The circus is in town! My family and I got the chance to attend opening night of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s new show Barnum’s FUNundrum! It was a 2 ½ hour long show (with an intermission) full of non-stop excitement and entertainment. When I say non-stop, I really mean non-stop as even while they are setting up the next act there is another act performing. There is also really no bad seat in the house as most of the acts were performed up front and in the back so everyone could see good.
Before the show there was an All Access Pre-Show to see the animals up close, visit with performers, get autographers, try on costumes and enjoy other circus fun all included Free with your circus ticket! We unfortunately missed most of it, but the arena was definitely hoppin’ and there were a lot of people that looked like they were enjoying themselves.
The show had so many characters parading around, performing gymnastics, circus acts that I don’t even know where to start! For animals, there were 8 elephants (plus the new baby elephant), ponies, llamas, and a dog. The show was about all the traditional circus acts and mysteries: bearded lady, strong man, stretch man, lots of guys coming out of a little car, clowns, bended ladies, trapeze, and more! My favorite part though was the 16 foot metal sphere that had 7 motorcycles (maybe dirt bikes?) being driven around in it – the motorcycles were driving all over inside there I don’t know how they didn’t run into each other! The whole show was truly amazing and I can’t even think of a dull moment. I will say I missed there being more done with the tiger’s as in last years show there seemed to be more interaction with them. This show was definitely different than last year’s though which was nice because I wasn’t sure if it would be the same.
My 2-year old loved the entire show the most, he clapped and pointed and kept smiling! He was so amazed by it all and his face and reaction really was priceless. My 3 –year old was a little bored because there was a lot of gymnastic-type acts, but he loved the animals, clowns, and motorcycles! Oh and did I mention one of the motorcycle riders was a women –loved it!
Overall, the show really was amazing for us and I will be attending the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey show every year it comes to Chicago. The ticket prices are not too bad and the experience is priceless!
Show Dates:
- Allstate Arena: November 4-14, 2010
- United Center: November 17-28, 2010
Regular Ticket Prices range from $13-$90
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- $4 off on all weekend performances or
- 4 for $44 on all weekday performances, with weekday being defined as any performance held Monday through Thursday or Friday matinee, excluding holidays (Nov. 26 is a holiday) (Not valid on Circus Celebrity, Front Row, or VIP seats; no double discounts; limit 6 per order)
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Mama’s Money Savers Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets to the show but my opinions remain my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy.
Ellie's Mom says
From one concerned Mom to another Mom, you must look at these photos that just became public in 2009 and this video before you take your children to the circus again. What I saw was very upsetting I did not realize that Ringling Bros. actually physically pulls their baby elephants who are still nursing away from their mothers and the cruel training begins and never stops. So I contacted Ringling Bros Circus about these photos, they assured me that these babies are being trained using food rewards, patience’s and love, but that is not what I saw, you must look for yourself and watch the video of a Ringling Bros elephant trainer talking about what happens behind closed door at the Center for Elephant Conservation. It is shocking.
http://www.ringlingbeatsanimals.com/bound-babies.asp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdQPSy9zPVA
Most of us have animals that live with us and that we consider loved family members, and we would never beat them with a fireplace poker or use an electric prod to train them to perform and entertain us, but that is exactly how Ringling Bros. Circus treats their baby elephants. You can do a Google search on “circus elephant abuse” and you will be sickened by what you see. Please don’t take your children to circuses that use performing exotic animals.