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9 Facts About the Ringling Brothers Circus

Adam M. Young | April 28, 2017
Ringling Brothers Circus final show.
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will perform its final show May 21, putting its amazing history to rest. We’ve covered how people are flocking to buy tickets for the final shows and what families can do for fun when the circus is over, so today we’ll dive into the show’s history and how it got to be “the greatest show on Earth.”

Did you know…

…The Circus was a huge supporter of libraries and reading. Through its Reading With Ringling Bros. program it gave free tickets to kids who set and met ambitious reading goals. Its “Ambassadors of Laughter” program often had performers and clowns make special appearances in libraries near circus stops.

…The Ringling Bros. Children’s Fund donated millions of dollars to help provide care for children with cancer. The Fund made donations in cities where the circus performed and brought performers to children’s hospitals.

…There’s still time! You can get tickets to see the final shows of the circus before it ends. Shows remain in Maryland, Connecticut and more. The final shows will be at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The final curtain is at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 21.

Elephants at the Center for Elephant Conservation in central Florida eat 2.5 tons of hay per day.

Ringling Brothers Circus Facts


…There were seven Ringling brothers, but only five started the circus back in 1884. Two were dancers, one was a singer and two played instruments. So they were basically an early version of the Jackson 5. (The other two brothers joined a few years later.)

…The original act was called the “Ringing Bros. Variety Performance” before later becoming the "Ringling Bros. United Monster Shows, Great Double Circus, Royal European Menagerie, Museum, Caravan, and Congress of Trained Animals." Which was a mouthful.

…Before they joined forces, the Ringlings didn’t want to compete directly with the Barnum & Bailey circus so they agreed to stick to the Midwest while Barnum & Bailey would handle New York. According to WisconsinHistory.org, that arrangement lasted 12 years, until the brothers bought Barnum & Bailey in 1907. But it wasn’t until World War I that they joined to form “The Greatest Show on Earth.”

...The circus was featured in Hollywood. A 1952 movie from Paramount Pictures called The Greatest Show On Earth featured Charlton Heston playing the manager and James Stewart playing the role of a clown. A New York Times review from the time praised it as “a piece of entertainment that will delight movie audiences for years.” It wasn’t too far off: For a cost of $4 million, it brought in $36 million at the box office. That’s good enough to make it the number 61 highest-grossing movie of all-time. (Gone with the Wind is number one at a cool $1.75 billion.)

…You can own a piece of the circus. A former circus clown is auctioning off posters, toys and more in Chicago this May. Here’s how you know it’s good stuff: The clown was friends with the widow of Henry Ringling, one of the original founders.

