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Cole Brothers Circus

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NEW HANOVER COUNTY -- The Cole Brothers Circus kicks off Thursday, April 10th through Sunday April 13. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and children under 13. Tickets can be purchased at the Azalea Festival ticket office at 5725 Oleander Dr. in Wilmington.

Showtimes

April 10-11 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. April 12 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. April 13 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

Disclaimer: Comments posted on this, or any story are opinions of those people posting them, and not the views or opinions of WWAY NewsChannel 3, its management or employees. You can view our comment policy here.

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Circus

A total rip off. Printed off coupon from Cole Bros. website and when we got to the circus they would not honor the coupons. Of course you can not leave when your kids are all excited. I will never go back.

circus

It's like my Dad used to say, "you seen one you've seen them all." Down town Wilmington is a circus in it's self. lol !

are u really serious

Are you guys really complaining about animal cruelity?? This is crazy. So are the dolphins and whales at Sea World mistreated too? Those animals are probaly the luckiest animals in the world. They are served good food and kept in great shelters and doctors are sure to check them out every now and then. Your post makes no sense. I am sure they have to yell at them or hit them to train them but I am sure you do the same thing to your dog or cat.

Haha wow

Its dumb people like you that go to circuses. But let me beat you with a metal bullhook the same that they use on elephants to train them and lets see how you like it. And there are ways to train animals without hurting them. And great shelter? Hahaha elephants are supposed to walk up ti 30 miles away like they would in the wild and being chained up for days at a time is really great shelter. Go chain yourself in a cage that you can't even move around in. Grow up and learn the dang truth.

Circuses are cruel to animals

How stupid are you people? Taking an animal away from its home, whipping it and thinking it's enjoying itself! Well why don't we take you away from your home, lock you up in a cell and beat you to you bleed. Animals are alive to, and it's is not entertaining to see them jump through hopes and dance when the people who are watching the show actually care that the animals are enjoying it themselves.

Thankyou, atleast you have a

Thankyou, atleast you have a brain AND a heart. Some people like "It's ok to hit animals to train them" up there seems to have neither!

Animal Cruelty

Your ignorance on the entire subject of the circus and animal cruelty is quite disgusting. It shows just how easily society is beat into a terrible trans of accepting horrific acts. Exotic animals are taken from their natural wild habitat at birth and forced into a lack of proper diet, and vetenary attention. They are mentally distraught from losing their mothers, and will never be able to live in the wild. They are forced to do nearly impossible tasks for the entertainment of ignorant bastards, such as yourself. If they can't complete these tasks, they are prodded with electric shocks, whipped to bleeding point, and beaten brutally with bats and chains. Is it right that an infant be taken from his/her mother from birth, and thus forced to perform unnatural tasks for the purpose of profit for greedy people? Your way of reason and over all logic is lacking any intelligence, and people such as yourself should look into subjects before making false, and embarrassing comments.

I took my child to see this

I took my child to see this circus what a mistake at Sea World the animals were given positive re enforcement in the means of whistles and snacks these poor tigers were being whipped not the ground being whipped the tigers were they were being abused right in front of me I have been to circus's before and never saw such a thing whats worse it is run by a bunch of illegals I would have to guess We walked out those poor animals with there ears back and hissing I was praying the whole time that the trainer would be eaten alive would serve him right

Seriously

You really do need to educate yourself. You say circus animals are the luckiest animals in the world? Okay, so we will take you out of your natural environment, place you in a jail cell, serve you food, allow you to see doctors if health issues become really bad and we'll then say you're the luckiest person in the world.
Oh and if you want to go exercise or socialize with other people, we'll yell at you and hit you because you're not supposed to do that.
I can't believe how ignorant some people STILL ARE even with all the resources available via the internet. It's such a shame.

yes, it is serious

You need to educate yourself.

Cruelty Capital, USA

Anyone who thinks going to a Circus is fun needs to have their brains checked.

It's pure torture for all the animals.

Check out my blog, or google Phoenix Aquua, and Cruelty USA

Absolutely ignorant people go watch animals treated badly.

Fundamentally!

"Free Ticket" is misleading

My mother took my son and niece last night in Greenville. She said the show was nice, but it was total rip off, price wise. We've all seen these tickets that say "Free Ticket-Admit 1 Child under 13 General Admission." It then goes on to say that you can reserve a seat for $3 extra or VIP seats for $5 extra. My mother said when they got there, that it was $3 per child -- there wasn't a free admission. By the time it was said and done, she ending up paying over $20 to get in. And the concessions and souvenirs were also overpriced -- $5 for a bag of cotton candy?! She paid $12 for a little light saber for my son, which only lights up halfway now. I saw on another site that there were general admission seats, but there were so few and so far in the back of the tent, that you would have no choice but to pay the $3 per child because the General Admission seats would already be full. I just feel like this circus is a complete rip off.

