Farewell to ‘Greatest Show on Earth’

Fans bid adieu to the big top after 146 years of Ringling Brothers

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus ended its 146-year run on Sunday. Ringmaster Jonathan Lee Iverson, left, performs on the final day at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y.

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Lions, tigers and clowns, no more. Oh my. It’s curtains for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

This weekend was the final chance for fans to see death-defying acrobats, exotic animals and flashy costumes as the circus ended 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, New York, 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.

The final shows of what was long promoted as “The Greatest Show on Earth” were staged at the Nassau Coliseum in suburban New York. There were three scheduled shows Saturday and three on Sunday. For those who couldn’t make it, the final circus show on Sunday night was streamed on Facebook Live and on the circus’ website.

Clarissa Williams, a 38-year-old stay-at-home mom from West Hempstead, N.Y., was taking her 8-year-old daughter, Nylah, to the show.

“I’m thankful we get to see it before it leaves,” she said. “I pray that when they end, they take the animals and put them in a safe, sacred place.”

A spokesman for the circus says homes have been found for the animals that were owned by Ringling, including the tigers, horses and camels.

BRUCE BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES

BRUCE BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES Big cat trainer and presenter Alexander Lacey performs on the final day of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus on Sunday in Uniondale, N.Y.

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus clowns stage a final farewell at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

BRUCE BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES Performers entertain audiences in one of the circus’ final acts after a 146-year run.

JULIE JACOBSON/AP Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson opens the final show of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus on Sunday.