Ringling Brothers Barnum Bailey Circus Review - The Best in Live Family and Kids Entertainment

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Southern California Show Schedule & Ticket Info

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

The 143rd Annual Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus made a roaring entrance into Southern California debuting at the Staples Center in Los Angeles just a few weeks ago. Now this year's Legends theme Ringling Bros. show is playing in Ontario in the Inland Empire
through July 22, before moving on to multiple performances in Anaheim in Orange County, where they will up the Southern California leg of the circus' national tour on Sunday, August 3rd.

The big & colorful program

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Joining me to cover press night, also reporting for MBE, was my dear friend and MBE mommy blogger, Norma Perez, who brought along her hubbie Daniel and 5 year-old daughter, Sarah. It didn't matter that I've been going to the circus since I was a little girl, while this was the first circus any of the Perez family has ever seen. This was a new and exciting experience for each of us.

Sarah and the Ringling Bros. Clowns

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

In fact, all four of us representing three different generations were simply enchanted and mesmerized from the moment we arrived at the venue through the performance from the opening number to the grand finale at the end. 

Right after we picked up our tickets at the press table, we met up with some of the most friendly and colorful clowns I think any of us have ever met.

What kid doesn't love circus souvenirs?

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

And who wouldn't want one of these cute elephant snow cones?

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

From the midway, we headed inside Staples Center -- home of the Los Angeles Lakers -- which was magically transformed from a sports arena into a beautiful circus "tent" vibe.

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Every year, Ringling Bros. seems to out do itself with staging. This year's theme Legends, was no exception, with twinkling neon lights, pyrotechnics and special effects along with equally sparkling sets and exquisitely costumed performers both of the human and animal variety -- on the floor and, of course, those men on the flying trapeze.

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

A live band provided the perfect old-fashioned musical backdrop, contrasting with the high tech showroom floor lights and the lightup boards hanging above the audience, together creating a unique and fun circus atmosphere.

The Ringmaster's various costumes were simply regal... 

Image by Ringling Bros. & Feld Entertainment

The ringmaster, dressed in his finest circus attire, introduced act after act: antics by big clowns, little clowns, medium-size clowns, the Chinese Acrobat Troupe, the motorcylists inside the big metal globe, the trapeze and trampoline artists and many others. 

Us Mom Bloggers steal a silly selfie moment...

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

While Sarah and Daddy take in every moment of the show

Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Particularly worth noting is that the audience was treated to many more animals than usual. In addition to the tigers and a handsome lion and their fearless trainer and the majestic, dancing elephants, many more creatures amazed the crowd. Among the most legendary and unforgettable were a winged pegasus, a wooly mammoth, a unicorn, a silly kangaroo bouncing all over the ring, goats, pigs and a variety of other animals you typically don't see in the circus ring.

Image by Ringling Bros. & Feld Entertainment

When the show was over, each of us was happy, but exhausted from all the action we'd seen and enjoyed. But isn't that the way you're supposed to feel after seeing a circus as tremendous, lively and fun as this Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was?

FTC Disclosure: This is a compensated post and I received tickets to see this circus to facilitate coverage before, during and after the event and to host the associated giveaway. In addition, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey provided MommyBlogExpert with a circus fun kit, including clown makeup and accessories for this post series. Ringling Bros. also provided the circus tickets for the giveaway contest. However opinons here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.