Clowns! Popcorn! Snow Cones! Acrobats! Yes folks I am talking about the Circus! This past weekend I went with my husband and some friends to the Ringling Brother’s Barnum and Bailey Circus!
The Circus as a Kid
I haven’t been to the circus in years! We used to go to a smaller circus when I was younger. It was great, but I had always wanted to go to this much larger circus. For some reason the name alone brings excitement. I was a little nervous that I would find it silly, and that what I thought to be a great event would just be for children. I was also worried that I would be disappointed. But let me tell you that just wasn’t the case! It had all the elements of a great show! Music, large animals and death defying stunts!
Our Circus Experience
The show was at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Upon entering, we encountered many disgruntled employees yelling at the crowd. Personally, I didn’t think it was at all in the spirit of the circus. I mean it’s for children for goodness sake! But I guess that’s Manhattan for ya! One major difference between this venue and ones I have been to in the past was the vast size! Our seats were pretty high, and although everything was done to such a large scale that we could see everything, I remember loving being so up close at the smaller venues.
If you ask me what my favorite act was you may laugh. It was the dogs! I am not sure if it’s because I find dogs so lovable, but I found all their tricks endearing and entertaining! They were just too cute! I found the elephants to be great also. They are huge animals standing on little stools and jumping up on each other! Amazing!
One thing I found to be disappointing was the use of wires. It may all be in my head, and it might be from watching too many movies, but I recalled the acrobats flying across the sky to near death! Isn’t that why they call them “death defying” stunts??” These acrobats had on wires sometimes? I am not sure its very death defying when if you fall there is someone to catch you.
The Circus and Children
I don’t have children yet, but when I do I look forward to bringing them to events such as this. My parents brought us to many places and I want to do the same for my kids. But here’s the thing…how did they afford to do it?? The snow cones were $15 a piece! Mind you they came in cute animal shaped containers, but still! If you have more than one kid, and they want other souvenirs then we are screwed! I mean even I was almost suckered into buying the glowy, spinny contraptions!
All in all it was a fun filled evening. I am glad that we went, and I would recommend it to other adults even if they don’t have children to bring. I can imagine though, that bringing children would make the event even more fun. Watching the circus through their eyes must be an experience! So what is your favorite circus act? If you are parents, please share what it’s like to spend a fortune at events such as this.
After all these years, I can attest, that the circus is still magical and the GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!
I enjoyed out time at the circus. We attend the Big Apple Circus at least once a year and this is the first time we brought Leah to Ringling Brothers. Big Apple Circus is small and intimate. It is one ring but still a very good circus. I enjoyed going to Ringling Brothers. I love the three ring circus environment. A lot going on. Leah’s favorite acts are usually the acrobatic ones. Same for me. This time around she really enjoyed the tigers and dogs.
Many circus acts now employ aerial rigging and safety wires. Even if the wires are off just a lil bit in terms of balance it can lead to the death of one of the aerialist. In some of the aerial rope acts there are techies down on the circus floor who are belaying the aerialist. If one of those guys doesn’t do what he is supposed to for even a split second the aerialist can fall. It is still quite dangerous. The change came about two decades ago when aerialists were dying or being severely injured in front of audiences. The industry wants to protect their acrobats. (I am sure it also helps lower insurance costs.)
As for the cost thing, before kids I may have spent $50-$100 any random night of the week doing a bar crawl, now I spend that buying snowcones & popcorn for the kid. I find the latter more rewarding.
You know, now that you mention it, I don’t think I would like watching an acrobat die in front of me. That would be no good! I did see the men below with the ropes. They were good at being descreet at least!
As for the money you are right. I guess the money you spend on yourself for other things just gets alloted to your kids instead…and I agree…I can imagine it being much more rewarding!