Sad news as the Big Apple Circus announced that it will not perform this year at Lincoln Center due to a lack of funds. The 35-year-old circus started an emergency fund-raising drive recently with a goal of raising $2 million. Ultimately, the circus raised only $900,000 according to The New York TImes. The not-for-profit circus, started 35 years ago, will continue its community programs for children in hospitals and nursing homes. The circus was hoping that a wealthy New Yorker or local firm would step up with the necessary funds, but no big donors materialized.
Our family started attending the circus about eight years ago when our daughter was old enough to enjoy the show. One of the unexpected benefits of parenthood is discovering fun events for the kids…that parents actually enjoy. Mom and dad looked forward to the show as much as our daughter. The circus was held every year in New York City at a tent at Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center. The venue was cozy, with only 16 rows of seats surrounding the ring and no seat more than 50 feet from ringside. Big Apple Circus will be sorely missed and I hope the beloved circus can get back on their feet soon.