt.

[@michealridenoour5320]

Yes

[@ilovelegos2000]

I haven't been to the circus in 10 yrs. I just graduated from high school. I will miss ringling bros! at least we have still have cirque du soleil. ain't that something

[@Gcor239]

They're done too 😫

[@dillonohlemiller9027]

@@Gcor239 no they’re not

[@Gcor239]

@@dillonohlemiller9027 you’re right I guess they just closed due to Covid.

[@ouroboros3141]

I happen to believe that animals don't belong in a circus and being locked up in a cage... but I also think it's very sad to see the end of this magnificent show. I wish there was some way they could still go on. Despite its faults and certain outdated features, this circus is a true American treasure. The end of an era...

[@Alphahydro]

Ringling Bros. was an institution. I'll always have fond memories of going to the circus as a child.

[@zombiecow1909]

they should just make it a better non-animal circus.

[@williamcunningham5417]

Julie R a circus without animals? thata just crazy. that would be just like going to the gym.😲💹😅🐶😎😞😔

[@TheBestTrainsAreReal]

Like they said circuses without animals don't do so good and don't last that long I remember a circus that lasted a year with no animals

[@cryptcake596]

Earth without air. Ocean without fish. Vegan who eats meat. Shut up peta

[@stlouisrocker100]

@@TheBestTrainsAreReal Cirque du Soleil has been going on for 35 years without animals

[@TheBestTrainsAreReal]

@@stlouisrocker100 oh nice

[@buffalomafia7162]

"Make America Great Again 2017" More like: "America is losing it's greatness 2017"

[@ParkerPlays2005]

No,just because a circus closed down doesn't mean its the end of the world

[@theleader9180]

@@ParkerPlays2005 It's the end of our childhood that better for words

[@culio544]

@@theleader9180 who cares about your childhood are you still a kid ?

[@andylopez3239]

@@theleader9180 your suppose to grow up, that’s the point of life, nothing is internal!

[@vioplayz9362]

I never go there because they abuse animal in training

[@gsdlvr123]

I Grew up (60's/70's), going every year - LOVED IT! Proud to say my kids got to go several times before the show was cancelled. Unfortunately on one of our last trips, our family was approached by some whacked out activists as we walked to the venue. FORTUNATELY the approach happened in a parking lot and I was able to get my point across...LOL . My kids will miss out on taking their children to this wonderful event but at least this memory is in their childhood. Praise God for the wonderful memories of the Greatest Show on Earth.

[@kookaman6095]

R.I.P. Ringling Bruddas

[@danielchappell1243]

I watched the ringling Bros show for my birthday it was so fun I love Tatyana from the show

[@kg7yts187]

Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages... Feld Entertainment Studios just announced that the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus is making a return in 2023!

[@McCoraMcc]

My mom used to work at capezio. We used to get free tickets to this circus from her boss. I wish it was still here but sadly this circus had to close.

[@mind-of-neo]

Damn, so the circus is just straight up not a thing anymore because of these people? I dont know what it is about some people that just want to remove features from life. Now theres no more going off to join the circus or taking your kid to the circus on a nice sunny day. Feature just gone.

[@sky-walker639]

they better not take away the monster trucks!

[@ParkerPlays2005]

Monster jam is awesome,and it isn't cruel either ;)

[@CompaOzy]

I blame it on peta

[@no40]

Ya boi Osmar ....^100%

[@belfiore_18]

They can be extreme however the sales are low bc more more people are against animal mistreatment.

[@CompaOzy]

Bella Fiori duhh that's peta

[@belfiore_18]

duh no the general public. cirque do soleil and animal rights activists opened up the public's eye about the mistreatment of animals.

[@CompaOzy]

Bella Fiori but peta is the main one

[@richardzellers]

I was the teacher for a short time and lived in car 54. Great experience.

[@camillew6358]

Remember seeing very little was so exciting and great memories future kid won't get to experience

[@4501trainman]

I always believed what my grandfather said about the Circus Elephants in his hometown not wanting to cross a bridge. But I just checked on the history of Sharon Pennsylvania,and in 1913 a major flood swept away one span of a bridge there. We are losing what made America great. Politicians are saying they are saving the world,as one in Pennsylvania is making a law to keep Circuses from coming to that state.

