The show must go on!!!!!!   That is an adage we often hear with entertainment. I relate it to the theater and the circus mainly. Sadly, the show will be ending when it comes to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. As a goer this past Thursday in Tampa at Amalie Arena the environment would never have let you know it would be the last show ever, and I am glad it was so.

There is something magical about the Ringling Brothers Circus to me. From the very first time I saw it to the last time I ever will last Thursday. The great thing was, I did leave with a smile. Circus Extreme was well done and one would never have known this is the end of P.T. Barnum’s dream if it was not announced at the beginning of the performance.

The clowns entertained, the animals were full of enthusiasm, and the ringmaster kept generating the excitement throughout the show. I have always given good reviews to the Ringling Circus in the past, but this year I have to give an exceptional review. Not because it is the last year and encouraging you all to go. Not because it is the circus and you would be wondering “what if” if you did not see it. Not because it is pretty cheap ticket for 3 hours of entertainment. I give it an exceptional review because the performers know they are performing for us under the Ringling name for the last time. Most importantly, the performers are putting their heart into this show to bring that smile to us for the very last time. That alone is what makes this year and performances special and memorable.

I was able to experience it personally over 30 years ago in Venice, Fl, and remember that experience with my grandparents fondly. Over the past three years I was able to experience seeing the circus through the eyes of 4 little boys and one girl as they lived the circus for the very first time. Tommy, Callie, Easton, Robert and Thomas (Twinspeak) saw the magic and loved it as we did when we were their ages. This is the last year and I am glad I was able to experience my last time with a 2 children (and a mom) for the very first time.

If you have a chance before the final show in May. I IMPLORE you to see the SHOW!!!!  Do not be the one left out thinking back about the Greatest Show on Earth and wishing you would have seen it. I hope somehow Feld Entertainment finds a way to save the circus, but like all great stories, they do sometimes end.

I was lucky to be one of the press invited to say good-bye to the elephants last year. This year I was lucky enough to say good-bye to the circus when it visited Tampa, FL. It is a tradition and highly recommended to see. To take advantage of one of their final shows be sure to visit Ringling.org and get your tickets and say your own personal good-bye.

THANK YOU RINGLING BROTHERS, BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS FOR THE 146 YEARS OF MAKING US ALL SMILE.

David “Thrills”
The Thrill Freak @TampaAmazeMe

David “Thrills” is an avid enthusiast of thrill parks and entertainment activities in the Tampa Bay Area. Be sure to follow me on twitter or instagram or email me at tampathrillme@gmail.com for any questions or concerns. Pictures are the property of Feld Entertainment.