Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus

August 17-21

Fun Facts !

As if the performances that make up the 134th edition of The Greatest Show on Earth® weren’t enough – the performers and producers lead incredibly interesting lives and have some amazing family histories. Read on!

DID YOU KNOW...

• That in a monumental first, Nicole Feld joins her father, Kenneth Feld, as co-producer of the 134th Edition, marking the first time a woman has served as co-producer and introducing the third generation of Felds to lead The Greatest Show On Earth.

 

• This is the first time in the history of Ringling Bros. that a woman, Sylvia Hase, has directed the three-ring production.

 

• That there are two nuns working behind the scenes at The Greatest Show On Earth. Sister Dorothy and Sister Bernard of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, based in Reading, Pennsylvania, share their calling by living and working with the circus. Sister Dorothy works the portal curtain, and Sister Bernard keeps the costumes in line.

 

• Eleven-year old Ambra Zerbini, daughter of equestrienne extraordinaire Sylvia Zerbini, represents ten generations of circus performers.

 

• Ringmaster Kevin Venardos was named one of People Magazine’s “Hottest Bachelors of 2003.”

 

• Singing sensation Jennifer Fuentes made it to the top-30 on FOX’s American Idol, and was also the youngest contestant to compete in the Miss Florida pageant.

 

• It’s been more than 20 years since lions have graced The Greatest Show On Earth. The 11 maned stars range in age from 2-12 years and weigh 240-450 pounds.

 

• Troy Metzler works with the young elephants, but began his professional career as a cosmetologist. Today, his larger-than-life clientele benefit from his grooming skills with daily pedicures: each elephant receives daily foot care.

 

• Alex Vargas is joined by his teenage daughter in Ring One during the Elephant Club number.

 

• David Larible has received more accolades than any of his peers. Additionally, he travels the country with his wife, America, and his two children, Shirley and David, Jr. Shirley is making her debut in the 134th Edition.

 

• Crazy Wilson began performing as a trampolinist at the age of five, and was performing on the heart-stopping Wheel of Death by the age of 16. He met his wife while performing with a show in South America, and they have been touring together ever since.

 

• At the age of three, Nick Winn appeared on ABC’s That’s Incredible as the world’s youngest wire walker.

 

• Members of the Chinese Acrobatic Troupe must stand on their heads for 30 minutes each day in order to maintain the precise and perfect balance seen in the show.

 

• Dance captain Maia Tabakova participated in the Atlanta Olympic games in rhythmic gymnastics.

 

• Cristian Rodriguez performs his miniature horse routine in roller blades.

 

• Children of the performers attend school while their family tours with the 134th Edition.

 

• Ringling Bros. continues to operate the longest train in North America: 56 cars, 4,959 feet in length, and 4,055 tons in weight.

 

• The average number of miles logged by the train in the last six years: 16,265