Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus visits Jacksonville for the last time

Legendary entertainers are in town for the last time.

The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus is shutting down after its current tour. The show is in Jacksonville for four days, and then the circus leaves town forever.

It’s called ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’.

Thousands of fans came to Veterans Memorial Arena Thursday night to see all of the glamor.

“I am for the circus,” said Fontaine Westcott.

Coming to the circus is a family tradition for Westcott and her daughter, Skyler.

“I grew up going to the circus and it was just a lot of fun. All the pomp and circumstance that surrounds it. It was something that you really look forward to, it was a special moment,” said Westcott.

Those special moments will soon be just a memory as Ringling Brothers will be folding its tents in May.

For years, animal activists have protested what they consider poor treatment of circus animals, especially the elephants. Thursday night, the protesters showed up, despite the circus ending itsshow.

“We still think people need to be educated, so they won’t go to other circuses, that’s really why we’re out there. I seen the way these animals, have lived first hand, it’s horrible. What they tell you and what’s reality, are two separate things,” said Adam Sugalski.

But the Westcotts aren’t ready for their family tradition to end. “It was always a special moment for me."

Cox Media Group