Ringling Bros.

ringling_bros_leaving_the_life_69417.jpg

Kristen Michelle Wilson, the first female ringmaster for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, stands backstage as she prepares to open the show, Friday, May 5, 2017, in Providence, R.I. "The Greatest Show on Earth" is about to put on its last show on earth. For the performers who travel with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, its demise means the end of a unique way of life for hundreds of performers and crew members. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

ringling_circus_final_show_91319.jpg

FILE - In this May 1, 2016 file photo, an Asian elephant performs during the national anthem for the final time in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Providence, R.I. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will end "The Greatest Show on Earth" on May 21, 2017, following a 146-year run. Declining attendance combined with high operating costs, along with changing public tastes and prolonged battles with animal rights groups all contributed to its demise. (AP Photo/Bill Sikes, File)

ringling_circus_final_show_53555.jpg

FILE- In this Jan. 14, 2017 file photo, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Ringmaster Kristen Michelle Wilson performs Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will broadcast its final show on the most 21st Century of channels: Facebook Live. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

3_302017_ringling-bros-virginia8201.jpg

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which started in 1871, is making its final trip to the District this weekend as part of its farewell tour. Falling attendance and competing entertainment are blamed for its decline. (Associated Press)

circus_newark_81786.jpg

A child raises his hand to answer a question by Johnathan Lee Iverson, a ringmaster with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, during a media event with local schoolchildren ahead of weekend shows, Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Newark, N.J. The circus, which will close its doors after 146 years in operation in the Spring, will say farewell to New Jersey after it's final show on March 12. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

circus_newark_25763.jpg

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, right, talks to Johnathan Lee Iverson, a ringmaster with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, during a media event ahead of weekend shows, Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Newark, N.J. The circus, which will close its doors after 146 years in operation in the Spring, will say farewell to New Jersey after it's final show on March 12. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

circus_newark_05341.jpg

A performer with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is interviewed by a reporter during a media event ahead of weekend shows, Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Newark, N.J. The circus, which will close its doors after 146 years in operation in the Spring, will say farewell to New Jersey after it's final show on March 12. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

circus_newark_50498.jpg

A ropedancer performs during a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus media event ahead of weekend shows, Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Newark, N.J. The circus, which will close its doors after 146 years in operation in the Spring, will say farewell to New Jersey after it's final show on March 12. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

big_apple_circus_90359.jpg

FILE - This May 6, 2007 file photo shows Barry Lubin, as " Grandma," performing in the Big Apple Circus in Boston. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus may be shuttering but Big Apple Circus has managed to cartwheel itself out of bankruptcy. A judge approved a deal, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, that would save the circus by selling its tents, equipment and intellectual property to Big Top Works, an affiliate of the Florida-based investment firm Compass Partners LLC. (AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki, File)

ringling_bros_closing_00986.jpg

FILE - In this May 1, 2016 file photo, an Asian elephant performs during the national anthem for the final time in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Providence, R.I. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will end "The Greatest Show on Earth" in May 2017, following a 146-year run. Declining attendance combined with high operating costs, along with changing public tastes and prolonged battles with animal rights groups all contributed to its demise. (AP Photo/Bill Sikes, File)

aptopix_ringling_bros_closing_90121.jpg

FILE - In this May 1, 2016 file photo, Asian elephants perform for the final time in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Providence, R.I. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will end "The Greatest Show on Earth" in May 2017, following a 146-year run. Declining attendance combined with high operating costs, along with changing public tastes and prolonged battles with animal rights groups all contributed to its demise. (AP Photo/Bill Sikes, File)

ringling_bros_closing_51917.jpg

In this Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017 photo, Chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment, Kenneth Feld, poses for a photo, in Ellenton, Fla. Feld Entertainment, which owns The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus told The Associated Press declining attendance combined with high operating costs are among the reasons for closing. Feld said when the company removed elephants from the shows in May of 2016, ticket sales declined more dramatically than expected. (AP Photo/Tamara Lush)

ringling_bros_closing_26297.jpg

A Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey clown performs Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will end the "The Greatest Show on Earth" in May, following a 146-year run of performances. Kenneth Feld, the chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment, which owns the circus, told The Associated Press, declining attendance combined with high operating costs are among the reasons for closing. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

ringling_bros_closing_16363.jpg

A Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey clown takes a selfie with Jennifer and Kevin Fox, of Fort Pierce, Fla., during a pre show for fans Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will end the "The Greatest Show on Earth" in May, following a 146-year run of performances. Kenneth Feld, the chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment, which owns the circus, told The Associated Press, declining attendance combined with high operating costs are among the reasons for closing. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

ringling_bros_closing_81219.jpg

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey clowns dance with fans during a pre show for fans Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will end the "The Greatest Show on Earth" in May, following a 146-year run of performances. Kenneth Feld, the chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment, which owns the circus, told The Associated Press, declining attendance combined with high operating costs are among the reasons for closing. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

aptopix_ringling_bros_closing_88647.jpg

A Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey acrobat jumps on a high wire during a performance Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will end the "The Greatest Show on Earth" in May, following a 146-year run of performances. Kenneth Feld, the chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment, which owns the circus, told The Associated Press, declining attendance combined with high operating costs are among the reasons for closing. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

aptopix_ringling_bros_closing_00697.jpg

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Ringmaster Kristen Michelle Wilson appears during a performance Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will end the "The Greatest Show on Earth" in May, following a 146-year run of performances. Kenneth Feld, the chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment, which owns the circus, told The Associated Press, declining attendance combined with high operating costs are among the reasons for closing. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

aptopix_ringling_bros_closing_06067.jpg

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey acrobats ride camels during a performance Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will end the "The Greatest Show on Earth" in May, following a 146-year run of performances. Kenneth Feld, the chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment, which owns the circus, told The Associated Press, declining attendance combined with high operating costs are among the reasons for closing. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

ringling_bros_closing_15316.jpg

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Ringmaster Kristen Michelle Wilson performs Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will end the "The Greatest Show on Earth" in May, following a 146-year run of performances. Kenneth Feld, the chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment, which owns the circus, told The Associated Press. Declining attendance combined with high operating costs are among the reasons for closing. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

aptopix_ringling_bros_closing_89406.jpg

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performers ride camels during a performance Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will end the "The Greatest Show on Earth" in May, following a 146-year run of performances. Kenneth Feld, the chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment, which owns the circus, told The Associated Press, declining attendance combined with high operating costs are among the reasons for closing. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)