There are circuses, and then there is the CIRCUS.
The RinglingBros. and Barnum_&_Bailey_Circus is quite simply spectactular. Three rings of high wire acts, death-defying motorcycle stunts, and an exotic array of animals…not to mention the clowns. We took our children two years ago. I purchased seats in front of the middle circle, which meant we could see all three circles very well. My 3-year-old loved it and so did my 10-year-old. A activity for all ages.
I am offering TWO ways to see the circus! DC, MD, and VA residents only!
1. MomCentral has offered me a family 4-pack of tickets to giveaway for the Thursday, March 19, 7:30 p.m. show in Washington, D.C., at the Verizon Center. All you need to do to enter is leave a comment for me about your favorite memory of the circus and sign up to follow this blog (see right sidebar). Enter by Monday, March 16 for a chance to win the 4-pack of tickets.
2. Or, if you live in DC, MD, and VA, you can purchase tickets to the circus. MomCentral is offering this special offer: 4 tickets for $44. Log onto http://www.ticketmaster.com/ and enter promo code “MOM” in the MC promotion box. Additional tickets can be purchased for $11 each. Not valid on VIP Gold, VIP, and Circus Celebrity seats or combinable with other offers. Offer is good on 200 club level seating and up.
The circus will appear in:
Washington at the Verizon Center
Thursday, March 19: 10:30 a.m., 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 20: 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 21: 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 22: 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Baltimore at the 1st Mariner Arena
Wednesday, March 25: 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 26: 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 27: 10:30 a.m, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 28: 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 29: 1 p.m., 5 p.m.
Wednesday, April 1: 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 2: 10:30 a.m., 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 3: 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 4: 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 5: 1 p.m., 5 p.m.
Fairfax, VA at the Patriot Center
Wednesday, April 8: 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 9: 7 p.m.
Friday, April 10: 1 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 11: 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m
Sunday, April 12: 1 p.m., 5 p.m.
Thursday, April 16: 7 p.m.
Friday, April 17: 10:30 a.m., 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 18: 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 19: 1 p.m., 5 p.m.
My favorite circus memory? I was IN the circus! Many years ago, as a young reporter, Ringling allowed me to be a clown for one show and write about the experience.
A wonderful clown named Ruthie dressed and made me up, coached me. I got to do a “meet and greet,” perform simple skits, was stuffed into the little clown car. My grand finale was jumping out of that car, the last one, to be sprayed in the face with water from a fake flower.
I had the time of my life. When the performance was over, I was bereft. The children backstage who had rushed up to hug me looked at me suspiciously without my clown makeup on. The circus left without me.
I have a weathered newspaper clip of my story, though, and an old photo. In those I’m still a beautiful clown with long dark hair, sparkling eyes and a smile that never stops.