Julie Jacobson, The Associated PressA clown poses for a photo with a child during the pre-show for the final performance of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Uniondale, N.Y.
Bruce Bennett, Getty Images(L-R) Ringmaster Jonathan Lee Iverson and Starseeker Paulo dos Santos perform in the closing number on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesAcrobats entertain attendees on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Julie Jacobson, Associated Press fileIn this May 4, 2017 file photo, a performance by the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus features the Desert Goddesses camels, in Providence, R.I. The circus that has wowed crowds for 146 years with its "Greatest Show on Earth" will be taking its final bow on Sunday May 21, 2017, when the sold-out 7pm show finishes at the Nassau County Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesA kangaroo performs on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesMembers of the King Charles Troupe perform on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesPerformers enterain attendees on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Julie Jacobson, Associated Press fileIn this May 4, 2017 file photo, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus tiger trainer Taba Maluenda performs with a white tiger during a show in Providence, R.I. The circus that has wowed crowds for 146 years with its "Greatest Show on Earth" will be taking its final bow on Sunday, May 21, 2017, when the sold-out 7pm show finishes at the Nassau County Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesBig Cat Trainer and Presenter Alexander Lacey performs on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesPerformers entertain attendees on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Julie Jacobson, The Associated PressDavis Vassallo performs during the final show of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Uniondale, N.Y.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesAttendees pose for photographs on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesChristopher Corzo of Bound Brook, New Jersey attends the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesBig Cat Trainer and Presenter Alexander Lacey performs on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesDavis Vassallo and other clowns perform on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesTrapeze artists perform on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Julie Jacobson, The Associated PressA member of the audience reacts as she talks with a clown during the pre-show for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Out of This World show before the circus' final performance, Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Uniondale, N.Y.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesAn elephant souvenir is on sale on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesAcrobats entertain attendees on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesClowns entertain attendees on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesClowns entertain attendees on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesClowns entertain attendees on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesA young fan watches the preshow on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesMixed Animals trainer Katie Azzario-Lacey performs on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesA general view of the show on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesBig Cat Trainer and Presenter Alexander Lacey performs on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesPerformers enterain attendees on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesPerformers enterain attendees on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesPerformers entertain attendees on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesClowns perform on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesJonathan Lee Iverson - Ringmaster performs on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesClowns entertain attendees on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Bruce Bennett, Getty ImagesBig Cat Trainer and Presenter Alexander Lacey performs on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run.
Members of PETA picket on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus on May 21, 2017 in Uniondale, New York. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146 year run. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Julie Jacobson, The Associated Press
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A clown poses for a photo with a child during the pre-show for the final performance of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Sunday, May 21, 2017, in Uniondale, N.Y.
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By Glen Barber | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
An elephant stretches its trunk through a window to soothe a sick child. A woman gives birth and three months later is back performing on the high wire. A handler of big cats weeps as the beasts lope out of the ring for the last time.
These stories could come only from circus performers, and in particular one famous circus, the one immortalized as “The Greatest Show on Earth”: the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which is hanging its hat for the last time this weekend.
While the show goes on in other circuses around the world, Ringling is special. The size, the spectacle and the history — stretching back to P.T. Barnum and his traveling museum in the 1800s — set it apart.