The Circus Has Left Town, For Good: Pictures

Two performers hug after the final show of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, in Uniondale, N.Y. Known as "The Greatest Show on Earth", the circus performed its final act after a 146-year run. AP Photo/Julie Jacobson
Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson performs during the last show of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
Big Cat trainer Alexander Lacey on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Tatiana Tchalabaev wipes tears from her face after the final show of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. AP Photo/Julie Jacobson
Despite trying to be fresh with a space-themed show, the circus chose to shut down as attendance dwindled, especially since the elephant act left the show last year. Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Performers entertain attendees on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Acrobats entertain attendees on the final day. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Alexander Lacey and his big cat show was a crowd favorite. Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Big cat trainer Alexander Lacey hugs one of the tigers during the final show of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. AP Photo/Julie Jacobson
Animal trainers Hans and Mary Klose perform during the last show. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
Mixed animals trainer Katie Azzario-Lacey on the final day. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Acrobats perform during the last show. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
An acrobat performs in a transparent ball suspended above the floor. AP Photo/Julie Jacobson
Former employees and their families before watching the last show of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus at Nassau Coliseum. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
Gymnast Tatiana Tchalabaev performs during the last show. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
Aerialist Paulo dos Santos seems to be flying in space during his act. Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty Images
The Thundering Cossack Warriors perform during the final show. AP Photo/Julie Jacobson
Head clown Davis Vassallo before taking part in the last weekend of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson, his daughter Lila Simone and son Matthew Felipe wave farewell to the audience at the end of the final show. AP Photo/Julie Jacobson
Davis Vassallo, center, hugs a member of the trapeze troupe as he holds his daughter Adriana after the final show. AP Photo/Julie Jacobson
A clown holds up his cell phone to record the end of the final show. AP Photo/Julie Jacobson
A performer hugs a young girl on the show floor after the final performance. AP Photo/Julie Jacobson
Angelica Tchalabaev gets a hug from her mother Tatiana Tchalabaev. Tatiana plays the Intergalactic Queen in the show and Angelica got emotional after watching her mom give her last interview. Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson during the final show. AP Photo/Julie Jacobson
A child in the audience watches the last show. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
Signage adorns trailers outside the arena on the final day of the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images