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Goodbye to the 'Greatest Show on Earth': Ringling Bros. Hold Final Curtain Call

The iconic Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will perform its final act on Sunday.

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Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson is in his eighth edition of the Ringling Bros, he is the first African-American ringmaster in the show's history.

The self-proclaimed Greatest Show on Earth is ending their 146-year run with a final performance on May 21.

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The Cossack riders, a group of acrobatic riders and horses, wait backstage for their cue.

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Mongolian contortionists Solange Ulzii, Nomin Nyamkhuu balance on Erdenesuren Damdinbayar.

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Tatiana Tchalabaeva waits to make her entrance as the Evil Queen along with the clowns.

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Left: Matthew Iverson plays a younger version of his father, Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson, and Adrianan Vassallo plays a younger version of her father, Davis Vassallo.

Right: Ashley Vargas hosts a pre-show before the ‘Out of This World’ performance of the Ringling Bros.

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Katie Azzario Lacey strokes her tiger, Cashmere, before the show.

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Members of the King Charles Troupe salute the crowd during the finale. The King Charles Troupe is the first African-American circus act in Ringling Bros. history, having debuted in 1969. The unicycle act plays basketball and even performs on ice during the show.

PHOTOS: Black Unicycle Basketball Stars Ride Into Ringling Bros. History

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Dave Honigman, Joe DeSoto, and Mandy Curry play the clowns of Clown Alley.

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Performers kick off the opening act of the ‘Out of This World’ show.

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Left: Byron Allen plays trombone in the band.

Right: Acrobat Paulo dos Santos as the Circus Starseeker.

 

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Big cat trainer Alexander Lacey performs with lions during the show.

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Left: Freestyle skater Natahlia De Roover

Right: The Torres Family, originally from Paraguay, race motorcycles inside a steel cage just inches apart.

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Tatiana Tchalabaeva, who plays the Evil Queen, has been with the Ringling Bros. for over 25 years.

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Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson with his sidekick Paulo dos Santos.

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Victor Rossi is an eighth generation clown from Monaco. He grew up performing in the Monte Carlo Festival and has traveled the world for shows.

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Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson with his sidekick Paulo dos Santos.

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Big cat trainer Alexander Lacey comes from a family of animal trainers.

VIDEO: A Circus No More: Historic Ringling Bros. Says Goodbye

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