An end to an era approaches for Ringling Bros circus

It’s the end to an era for the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Baily Circus. Only a handful of shows remain, leaving some former performers now reflecting on their times with the circus.

KESQ and CBS Local 2’s Jeremy Chen was recently in northern San Diego County to go beyond the big top and give you an inside look into the business and the issues affecting ticket sales

We’ll hear from Linda Holst. a showgirl with the circus from the mid 1970s to the early 1980s. She performed a variety of acts, including the famed elephant routine. The circus retired the elephant act due to pressure from animal rights groups and regulations of exotic animals.

The decision led to lower ticket sales, and the announcement the circus would close.

Watch Behind the Big Top on KESQ News Channel 3 at 11 p.m. to hear the former showgirl reveal her life in the circus and her thoughts about its end.