“May all your days, be circus days.” This is the anthem heard under the big top of the Greatest Show On Earth. And what an anthem it is. As Ringling Brothers and Barum and Bailey Circus opened last Wednesday for its two-week run in Philadelphia, it seemed like the only way to spend your days—riding on elephants, swinging from the trapeze and dancing with clowns. For a few hours, the hassle of everyday life disappears and laughter and showmanship capture a packed arena.

The 132nd edition of Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus opened its three-ring circus with riders on Arabian horses and acrobats. As the ringmaster entered the arena with the entire cast of performers and animals, it was obvious the show had begun.

Each person has a reason for being there. “It’s fun. I like circus life. I like to travel. I like to talk to people and I like to see the smile of kids,” said Svetlana Savinkova, a dancer in the show, originally from Russia. Many of the performers, like Savinkova, come from countries across the world.

Many of these individuals have the tradition built into their blood. Clown David Larible, “The Prince of Laughter,” is a seventh generation circus performer. Born in Italy, the clown recently returned to the circus because of popular demand stemming from his four-year break. “I’m here because people asked for me. I don’t take that responsibility lightly,” Larible said.

Larible uses interactive humor by bring members of the audience into the ring to perform with him. The crowds broke into laughter as an older woman was given gold jewelry and taught how to dance to hip-hop. Fellow clown Todd Zimmermen believes in the power of laughter. “It’s universal. It doesn’t matter what race you are.” Of course, it took awhile to get to the deeper side of the clown. When asked whats the best part he responded, “The free cotton candy.”

While the clowns made the audience roar, other performers have the task of making the crowd gasp in amazement or hold its breath in suspense. T.M.,“The Gator Guy,” stuck his head in the mouth of a crocodile, only after carrying a 200-pound python snake. Trapeze artists fly high in the air and an aeria soloist hangs from the ceiling with out a net. The most stunning performance of the evening cames from Crazy Wilson Dominquez and the Wheel of Death. It is obvious why they call him crazy; seeing him spin and somersault on a wheel 40 feet above the ground. He is a marvel to watch.

But the performers are only half of this dynamic team. The most colorful addition to the circus is the picture-painting pachyderm, Kelly Ann. This artistic elephant can actually pickup brushes with her trunk and paint a picture that the audience has a chance to win.

Animals play a huge part in the history of the circus. It is something that has caused a great deal of controversy. In fact, animal activists stood in front of the steps of the First Union Spectrum, carrying signs that read, “Circus elephants never have a good day.” It has lead many to question the treatment of the animals.

Ringling Brothers stand firmly that the animals receive around-the-clock care from a team of dedicated veterinarians.

Ranging in ages from four to 58, 11 females and one male comprise the team of elephants that work an hour or two on performance days. The rest of the time is spent eating, training and playing with other animals.

“They are hilarious to watch. I could sit and watch them all day,” said Pettigrow. They are also easy to train because elephants are extremely intelligent. They can learn more than 30 different behaviors.

Ringling Brothers also established the Ringling Brothers’ Center (CEC) in 1995. These 200 acres in Florida serve as an elephant conservation facility. The center operates on the principles of reproduction, retirement (for performing elephants) and research.

“You never stop learning about the elephants,” said Pettigrow. They each have distinctive personalities, much like the tigers that took the ring with Sara the Tiger Whisper.

The personality of one of the striped creatures became very evident when he obviously told the Sara that he was not taking a part in the night’s activities. And who’s going to argue with a tiger? Instead, he sat perched on his stool, while the seven others performed. “With tigers, you’re both teacher and student, master and apprentice,” Sara said. Still, it is evident that Sara, a performer since age two, shares a special connection and language with these fierce creatures. “We are a family. What you see reflects that relationship.”

Reflecting the mood of the nation produced one of the most amazing moments of the evening. Twelve elephants dressed in patriotic colors came out and performed with the entire cast to “God Bless America” and “Proud to Be an American,” as two American flags hung down from the rafters. It was a perfect tribute for the time and a symbol of the American tradition.

And an American institution it has become. Audience members now have a chance to experience the fun hands-on. An hour before the start of the show, the circus hosts an animal open house and Three-Ring Adventure on the arena floor. There, children and adults have a chance to pet the animals, play with clowns, be lifted by acrobats and try on costumes. Jon Wiess, who performs as a human cannonball, said, “I want people to have the time of their lives here. I’m here to welcome your family to ours.” You don’t have to be a child to fall in love with the magic of the circus. After witnessing the event, there is no doubt that it truly is the Greatest Show on Earth.

