Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Barnum’s FUNundrum

Last night, my family and I went to see Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Barnum’s FUNundrum, and I can sum it up in one word: AWESOME. Actually, that probably deserves to be in all caps because that is exactly how it felt from the moment the lights went down. My husband and I found ourselves just as entertained as the kids, which says a lot. It is not always easy to find something that keeps the whole family completely engaged. However, this show absolutely did.

We went to the circus last year, and while it was good, it felt a little different from what I remembered growing up. There was a heavy focus on magic acts, which were impressive, but not quite the classic circus experience that lives in my childhood memories. This year’s show, though, brought all of that back. It felt like the circus I remember as a kid — big performances, dazzling costumes, high-energy acts, and those moments that make you hold your breath before bursting into applause. Also, it had that larger-than-life excitement that makes the circus feel truly special.

The best part, by far, was watching my kids’ faces throughout the night.

First, there is the preshow. Madison actually got pulled out of the crowd for this!  (she’s in a red shirt!)

The opening of the show:

Their eyes were wide with awe and delight during every act. There is something magical about seeing your children experience that kind of wonder. To be fair, Madison probably boosted her glowing excitement by devouring an entire bag of cotton candy. I am fairly certain she consumed about a pound of sugar. Yet somehow she still managed to fall asleep on the way home. So maybe the sugar rush was not quite as powerful as I expected!

My own personal favorite part was when the super hero clowns pulled up:

The close of the show was an awesome celebration too!

If Barnum’s FUNundrum comes to your town, I genuinely recommend going. It is one of those experiences that reminds you why live shows are so special. The energy, the talent, the laughter, and the shared family memories make it completely worth it. We had such a fantastic time, and I would go again in a heartbeat.