The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus announced it was closing after 146 years, citing falling ticket sales, high operating costs and changing public tastes in entertainment
Upstate residents can see the circus for the final time Feb. 2-5 at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
Feld Entertainment, owner of the circus the past 50 years, announced the closing in an online message.
Following the transition of the elephants off the circus, the company saw a decline in ticket sales greater than could have been anticipated, announced Kenneth Feld, Chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment.
“Now that we have made this decision, as a company, and as a family, we will strive to support our circus performers and crew in making the transition to new opportunities,” said Juliette Feld, the company’s COO.