The circus is in town through Sunday at the Huntington Center in Toledo.
This year the circus is themed Dragons. To celebrate the diversity in the Toledo community in this Chinese year of the dragon, one acrobat troupe gave a group of adopted kids quite a surprise.
On Friday morning the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus treated 50 Toledo-area kids adopted from China to behind-the-scenes access and a private performance.
8-year-old Daniel Perkins of Perrysburg enjoys learning Tai Chi.
"I had fun," says Perkins who calls the Kung Fu Warriors his favorite part of the show.
"I think all adopted children need to have a sense of their identity and their culture and their homeland from where they came and China is just so rich in culture and beauty," says Teri Perkin's, Daniel's mom.
The dancers from the Greater Toledo Chinese Association were the highlight of the day for Kelly Strauss' two adopted girls.
"They're very much Americanized, but I think it's important that we do keep their background, where they came from," says Kelly Strauss, mom from Wauseon.
The Houghtalings of Curtice say this is an extra special day for their 4-year-old daughter Ava.
"We adopted her actually two years ago yesterday," says Sarah Houghtaling, Ava's mom.
"It was awesome. We loved every minute of it," says John Houghtaling, Ava's dad.
The Ringmaster is proud to call the circus not only the Greatest Show on Earth but the most diverse show in show business.
"Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey is all about community," says Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson. "That's really why we've been so endearing and enduring for 142 years, why people continue to come out wherever we are. We're open to all cultures."
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:27 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:27:36 GMT
K.C. Collete submitted his resignation as a member of Findlay City Council Wednesday.He did not specify a reason for his departure in his resignation letter, reports 13abc media partner The Toledo Blade.
K.C. Collete submitted his resignation as a member of Findlay City Council Wednesday. Collete was arrested on a petty theft charge over the weekend for allegedly attempting to steal two bottles of vitamins.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:12 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:12:19 GMT
A Maumee doctor facing 30 drug charges was set to go on trial Wednesday, but the trial was pushed back until next month. Dr. Barry Deran is charged with 15 counts each of drug possession and drug trafficking. He is
A Maumee doctor facing 30 drug charges was set to go on trial Wednesday, but the trial was pushed back until next month.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:20:59 GMT
Toledo Police are on the scene of a rollover accident on I-475 between Corey Road and Talmadge Road after a vehicle lost control and flipped over into a ditch. Police are still trying to piece together
Toledo Police are on the scene of a rollover accident on I-475 between Corey Road and Talmadge Road after a vehicle lost control and flipped over into a ditch.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:20:00 GMT
Lucas County prosecutors are not giving up in their pursuit of a former Ottawa Hills police officer who shot and paralyzed a man. Now the case is headed to the Ohio Supreme Court after a ruling Wednesday.
Lucas County prosecutors are not giving up in their pursuit of a former Ottawa Hills police officer who shot and paralyzed a man. Now the case is headed to the Ohio Supreme Court after a ruling Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:16 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:16:56 GMT
More than five hundred swat team officers are training in Northwest Ohio this week for the Ohio Tactical Officers Association Conference. With the increasing threats that face our communities swat teams
More than five hundred swat team officers are training in Northwest Ohio this week for the Ohio Tactical Officers Association Conference.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:07 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:07:58 GMT
A grandma in Fostoria fights off a man who tried to kidnap her grandson. 13 ABC's Christine Long spoke with the grandmother who battled for the boy kicking and screaming. Anyone you talk to in town
"I'm grateful that God gave me the strength to fight the man off," says Paulette Barchus who kicked and screamed on Wednesday to protect her grandson.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:27 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:27:36 GMT
K.C. Collete submitted his resignation as a member of Findlay City Council Wednesday.He did not specify a reason for his departure in his resignation letter, reports 13abc media partner The Toledo Blade.
K.C. Collete submitted his resignation as a member of Findlay City Council Wednesday. Collete was arrested on a petty theft charge over the weekend for allegedly attempting to steal two bottles of vitamins.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:12 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:12:19 GMT
A Maumee doctor facing 30 drug charges was set to go on trial Wednesday, but the trial was pushed back until next month. Dr. Barry Deran is charged with 15 counts each of drug possession and drug trafficking. He is
A Maumee doctor facing 30 drug charges was set to go on trial Wednesday, but the trial was pushed back until next month.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:20:59 GMT
Toledo Police are on the scene of a rollover accident on I-475 between Corey Road and Talmadge Road after a vehicle lost control and flipped over into a ditch. Police are still trying to piece together
Toledo Police are on the scene of a rollover accident on I-475 between Corey Road and Talmadge Road after a vehicle lost control and flipped over into a ditch.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:20:00 GMT
Lucas County prosecutors are not giving up in their pursuit of a former Ottawa Hills police officer who shot and paralyzed a man. Now the case is headed to the Ohio Supreme Court after a ruling Wednesday.
Lucas County prosecutors are not giving up in their pursuit of a former Ottawa Hills police officer who shot and paralyzed a man. Now the case is headed to the Ohio Supreme Court after a ruling Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:16 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:16:56 GMT
More than five hundred swat team officers are training in Northwest Ohio this week for the Ohio Tactical Officers Association Conference. With the increasing threats that face our communities swat teams
More than five hundred swat team officers are training in Northwest Ohio this week for the Ohio Tactical Officers Association Conference.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:11:42 GMT
The Toledo mayor's race may be a crowded affair but so far no viable Republicans. All seven announced candidates have to first file petitions and be certified by the Lucas County Board of Elections.
Toledo Mayor Mike Bell has the financial backing of Republicans and the Independent could get the party's endorsement.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:42 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:42:15 GMT
A Toledo woman needs your help tonight. Her service dog disappeared late Monday night and is still missing. Robin Reau, 60, has uncontrollable seizures. Seven years ago she got Kaden- a specially trained
A Central Toledo woman is looking for her missing service dog. The dog is a black and white Lhaso Apso name Kamden. The dog disappeared from a home near Ashland and Bancroft Monday. The dog is trained to detect seizures before they happen and alert the owner. If you have any information about the dog call 13ABC.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:12 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:12:14 GMT
A North Baltimore woman who faked having cancer pleaded guilty to theft charges Wednesday. Kimberlie Gustwiler faces up to three years in jail. She is currently out on bond. The single mother claimed
A North Baltimore woman who faked having cancer pleaded guilty to theft charges Wednesday. Kimberlie Gustwiler faces up to three years in jail. She is currently out on bond.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:45 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:45:11 GMT
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was in court Wednesday morning. Deputy Paul Little is accused of giving a firearm to a convicted felon and filing a false report that the gun was stolen. The 15-year veteran
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was in court Wednesday morning. Deputy Paul Little is accused of giving a firearm to a convicted felon and filing a false report that the gun was stolen.