[@Smurshes]

I remember going to see Barnum and Bailey circus when I was 13 years old. I was the happiest young lady EVER! My childhood best friend and her family took me with them! I loved it! I loved the elephants! They were beautiful. They were big and beautiful. Exactly how I remembered them the last time I went to Disney World. Til that day, I have always loved elephants. I respect them.

[@kevinhawley1342]

Who needs a traveling circus when we a 3 ring circus in Washington claiming to be a federal budget debate? They need to stop their arguing because the show must go on.

[@felixlei2677]

I find it weird how animal rights group made them take out the elephants but not the lions and tigers and zebras etc

[@sierranalexander86]

We still have the small circus's that come to town, and all the other big ones. This is very sad, but hopefully the circus will stay in the world.

[@Annie605]

Freedom from having to perform

[@robertlucido3686]

It would've been awesome to see their circus train pulled by Union Pacific Big Boy 4014

[@tigermoth00]

hello KZbin recommendations

[@stewythecat7995]

yay

[@alyssalambert9233]

still it was good show i loved it

[@classylyrics8956]

couldn’t they have literally just gotten rid of the animals instead of ruining it for all the circus fans

[@SamRoxxJDM]

Pretty sad seeing a circus closed down :(

[@spectrumlocalb191]

You are all the fault here.Not 1 of you mentioned Gunther Geabel Williams?

[@thepastcomesalive2082]

I am from the United States and if I were president I would bring back the Ringling brothers circus that’s a promise I guarantee you that I would do that, I don’t have the power but if I was president I would have that power to bring it back for good. I hate the animal rights activist and what they did was evil they’re responsible for Ringling Brothers closing down like this it’s totally sad and disgraceful.

[@ramcowboy79]

there maybe other circus' out there but when the king of all circus' cant even survive its hard to imagine how anyone else could

[@jamesdavis5096]

:08 should read "faced with an elephant beating video"

[@zacharymaxwell9728]

Lol but yet the universoul circus is still popping and social media didn’t take that out ijs

[@mariannatexas]

This was the greatest show on earth and it needs to be revived so that future generations of children can experience the wonder.

[@debraj.thomas661]

thank you for all the childhood memories!

[@TheTrit0n]

They should've brought the elephants back and say, bring it PeTA we'll sue you for slander until they don't have a penny left.

[@coryruefer6606]

I live in the town the ringling brothers originated

[@TylerAStinson]

0:17 Love that primitive CGI look

[@TheRealAwesomePossum]

Alot of people lost their jobs because snowflake animal activists.

[@friarrodneyburnap4336]

Big Bertha...

[@bambinothegreat9245]

It saddens me so much that my future childern will never experience the circus that I did as a child. I absolutely hate animal activists that overstep their boundaries over nonsense

[@U_Iz_COOL]

I am happy they shut downed. They abused those animals repeatedly

[@trevorthesorcerer]

Ringling Brothers And Barnum & Bailey Circus won all lawsuits.

[@daboonies8603]

Good....

[@djhoward2212]

This is so sad, love you P.T. Barnum

[@Vixen1409]

It's good to love. The circus I did but the man was horrid

[@mohmedzakymohamedzanatyzan4568]

La vita un grandi searck

[@etdrwho8328]

Once I saw people outside protesting against the circus and they showed these horrible pictures, I was like 8. Some of the people who "protect" the animals are really horrible. I WAS EIGHT!

[@arfriedman4577]

So sorry to see this end. I saw this in NYC as a child. You have had awesome careers entertaining others. I thought it was cute the couple who ran away to the circus. I thought it was nice the Feld daughters were in the circus too. The museum creators are super talented. Its sad that people think your mistreating the animals . When you train animals, they get a lot of treats and love. You are doing things to keep them healthy and happy. People pay to train there dogs to be guard dogs and do tricks. Dogs are trained to assist humans that are blind, disabled, emotional needs etc. The police use trained dogs, the medical society uses trained animals. The military uses all sorts of trained animals on their missions. You also have an elephant sanctuary and breeding program to preserve the animals for the future.. I wish your family of Ringling Brothers the best.