So go ahead and see for yourself the magic of a circus day. The show runs at the First Union Spectrum through Sunday. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-336-2000. And what an anthem it is. As Ringling Brothers and Barum and Bailey Circus opened last Wednesday for its two-week run in Philadelphia, it seemed like the only way to spend your days—riding on elephants, swinging from the trapeze and dancing with clowns. For a few hours, the hassle of everyday life disappears and laughter and showmanship capture a packed arena.

The 132nd edition of Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus opened its three-ring circus with riders on Arabian horses and acrobats. As the ringmaster entered the arena with the entire cast of performers and animals, it was obvious the show had begun.

Each person has a reason for being there. “It’s fun. I like circus life. I like to travel. I like to talk to people and I like to see the smile of kids,” said Svetlana Savinkova, a dancer in the show, originally from Russia. Many of the performers, like Savinkova, come from countries across the world.

Many of these individuals have the tradition built into their blood. Clown David Larible, “The Prince of Laughter,” is a seventh generation circus performer. Born in Italy, the clown recently returned to the circus because of popular demand stemming from his four-year break. “I’m here because people asked for me. I don’t take that responsibility lightly,” Larible said.

Larible uses interactive humor by bring members of the audience into the ring to perform with him. The crowds broke into laughter as an older woman was given gold jewelry and taught how to dance to hip-hop. Fellow clown Todd Zimmermen believes in the power of laughter. “It’s universal. It doesn’t matter what race you are.” Of course, it took awhile to get to the deeper side of the clown. When asked whats the best part he responded, “The free cotton candy.”

While the clowns made the audience roar, other performers have the task of making the crowd gasp in amazement or hold its breath in suspense. T.M.,“The Gator Guy,” stuck his head in the mouth of a crocodile, only after carrying a 200-pound python snake. Trapeze artists fly high in the air and an aeria soloist hangs from the ceiling with out a net. The most stunning performance of the evening cames from Crazy Wilson Dominquez and the Wheel of Death. It is obvious why they call him crazy; seeing him spin and somersault on a wheel 40 feet above the ground. He is a marvel to watch.

But the performers are only half of this dynamic team. The most colorful addition to the circus is the picture-painting pachyderm, Kelly Ann. This artistic elephant can actually pickup brushes with her trunk and paint a picture that the audience has a chance to win.

Animals play a huge part in the history of the circus. It is something that has caused a great deal of controversy. In fact, animal activists stood in front of the steps of the First Union Spectrum, carrying signs that read, “Circus elephants never have a good day.” It has lead many to question the treatment of the animals.

Ringling Brothers stand firmly that the animals receive around-the-clock care from a team of dedicated veterinarians.

Ranging in ages from four to 58, 11 females and one male comprise the team of elephants that work an hour or two on performance days. The rest of the time is spent eating, training and playing with other animals.

“They are hilarious to watch. I could sit and watch them all day,” said Pettigrow. They are also easy to train because elephants are extremely intelligent. They can learn more than 30 different behaviors.

Ringling Brothers also established the Ringling Brothers’ Center (CEC) in 1995. These 200 acres in Florida serve as an elephant conservation facility. The center operates on the principles of reproduction, retirement (for performing elephants) and research.

“You never stop learning about the elephants,” said Pettigrow. They each have distinctive personalities, much like the tigers that took the ring with Sara the Tiger Whisper.

The personality of one of the striped creatures became very evident when he obviously told the Sara that he was not taking a part in the night’s activities. And who’s going to argue with a tiger? Instead, he sat perched on his stool, while the seven others performed. “With tigers, you’re both teacher and student, master and apprentice,” Sara said. Still, it is evident that Sara, a performer since age two, shares a special connection and language with these fierce creatures. “We are a family. What you see reflects that relationship.”

Reflecting the mood of the nation produced one of the most amazing moments of the evening. Twelve elephants dressed in patriotic colors came out and performed with the entire cast to “God Bless America” and “Proud to Be an American,” as two American flags hung down from the rafters. It was a perfect tribute for the time and a symbol of the American tradition.

And an American institution it has become. Audience members now have a chance to experience the fun hands-on. An hour before the start of the show, the circus hosts an animal open house and Three-Ring Adventure on the arena floor. There, children and adults have a chance to pet the animals, play with clowns, be lifted by acrobats and try on costumes. Jon Wiess, who performs as a human cannonball, said, “I want people to have the time of their lives here. I’m here to welcome your family to ours.” You don’t have to be a child to fall in love with the magic of the circus. After witnessing the event, there is no doubt that it truly is the Greatest Show on Earth.

So go ahead and see for yourself the magic of a circus day. The show runs at the First Union Spectrum through Sunday. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-336-2000.