Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Fully Charged

Posted Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The circus is in town - Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Fully Charged just started its two-venue run at Allstate Arena, and I was super excited to take my daughter Mia for her very first circus experience. She just turned three and a half, and I wasn't sure if she'd have the attention span for it, or if she'd even be able to stay awake.

Turns out, it held her interest and kept her mesmerized. This show has so much energy, I don't think it would be possible for anyone to so much as think about nodding off during the performance. The show was definitely charged, from the bright costumes, loud music and fast pace to the quality of the acts.

From the start, Mia was clapping along to the music and straining to get a view. The music was a bit loud for her - in the beginning she told me that we should go home because it was so loud it scared her - but she quickly forgot about this.

We marveled at the high-flying feats of the aerial artists and tightrope walkers, and watched in awe as The Human Fuse was catapulted as a ball of fire more than 100 feet across the length of the arena. And we laughed at the clowns, who entertained the crowd with their antics - we especially loved the bike with oversized innertube wheels that rolled around the rings between acts. I think the animals stole the show for many of the younger kids in the crowd, especially the enormous elephants parading around the arena who we could see so closely.

This was an electrifying show that will thrill your entire family!

United Center, 1901 W. Madison Street, Chicago
November 16 - 27

November 3 - 13
Allstate Arena, 6920 North Mannheim Road, Rosemont

 Visit the ChicagoKids.com blog.