Ringling Bros. circus deal offered, animal walk scheduled

Posted: January 23

There are no events that I get more questions about each year than Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (though the Fresh Beat Band rivaled it last year!).

The show stops at the PNC Arena each year. This year, it runs Feb. 6 to Feb. 10. Tickets start at $15.

As early as November, I received my first email about the show from a grandmother very eager to take her grandchildren to the animal walk, when people can see the animals unloaded from the long circus train. In the last few weeks, many have asked me about ticket discounts.

With all that said, there is no event that draws more anger from readers concerned about animal welfare too. You can read about some readers' concerns in the comments section of a post from last year. Please know that I encourage helpful, informative discussion on the issue.

So, with all that said, let me answer some reader questions:

There is a discount code for tickets. You can get four tickets for $60. It's valid online only and is good for any show in the $25 seats. The code to use online on Ticketmaster.com is NCMOMS. Type that code into the box that says "Advance or Promotion Ticket Selection," select four tickets and pick the $25 seats.

The animal walk is set for the afternoon of Feb. 4. The time isn't set in stone (and often isn't), but it looks like the animals will be unloaded after 6 p.m. The show comes to town in a 53-car-long steel coach. The animals will be unloaded from the train on Hillsborough Street across from Dorton Arena on the N.C. State Fairgrounds. I've been told that the best place to see the animal walk is along the road adjacent to the back loading dock of the PNC Arena.

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I hope that if this grandmother you are referring to takes her granddaughter to the "animal walk" she will realize that this is not a good thing. The famous animal walk is a walk of despair for these animals who are taken from their natural habitat and forced to perform for humans. Just take a moment to look at their faces and you will see how sad they actually look.

Riptide12
January 25, 2013 11:31 a.m.

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Please take the time to see this before you promote the circus!! Educate yourself

http://www.peta.org/features/Ringlings-Cruelty-Infographic.aspx?utm_campaign=0113%20Ringlings%20Cruelty%20Infographic%20Post&utm_source=PETA%20Facebook&utm_medium=Promo

Riptide12
January 25, 2013 11:20 a.m.

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B&B uses bullhooks, whips, and electric shock to teach the animals tricks; they are chained and crammed into tiny confinements when traveling (including that train you mentioned). Please don't support this circus.

carrboroyouth
January 24, 2013 8:46 p.m.

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After everything that was said last year about the conditions the animals have to live in and endure in a circus environment, it floors me that WRAL is still promoting this slavery and abuse. Please read the information gathered by the Seattle Times in 2012 about circus cruelty! Animal circuses must cease in this country!

barb124124
January 24, 2013 12:29 p.m.

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Very sad to see the circus promoted! They abuse animals to get them to perform and take baby animals from the wild just for human entertainment. Please do not promote this on WRAL!

Riptide12
January 24, 2013 10:03 a.m.

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Ringling Bros. circus deal offered, animal walk scheduled

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