RALEIGH — Raleigh is being invaded by elephants, tigers and lions -- not to mention clowns, jugglers and acrobats. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is in town, performing through Sunday at Raleigh's Entertainment and Sports Arena.

It takes workers about 12 hours to put everything together for the first show. They got started about 4 a.m. Thursday installing the lights, rubber flooring and three big rings -- all part of "The Greatest Show on Earth."

More than 300 people will perform everything from acrobatic stunts to comedy skits at the shows. Tigers and elephants will also entertain crowds in some of the circus' most popular events.

Organizers say that you have not seen this particular show before, even if you came to last year's circus. Two different shows travel across the country, alternating stops each year.

"Todd the Clown" said there is one particular part of the circus that is especially dear to him.

"We've got 13 clowns that pile into a Volkswagon Beetle. [We] manage to do that nightly without hurting ourselves," he said. "I'm not sure how. You'll have to come and see for yourself."