For nearly 150 years, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus has entertained children of all ages. But dwindling ticket sales and high operating costs have finally forced this American icon to go dark. Feld Entertainment, parent company of the circus, announced that following a performance in Uniondale, NY on May 21, the circus will permanently shut its doors, ending a 146 year run. The company also cited the forced ending of the popular elephant act, brought about when People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sued the circus, charging that the elephants and other wild animals were being abused. Fields eventually settled the suit but agreed to end the performance of elephants. Not suprisingly, PETA gloated about the end of the circus: "After much evaluation and deliberation, my family and I have made the difficult business decision that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey will hold its final performances in May," Kenneth Feld, chairman and...(Read Full Post)