Ladies and Gentlemen, children of all ages! This past two weeks New York got to experience the wonder that was Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus! Both those who took the trip to the Times Union Center in Albany, and those who stepped out into New York City to Madison Square Garden got to experience childhood once again.
This year marked the 140th season of the three ring show which was entitled “Barnum 200” which celebrated P.T Barnum’s 200th birthday, and trust you me, it was a celebration which shouldn't be missed. But no worries folks, if you did miss it, you can catch next week’s show in Trenton, NJ or the following week in Hershey, PA. What better place for a weekend trip then the home of chocolate to visit some of the circus’s biggest stars, like it’s newly born elephant star, Barack who was a mere 250lbs at birth.
However all good things don’t come without protests. Lining the venues sidewalks prior and during the show protestors stood with posters and signs stating abuse for the animals. This has always been a topic of debate, but you can make your own judgments. In my opinion, those animals looked well taken care of…besides, wouldn't the nine tigers in the cage with one guy have made a lil' snack of him if they wanted to?
The circus though, much too popular belief isn’t what it used to be. Sure the elephants and llamas make their appearance, one elephant even paints art! These days, it’s all about the contortionists, trapeze artists and high wire walkers. Though who can forget about the clowns? However, this reporter held her breath as nine motor cycles raced around a steel ball all without hitting each other!
New York and Albany are only two of the 90 cities the tour will hit this year. Upon its completion Feld Entertainment, ran by the show’s producers Nicole and Alana Feld, will donate $10,000 to the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport, CT, to honor P.T. Barnum and to provide future generations the opportunity to learn about this amazing showman and his contributions to society.
In conjunction with the 200th anniversary of Barnum’s birth, Ringling Brothers has launched The Barnum Award, which honors the spirit of the founder of “The Greatest Show on Earth” and his inspirational contributions to society by identifying and celebrating children who give back to their own communities in creative, fun and innovative ways. Nominations for the award can be submitted online at www.thebarnumaward.com.
P.T. Barnum will also receive a first of its kind dedicated Star in the plaza of the Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 15, 2010, and the city of Los Angeles will issue a proclamation declaring that date as “P.T. Barnum Day”. So save up some cotton candy money, and stay tuned…
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