UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Lions, tigers and clowns, no more. Oh my. It’s curtains for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
This weekend is the final chance for fans to see death-defying acrobats, exotic animals and flashy costumes as the circus ends its 146-year reign as one of the world’s biggest big tops.
Ringling’s parent company, Feld Entertainment, announced in January that it would take its final bow this year. On Saturday afternoon, under cloudy skies, fans streamed into the Nassau Coliseum in suburban New York to pay their last respects to the iconic show.
“I’m becoming an adult today,” said 46-year-old Heather Greenberg of New York City. “I can’t go to the circus with my daddy anymore.”
Greenberg and her parents, and her three children, along with her sister and extended family — 12 in all — clowned around, laughing and joking, as they walked into the show.
Her sister, Dawn Mirowitz, 42, of Dix Hills, N.Y., sobered as she pondered a future without the Ringling Brothers circus.
“We’ll never get a chance to take our grandchildren to the circus,” she said.
Feld executives say declining attendance combined with high operating costs are among reasons for closing.
Ringling had two touring circuses this season, one ending its run earlier this month in Providence, R.I.