'Circus train' makes a final pass through Northeast Georgia

Posted 10:45AM on Tuesday 14th February 2017 ( 7 years ago )

Just as they have done for more than a century, circus fans turned out Monday to support Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's 'Greatest Show on Earth', but this time along the railroad from Toccoa into Atlanta.

The circus' Orlando-based Red Unit was making its way south for what likely will be the final time before the final shows are held in May.

In Toccoa, Cornelia, Lula and other cities along the railroad, families gathered to get one more look at one of the trains that has delivered "The Greatest Show on Earth" to generations.

Shows will be held in Atlanta Feb. 15-20, and in Duluth from Feb. 23-March 5.

Only a month ago, circus owner Feld Entertainment, which has operated Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey for 50 years, announced that high operating costs and the decline of ticket sales would signal the end of the well-known circus in May.

Ringling Bros. was founded in Baraboo, Wisc., in 1884.

The 'circus train' makes a trip south into the Atlanta area for final performances of the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus. (Photo by Rob Moore)

Residents of Lula had a chance Monday to see the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus train as it headed to Atlanta for final performances. (Photo by Rob Moore)

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