![Famed Ringling Bros. Circus Announces Closure: Celebrities React, Rejoice and Reminisce](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2017/01/ringling-bros.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Famed Ringling Bros. Circus Announces Closure: Celebrities React, Rejoice and Reminisce
The iconic Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is finally closing its curtain after more than 100 years of operation.
In a press release issued by Feld Entertainment, the production company behind the famed circus troupe since 1967, it was announced that the show's final performance ever will be held in May.
Declining ticket sales "made the circus an unsustainable business for the company," Feld Entertainment CEO Kenneth Feld revealed in the release, adding that after the circus pulled its elephants from the show, the event "saw an even more dramatic drop" in attendance.
For years, the Ringling Bros. circus, which was established in 1884, has come under fire for its controversial inclusion and alleged abusive treatment of performance elephants, as well as its many other performing animals.
After the announcement was made, many animal rights activists, including PETA, celebrated the victory for animal welfare on social media. Others, however, expressed their disappointment over the loss of an American entertainment institution.
See some varied reactions from stars like Pamela Anderson, Seth MacFarlane and more, below:
See Photos of Celebrities Giving Back:
More From 94.3 WCYY
![Pats Take Down Texans 34-16, Lewis 3 TDs [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/591/files/2017/01/A310.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Lincolns: Our Favorite Bar Beneath The Streets of Portland](http://townsquare.media/site/698/files/2017/01/Linception.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Is a Smashing Pumpkins Reunion in the Works?](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2014/11/Smashing-Pumpkins.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Ready for the 2017 Beach to Beacon? Registration is Coming Up in March](http://townsquare.media/site/696/files/2017/01/14124360_1389440377736876_3906111674442567237_o.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Peeved Man Pays DMV Bill With 300,000 Pennies](http://townsquare.media/site/341/files/2017/01/Pennies.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![‘Wayne’s World’ Returning to Theaters in February (Party Time! Excellent!)](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2015/02/waynes-world-best-comedies.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Cage the Elephant Deliver ‘Cold Cold Cold’ Operation in New Video](http://townsquare.media/site/366/files/2017/01/Cage-the-Elephant-Cold-Cold-Cold.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![WATCH: Local Musician Creates “Cumbahlin Fahms” Jingle That Will Stick In Your Head Forever](http://townsquare.media/site/698/files/2017/01/Cumberland-Farms.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Ghost at Biddeford City Theater Caught on Camera](http://townsquare.media/site/698/files/2017/01/Biddeford-City-Theater-ghost.png?w=980&q=75)