I am a protester

I don't understand how people can overlook the cruelty behind our lifestyle, including the circus. God didn't not put animals on this planet for the sake of human entertainment. I seen those elephants in the parade at the Azalea Festival and they looked miserable. You could hear the comments from the people in the crowd. Of course they're unhappy. You could see the trainer with the bull hook just hitting the poor thing in the leg. Would you want to be paraded down the street with some guy constantly hitting you with a bull hook? The fact of the matter is, is that some people care & some people don't. Those that choose ignorance is bliss choose to be manipulated. It's not just the circus that is cruel to life but many of the things that are apart of your everyday life. No one wants to think about it. I may be one of a handful that protest things like the circus and the majority of people will ignore the message. You choose to be informed and you choose to have a voice. I choose to be informed & speak out for those who can't. For all those who want to critize that... who's going to speak for you when you can't. Please educate yourself, especially if you're planning on contributing to something as cruel as the circus.

Animals

No, God put animals on this planet for us to eat!!!

The dates posted here on

The dates posted here on wway tv 3 are not the same as on the free passes. Passes say 2nd to the 5th.

Circus Shmurcus

We have taken our kids to this circus many times over the years. I have to tell you, it is a total rip off. We deceided 2 years ago that we had had enough. The show is horrible, short, and way overpriced. Even if you do use discount coupons, it's still not worth it. The staff is RUDE, and only want to upgrade your ticket. Last time we went, the high wire dancers were wearing G-STRINGS...I don't call that G rated. I call it Pornographic. Its not beauty, its nasty. If I pay to go see a show, I expect entertainment. What ever happened to the guy on the high wire bike, or the people on stilts? I'm surprised they still do the cannon at the end of the 30 min. performance. Its just not what it was when I was a kid. My mom says a different circus comes to her town, and its great. So much for Wilmington.

G-strong

Hey, whats wrong with the women in the g-strings. That is the best part of the whole cirus

Definitely Depends on the Circus

If you go to those cheesy yellow and red circuses like Cole brothers and Carson Barnes I would definitely see your problem. When we use to beg our mom to take us to the free coupon circus like Cole brothers she said that is was cheap and if we went we would be at Ringling Brothers. They do a lot of silk acts and there is a guy on the high wire with a motorcycle and a girl swinging underneath. Then they had these acrobats on these bouncy toys who bounced up and created a 12 or so person pyramid. Of course due to the treatment of animals I stick to Big Apple Circus where elephants are farm raised and bred, Cirque de Soleil , and Zoppé the family owned Italian circus.

CIRCUS!

Having been very involved in animal rescue, I can't wait to get to the circus!! It's fun.

The circus is fun????

If you have been involved in animal rescue how can you say the circus is fun? The fact of the matter is those animals are beat on a daily bases for our entertainment...that's fun for you? These facts and 1st hand video's can be viewed on circus.com. No animal should have to indure a 30 min beating for not performing or pissing on themselves because they are so scared of humans. What is fun about that? They are transported in carts for long hours daily (like 12-15) in the hot weather or cold with no water or food going from one city to the next. Don't you think they would be happier in the WILD where they belong? I'm sure they want to stand on balls and perform trick for us gracious people. Many, many animals have died as a result of the circus...so is that fun for you? Not for them. Please do your research before stating something you obliviously know nothing about. See for yourself...Go to where they off load these animals and see how they are treated as well as visiting circus.com for the FACTS. Would you like to be handled with a bull hook? Well, neither do they! I will not be at the circus except to demonstrate for the cruelest show on earth.

Who's going to protest the circus

I was wondering if anyone is going to go out and protest at the cruelest show on earth? I would like to attend the protest.

Hello?? Is Reality here Somewhere?

You know guys.... how many people does it take to beat a dead horse? How many years have people been wrapped up in the idea of stopping the animal cruelty? Has it ever worked effectively? Amazingly, millions of people still attend this and other circuses in cities all over the world. Can you really stop them? No, say I. I personally, have other issues with the circus. I'm pretty suspicious of illegal migrant workers, price gouging, pick- pocketing, kidnapping, overflowing garbage cans swarming with yellow jackets, and hordes of rude, inconsiderate jerks. I couldn't enjoy myself if I tried. I took my daughters to this last year and that will probably be the last time. Good luck to the lot of you poor saps attending. Fort Fisher Aquarium and Parks, Turtle Hospital in Topsail, Serpentarium, Disc Golf in Castle Hayne or Jacksonville, Fishing at the Secret Spot, Camping at the North End.... just some better ways to spend your money. Another way to think about the entire ordeal is this: averaging 20 dollars a head, Let's estimate low at 25,000 people.... 500,000 dollars would be what the circus is raking in. A half of a million dollars that could be better spent in Wilmington's own economy. Just think about it.

Hello?? Is Reality here Somewhere?

I agree with you, concerning better ways to spend your money. We take our kids to the Aquariums, the Zoo, and we've also been to the Serpentarium. With an annual membership to the NC Aquariums/Zoo, you can get unlimited access for a year, with 2 adults, and no limit on the number of kids in your family. I believe the price is $50. You learn so much more, and the animals are protected.

know the circus preformers?