[@band4lyfe]

First of all, no one can prove it was animal right groups that brought it down and Second, the animals suffered abuse! Go ahead and criticize, but I know my stuff you haters 😡

[@mariaake3652]

I read this article in school and when I thought about it I was sad bc they were leaving and the animals r made to do the tricks they had to not bc they didnt want to

[@jacksonpeck5290]

i would have went if it was cheaper and they did alot more advertising in my city saying that they were there

[@rafaelarballo8824]

😂 in Nogales AZ. Remember great's

[@belfiore_18]

Well it seems he loves his cats

[@luisareizaga30areizaga55]

I got 20 million

[@sunshinemosher7418]

So sad ,i love it .

[@Vixen1409]

I 100% agree with getting rid of animal cruelty I hate how they treated the animals at the circus But can all the Liberals and the animal rights activists and everyone from Peta. Please stop ruining people's childhood memories and telling them that they're disgusting for liking the circus. You have your likes and dislikes and no one judges you for them. So stop judging other people for them They're not saying they agree with the animal cruelty. They're saying they like the circus.

[@zombiecow1909]

lol, 😂

[@Rosebriar42]

I can't believe that I won't be able to share a circis that brought be such joy as a child with my own children in the future. I feel like the liars at PETA are to blame.

[@AG-fv4wd]

meh

[@TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsDrBees]

First I was sad to hear it but if there was a black ringmaster I can understand why they did what they had to.

[@lilywilson5344]

Why are there so many comments missing this disgusting company? You know what? I dare you to look up “Circus animal abuse” on KZbin and you are bound to find a video with the ringling brothers in the title, I watched quite a few. It made me tear up, raccoons having their mouths forced open with wires, elephants beaten if they even lift their head, babies crying when separated from their mothers. God, look at the videos and I DARE you to say you miss this disgusting circus company.

[@ParkerPlays2005]

Thank you,now we animal activists should take more circuses and rodeos down. Feld can go on with monster jam,AKA my childhood live entertainment. Animal Rights for Life!

[@Soul270952]

It has nothing to do with wonder it has to do with not wanting animals to be abused any further

[@luisareizaga30areizaga55]

They bet up animals

[@margui6224]

The Cirque du Solei is the only circus I would go. A circus without animals. The closing of circuses that have animals are a major victory for animal rights. Animals are not for our entertainment.

[@sadsader100yearsago9]

Get rid of your dog

[@scootergreen3]

You can tame a lion but not a wife. Ha ha!

[@brendanweinerth5228]

The reason why people don't come isn't because of the wonder, because cirque du soleil shows still sells out all the time. It is because they hurt and torture the animals and people are starting to realize that. I'm glad it's gone let the animals be free

[@rdubby1102]

Someone likes PETA

[@vdeimos]

Yeah, free to starve again, suffer from disease without proper treatment... suffer atrocious deaths... what else an animal would desire??? Oh the nature is SOOO beautiful... YAAAYYYY ¬¬

[@Soul270952]

V Deimos you know you really shouldn't speak when you haven't done any research on what you're talking about

[@Soul270952]

darkmountainman23 the fact that you just use the term "faggy" proves how creditless you are

[@Soul270952]

darkmountainman23 darkmountainman23 oh yeah have you maybe thought about the point of view of them NEVER BEING CIRCUS ANIMALS TO BEGIN WITH BECAUSE IF THEY WERE LEFT ALONE WHERE THEY BELONG WHERE THEY HAVE SURVIVED FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS ALONE THEN WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE RE RELEASING THEM and that doesn't take research just a brain with common sense

[@tsommers3284]

Good!! There was nothing Great about that show. I'm ashamed I ever went. This should have happened a long time ago.

[@robertatx22]

Finally those animas are gonna have a life

[@simplsquam]

for you and people like you, thanks for ruining my dreams and killing a tradition

[@berlindeutschland3264]

Camilla Johansson wanna free more animals? Then free your pets, they are sadly living with a hypocrite as their owner.

[@dickjohnson5979]

They shouldn't have given in to political correctness. They should have kept the elephants!

[@BunnnyRabbits]

It's not political correctness, it's moral correctness imo

[@raymondsoto2072]

The animals were the best part of the circus. Not only were the elephants the highlight of my experience as a kid, but the performers as well especially with the clowns and tightwalks

[@spectrumlocalb191]

In fairness and I'm not part of Peta I'm working for one of the biggest Arenas the elephants were often ripped at on their ears by the trainers. Have you ever seen the pole with the hook on it I have and the trainers used it visciously.

[@Soul270952]

spectrumlocalb191 thank you for bring real creditable info to this situation and being proper how you present it