Elephants, big cats and dragons, oh my! The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus makes its way into Downtown and D.C. led by an elephant convoy in the annual DC Pachyderm Parade, taking place around 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19. Watch the nimble beasts strut from the National Mall up 3rd, G and 6th streets en route to the Verizon Center (601 F Street), where the circus will kick off a four-day extravaganza beginning Thursday, March 21.
Always a cherished ritual, the Pachyderm delights and astounds both adults and children as the procession moves from Virginia Avenue SE and makes its way into Downtown. A few Chinatown and Penn Quarter neighborhood bars and restaurants, including Carmine’s (425 7th Street), Penn Quarter Sports Tavern (639 Indiana Avenue), and Vapiano (623 H Street), plan to join the fun by hosting a “Clown around Downtown Happy Hour” before the parade and offering menu specials from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Expect abbreviated or extended hours at some establishments.) Also, expect some giveaways such as clown noses and other outrageous or fun circus gear.
Nine circus performances—under the heading, DRAGONS!—will take place this year through Sunday, March 24. Expect the usual–clowns, acrobats, martial arts performers and exotic animals. But don’t miss the free, pre-circus show an hour before show time. Little visitors and adult ticketholders can share in the merriment by learning juggling and balancing skills, dressing in circus garb, watching an artistic elephant paint a “masterpiece,” and interacting with the clowns.
For updates about the parade, contact the animal walk hotline at 1-866-683-3670 or visit Twitter @DCElephantWalk. Circus tickets are available for $15 up to $110 per person. Click here for more information.