Your Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus memories

By Newsday.com StaffMay 12, 2017

For the past 146 years, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has been a tradition for families on Long Island and around the United States.

From elephants to the flying trapeze act and dancing bears, there are more than a century of collective memories to share.

With its final eight-day run coming to the new Nassau Coliseum in May, we want to see your memorable moments from the The Greatest Show on Earth.

Whether you've posed with performers, taken a close-up of your favorite animal, gotten cotton-candy messy, had your face painted or documented another treasured experience, submit your photos here, and they might be published in Newsday and/or on Newsday.com. (Captions are submitted by readers who share their photos.)

Credit: Not sure

I went to East Meadow High and joined the Greatest Show on Earth, red unit in 1984 through 1986. I auditioned at Nassau Colliseum. I went on to have my own solo aerial act for 6 years travelling around the country on various other shows including returning to Ringling with my act in 1993.

Credit: Probably my mother again.

I'm very proud that I am one of the few who got to ride an elephant.

Credit: Not sure

I went on to do a solo aerial act of my own. Follow your dreams!!

Credit: Not sure

Me and the Flying Espana ladies in 1985.

Credit: Laura Weiss Las Vegas

Jon Weiss Getting shot out of the cannon, I did this for 15 years on the Ringling Blue and Red show.

Credit: Jon Weiss Las Vegas

1983 my first year of the 27 years we spent touring with the Greatest Show on Earth. Laura Weiss, elephant rider.

Credit: Jim Bove, Malverne, NY

David DeGroot (4) & Kathy DeGroot (2) visiting with the clowns while watching Ringling Bros Circus walk from the train to Nassau Coliseum November 1974. David was thrilled. Kathy not so much.

Credit: Sam Haddock

Baby elephant being chained down for training for Ringling Bros. Circus at the Center for Elephant Conservation.

Credit: Laura Weiss Las Vegas

Jon Weiss 1982, my first year with Ringling. Portraying a mom in the classic fire house clown gag!

Credit: Sam Haddock

Baby elephant training at the Center for Elephant Conservation (owned by Ringling), taken by Sam Haddock

Credit: Don't remember

Clown Jon Weiss and Showgirl Laura Weiss Our wedding day May 2 1986 Madison Square Garden

Credit: Don't remember

Clown Jon Weiss and show girl Laura weiss

Credit: Erin McCarthy

The elephants