Does your family have an unforgettable memory from attending the circus? We’d love to hear it on our Twitter page or share it with us on Facebook.  
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Southaven, MS
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Southaven, MS
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Southaven, MS
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Landers Center
Southaven, MS
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Jan 17
Fri • 7:00 PM
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7:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Spectrum Center
Charlotte, NC
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Jan 18
Sat • 10:30 AM
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Jan 18
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Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Spectrum Center
Charlotte, NC
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Sat • 2:30 PM
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Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Spectrum Center
Charlotte, NC
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Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Spectrum Center
Charlotte, NC
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Jan 19
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Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Spectrum Center
Charlotte, NC
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Sun • 2:30 PM
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Jan 19
2:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Spectrum Center
Charlotte, NC
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Sun • 6:30 PM
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Jan 19
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Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Spectrum Center
Charlotte, NC
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Jan 24
Fri • 7:00 PM
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Jan 24
7:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Bridgestone Arena
Nashville, TN
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Jan 25
Sat • 11:00 AM
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Jan 25
11:00 AM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Bridgestone Arena
Nashville, TN
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Jan 25
Sat • 3:00 PM
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Jan 25
3:00 PM
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Bridgestone Arena
Nashville, TN
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Jan 25
Sat • 7:00 PM
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Jan 25
7:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Bridgestone Arena
Nashville, TN
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Jan 26
Sun • 1:00 PM
Sun
Jan 26
1:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Bridgestone Arena
Nashville, TN
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Jan 26
Sun • 5:00 PM
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Jan 26
5:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Bridgestone Arena
Nashville, TN
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Jan 31
Fri • 7:00 PM
Fri
Jan 31
7:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Legacy Arena at The BJCC
Birmingham, AL
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Feb 1
Sat • 11:00 AM
Sat
Feb 1
11:00 AM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Legacy Arena at The BJCC
Birmingham, AL
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Feb 1
Sat • 3:00 PM
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Feb 1
3:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Legacy Arena at The BJCC
Birmingham, AL
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Feb 1
Sat • 7:00 PM
Sat
Feb 1
7:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Legacy Arena at The BJCC
Birmingham, AL
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Feb 2
Sun • 1:00 PM
Sun
Feb 2
1:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Legacy Arena at The BJCC
Birmingham, AL
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Feb 2
Sun • 5:00 PM
Sun
Feb 2
5:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Legacy Arena at The BJCC
Birmingham, AL
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Feb 7
Fri • 7:00 PM
Fri
Feb 7
7:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Colonial Life Arena
Columbia, SC
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Feb 8
Sat • 11:00 AM
Sat
Feb 8
11:00 AM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Colonial Life Arena
Columbia, SC
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Feb 8
Sat • 3:00 PM
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Feb 8
3:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Colonial Life Arena
Columbia, SC
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Feb 8
Sat • 7:00 PM
Sat
Feb 8
7:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Colonial Life Arena
Columbia, SC
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Feb 9
Sun • 12:00 PM
Sun
Feb 9
12:00 PM
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Colonial Life Arena
Columbia, SC
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Feb 9
Sun • 4:00 PM
Sun
Feb 9
4:00 PM
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Colonial Life Arena
Columbia, SC
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Feb 14
Fri • 7:30 PM
Fri
Feb 14
7:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
State Farm Arena - GA
Atlanta, GA
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Feb 15
Sat • 11:00 AM
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Feb 15
11:00 AM
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State Farm Arena - GA
Atlanta, GA
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Feb 15
Sat • 3:00 PM
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Feb 15
3:00 PM
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State Farm Arena - GA
Atlanta, GA
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Feb 15
Sat • 7:00 PM
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Feb 15
7:00 PM
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State Farm Arena - GA
Atlanta, GA
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Feb 16
Sun • 1:00 PM
Sun
Feb 16
1:00 PM
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State Farm Arena - GA
Atlanta, GA
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Feb 16
Sun • 5:00 PM
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Feb 16
5:00 PM
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State Farm Arena - GA
Atlanta, GA
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Feb 17
Mon • 11:00 AM
Mon
Feb 17
11:00 AM
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State Farm Arena - GA
Atlanta, GA
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Feb 21
Fri • 7:30 PM
Fri
Feb 21
7:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Gas South Arena
Duluth, GA
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Feb 22
Sat • 11:00 AM
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Feb 22
11:00 AM
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Gas South Arena
Duluth, GA
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Feb 22
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Gas South Arena
Duluth, GA
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Feb 22
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Gas South Arena
Duluth, GA
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Feb 23
1:00 PM
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Gas South Arena
Duluth, GA
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Feb 23
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Gas South Arena
Duluth, GA
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Feb 28
Fri • 7:00 PM
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Feb 28
7:00 PM
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North Charleston Coliseum
