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Low ticket sales forced Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to end its 146-year-old run last year, but during the early 20th century, the circus was one of our city’s most anticipated events.
“The Greatest Show on Earth” first arrived in Atlanta in 1919. Back then, the circus’ arrival called for early school dismissal and a parade, with the whole town gathering to get a glimpse of the exotic wild animals and acts like the Swiss performer who climbed a 10-foot spire and stood on one hand with a walking cane while swirling rings around his ankles.
– Caroline Parsley, The 100 Companies