Three-year-old Richard Caglione sheds tears as a stranger, in this case, Emmett Kelly, featured clown with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, picks him up during New York's first circus parade in 19 years on April 9, 1945.

Kenneth Feld, the chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment, which owns the circus, told The Associated Press the show will end following a 146-year run of performances due to declining attendance combined with high operating costs.