North Charleston, SC
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Sat • 11:00 AM
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Mar 1
11:00 AM
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North Charleston Coliseum
North Charleston, SC
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Mar 1
3:00 PM
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North Charleston Coliseum
North Charleston, SC
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Mar 1
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North Charleston Coliseum
North Charleston, SC
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Sun • 1:00 PM
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Mar 2
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North Charleston Coliseum
North Charleston, SC
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Mar 2
5:00 PM
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North Charleston Coliseum
North Charleston, SC
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Mar 7
Fri • 7:00 PM
Fri
Mar 7
7:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Crown Coliseum - The Crown Center
Fayetteville, NC
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Mar 8
Sat • 10:30 AM
Sat
Mar 8
10:30 AM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Crown Coliseum - The Crown Center
Fayetteville, NC
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Mar 8
Sat • 2:30 PM
Sat
Mar 8
2:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Crown Coliseum - The Crown Center
Fayetteville, NC
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Mar 8
Sat • 6:30 PM
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Mar 8
6:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Crown Coliseum - The Crown Center
Fayetteville, NC
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Mar 9
Sun • 10:30 AM
Sun
Mar 9
10:30 AM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Crown Coliseum - The Crown Center
Fayetteville, NC
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Mar 9
Sun • 2:30 PM
Sun
Mar 9
2:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Crown Coliseum - The Crown Center
Fayetteville, NC
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Mar 14
Fri • 7:00 PM
Fri
Mar 14
7:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Hampton Coliseum
Hampton, VA
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Mar 15
Sat • 11:00 AM
Sat
Mar 15
11:00 AM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Hampton Coliseum
Hampton, VA
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Mar 15
Sat • 3:00 PM
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Mar 15
3:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Hampton Coliseum
Hampton, VA
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Mar 15
Sat • 7:00 PM
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Mar 15
7:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Hampton Coliseum
Hampton, VA
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Mar 16
Sun • 1:00 PM
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Mar 16
1:00 PM
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Hampton Coliseum
Hampton, VA
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Mar 16
Sun • 5:00 PM
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Mar 16
5:00 PM
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Hampton Coliseum
Hampton, VA
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Mar 21
Fri • 7:00 PM
Fri
Mar 21
7:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Scope Arena
Norfolk, VA
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Mar 22
Sat • 11:00 AM
Sat
Mar 22
11:00 AM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Scope Arena
Norfolk, VA
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Mar 22
Sat • 3:00 PM
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Mar 22
3:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Scope Arena
Norfolk, VA
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Mar 22
Sat • 7:00 PM
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Mar 22
7:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Scope Arena
Norfolk, VA
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Mar 23
Sun • 1:00 PM
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Mar 23
1:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Scope Arena
Norfolk, VA
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Mar 23
Sun • 5:00 PM
Sun
Mar 23
5:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Scope Arena
Norfolk, VA
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Mar 28
Fri • 7:00 PM
Fri
Mar 28
7:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
EagleBank Arena
Fairfax, VA
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Mar 29
Sat • 10:30 AM
Sat
Mar 29
10:30 AM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
EagleBank Arena
Fairfax, VA
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Mar 29
Sat • 2:30 PM
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Mar 29
2:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
EagleBank Arena
Fairfax, VA
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Mar 29
Sat • 6:30 PM
Sat
Mar 29
6:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
EagleBank Arena
Fairfax, VA
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Mar 30
Sun • 12:30 PM
Sun
Mar 30
12:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
EagleBank Arena
Fairfax, VA
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Mar 30
Sun • 4:30 PM
Sun
Mar 30
4:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
EagleBank Arena
Fairfax, VA
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Mar 31
Mon • 12:30 PM
Mon
Mar 31
12:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
EagleBank Arena
Fairfax, VA
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Apr 3
Thu • 7:00 PM
Thu
Apr 3
7:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
EagleBank Arena
Fairfax, VA
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Apr 4
Fri • 7:00 PM
Fri
Apr 4
7:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
EagleBank Arena
Fairfax, VA
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Apr 5
Sat • 10:30 AM
Sat
Apr 5
10:30 AM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
EagleBank Arena
Fairfax, VA
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Apr 5
Sat • 2:30 PM
Sat
Apr 5
2:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
EagleBank Arena
Fairfax, VA
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Apr 5
Sat • 6:30 PM
Sat
Apr 5
6:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
EagleBank Arena
Fairfax, VA
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Apr 6
Sun • 12:30 PM
Sun
Apr 6
12:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
EagleBank Arena
Fairfax, VA
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Apr 6
Sun • 4:30 PM
Sun
Apr 6
4:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
EagleBank Arena
Fairfax, VA
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Apr 11
Fri • 7:00 PM
Fri
Apr 11
7:00 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
CFG Bank Arena
Baltimore, MD
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Apr 12
Sat • 10:30 AM
Sat
Apr 12
10:30 AM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
CFG Bank Arena
Baltimore, MD
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Apr 12
Sat • 2:30 PM
Sat
Apr 12
2:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
CFG Bank Arena
Baltimore, MD
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Apr 12
Sat • 6:30 PM
Sat
Apr 12
6:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
CFG Bank Arena
Baltimore, MD
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Apr 13
Sun • 12:30 PM
Sun
Apr 13
12:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
CFG Bank Arena
Baltimore, MD
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Apr 13
Sun • 4:30 PM
Sun
Apr 13
4:30 PM
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
CFG Bank Arena
Baltimore, MD
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