I have been attending the Cole Bros. Circus for many years. I know alot of the workers and preformers that come back every year. They are not "illegal immigrants" as you call them. They have to go home every year which is at the end of their tour, and renew their work visas and such,they come back after their "break" to start learning the new show. It would be pretty hard to get clowns smuggled across the border year after year from Chile, don't you think? They aren't all from Mexico, some of the workers are, but the preformers aren't. They are from all parts of the world. As for the dirty trash cans, I can agree with that, and the bathrooms aren't all that, but what port-a-potty is? It's the tradition that brings people back year after year. Though I was disappointed with it last year because they have downsized from a 3 ring circus to only one. Myself and many others enjoy the circus and what it stands for.

Circuses and animals

For all you folks who think you know elephants, tigers and other circus animals are routinely mistreated: How close have you been to the "backyard" of a circus? Do you know anything about circus animals, aside from what PETA tells you? I have. I worked two seasons on a show some years ago, and have been around various circuses off-and-on for the past 50 years, so I have a little first-hand experience. Think: An elephant and a tiger or lion are the biggest attractions a circus has; something no other form of live entertainment can offer. They don't come cheap, and their care isn't cheap. Why would anyone whose livelihood depended on these living "assets" want to abuse, starve or mistreat them? Circus animal handlers, even those who don't form sentimental attachments, understand the animals have to be happy and healthy to work and have long, productive lives. (Incidentally, I can tell you from first-hand experience that circus animals enjoy performing. One elephant trainer told me that sometimes one of them would give him a nudge if he missed a cue during the act.) I don't doubt that there are some misfits who abuse animals on a circus, just as there are people who abuse their pet dogs and cats. We don't bar people from having pets; we punish those who abuse them. It works the same way in the circus businses.

Cole Bros. Circus.....MUST READ!........URGENT!

Urge the USDA to Confiscate Ailing Elephants Tina and Jewel Tina and Jewel, two severely neglected elephants, urgently need your help! They belong to Cole Bros., a circus that was assessed a $10,000 penalty by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for abusing elephants with bullhooks. Now things have gone from bad to worse. PETA filed a complaint with the USDA after confirming a whistleblower report noting that Jewel was emaciated. The USDA subsequently removed both elephants from the road, stating that, in the case of Jewel, "continued travel would be detrimental to her health ...." But now they are being housed at an unapproved facility in Leggett, Texas, and USDA inspection reports document a troubling pattern of poor health and Animal Welfare Act violations. According to one recent inspection, an elephant expert "determined that both elephants showed an alarming amount of weight loss." Cole Bros. is leasing the elephants to Davenport's Gigi Exotics, which tours under a variety of circus names, such as L.E. Barnes and Bailey Circus and Starr Bros. Circus. The Davenport family formerly operated the King Royal Circus, until its USDA license was permanently revoked when a young African elephant named Heather was found dead in a crowded, overheated trailer. PETA and In Defense of Animals are calling for these elephants to be confiscated by the USDA and relocated to The Elephant Sanctuary, where they can receive proper nourishment and veterinary care from qualified elephant caretakers. Please send polite letters to the USDA asking that it confiscate both elephants and transfer them to a sanctuary immediately: Chester A. Gipson, D.V.M., Deputy Administrator USDA-APHIS-AC 4700 River Rd., Unit 84 Riverdale, MD 20737-1234 301-734-7833 301-734-4993 (fax)

Thank goodness her new

Thank goodness her new handler Will Davenport knows more about elephants than the former handler Adam Hill. He has done such a fantastic job that she has gained over 1000 lbs in his care. It is nice to know that people who do love animals can care for them while on the road.

Davenport Elelphants

Obviously you did not read the letter very well. THe care of the elephants have greatly declined since the take over of Davenport. He has already as the artical stated,had charges against him from the usda. The elepahnts have dropped weight and have had to be confiscated from his care. Adam Hill was the only handler that had nothing but excellent repots from usda, and all the vets that came in contact with him all over the usa. His care was the top that the elephants recieved in their lifetime. They were not treated as animals, but as memebers of his family. THe love and care that they got was something that they will never see again!! Even in a Sanctuary. So,people really need to check out their facts and know what they are talking about before they open their mouth and put their foot in it!!!All of these facts can be proven.

Animal Abuse

I would like to know what those of you who are still arguing about the ticket prices think about the animal abuse issue. The comments posted by other posters regarding the inexcusable treatment of the elephants and other animals are completely correct. How can you read about the way these majestic animals are being abused and still your only complaint is that the tickets cost too much? Ignorance might be an excuse for why people still attend the circus, but if you've read this you are not ignorant anymore. You now know how the animals are treated and if you still give the circus your money, you are directly supporting animal abuse. Shame on you.

RAMPAGING ELEPHANTS

7/10/95 About a dozen people were injured as they collided while trying to run from two Cole Bros. elephants who broke free before a show at Forest Park in the Queens section of New York. Seven people were treated by Emergency Medical Service and at the hospital. The elephants also damaged property including a car.(Associated Press, The Cincinnati Post)