By Laura Riggs

Tonight my husband and I took our daughters to the Ringling Brothers Circus. I honestly think we were just as excited as the kids! From the opening parade, which included ponies and camels, to the final act, we were all spellbound.

Some highlights included the enchanting and hilarious antics of a clown duo – with the older clown becoming exasperated with the tricks his young, bespeckled counterpart kept pulling, even the adults were giggling. The strength and grace of the acrobats left us all in awe and included several high flying flips and a performer leaping from swings suspended near the ceiling. There was also unicycle riding basketball players and tricks involving fire. The main acts also included adorable dog tricks from several well trained pups, including a conga line and a trio of acrobats pulling stunts on a spinning set of hamster wheel-like rings that left everyone gasping, then cheering. When the elephants came out and delighted everyone with a series of well executed tricks. I was especially amused by the way they each had a different “farewell” to the crowd.

The a heart-stopping finale involving multiple motorcycles being driven inside a sphere shaped cage at the same time. The timing needed for that trick seemed impossible!

We were a little disappointed that the animals weren’t involved in more of the show,  I seem to remember lions and bears from my last trip 18 years ago, but we all had a wonderful time and will be making the Ringling Brothers Circus a new family tradition!