Lexington is one of the few cities that offers a "behind the scenes" animal display. We were able to get up close and personal with the horses, zebras, elephants, and tigers. Of course, the pachyderms were the biggest hit! While we were there they used a leaf blower to clean the dirt off the elephants' backs and then began strapping their circus goodies on their heads!
Inside Rupp Arena, we got to walk the floor and meet performers and see Asia the elephant paint a few pictures.
The actual circus was....amazing! They definitely do put on "the greatest show on Earth" - or at the very least, something close to it! Anna was completely spellbound and Libby sat completely still for the first hour (then we got cotton candy which inspired much wiggling and squirming).
We saw high jumping tumbling...
...and also jumping through the flaming hoop!
Lots of elephants standing on stools...
...and a few sitting on stools...
Even some elephants dancing on stools!
A Tiger Tamer teaching tigers some tricks...
...and I wonder what the fire extinguisher is for. There was no fire in this routine. Hmmmm.... =)
The ending show was also impressive (although not nearly as much as the beginning). Notice the wheel in the background. The performer on the wheel kept slipping while attempting to jump rope and run around the outside of the wheel. I thought for sure we'd have a flattened circus man before the end of the show. Fortunately, we did not!
If you get a chance, don't miss the circus! I'm already looking forward to the next time the Ringling Bros. Circus descends on Lexington! 
