Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus Chicago Ticket Giveaway

It's not even Halloween, and already a friend of mine asked if I am working with Feld Entertainment on promoting the annual Chicago visit of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus to both Allstate Arena and the United Center. The good news?  Yes, I am.  And yes, she has already bought her circus tickets with the discount I have to share.

This year's big top features the show Dragons, one I know Mister Man will be excited to see.  The show celebrates the Year of the Dragon, and brings together mystic dragon lore and authentic circus feats.  The show will once again start at Allstate Arena before moving to the United Center.  One new thing this year?  The Allstate Arena joins the United Center in offering free parking in the official lots, making this year even more of a treat than ever.

The shows at Allstate Arena run:
Thursday November 1 at 7pm - $12 tickets for opening night!
Friday November 2 at 10:30am and 7pm
Saturdays November 3 and 10 at 11:30am, 3:30pm, and 7:30pm
Sundays November 4 and 11 at 1pm and 5pm - special Spanish language concert after the 5pm show and tickets are $5 more
Wednesday through Friday November 7-9 at 7pm

The shows at the United Center are:
Wednesday November 14 at 7pm - $12 opening night tickets
Thursday and Friday November 15 and 16 at 10:30am and 7pm
Friday November 23 and Saturdays November 17 and 24 at 11:30am, 3:30pm, and 7:30pm
Sundays November 18 and 25 at 1pm and 5pm - special Spanish language concert after the 5pm show and tickets are $5 more
Tuesday November 20 at 7pm
Wednesday November 21 at 2pm and 7pm

The show is fun for all ages, with a free all-access preshow for 90 minutes before the start of the performance.  All ticket holders are invited to the arena floor for the Power Party where you can meet your favorite performers and animals.

Tickets range from $13 to $90 for the Circus Celebrity tickets (where you and your family are actually a part of the circus and which sell out quickly!), but I have a 40% discount code for weekday shows and 20% off all weekend shows.  Simply enter the promo code MOM when you order your tickets. (Fine print: Weekday is defined as any show Monday through Thursday or Friday matinee, not including holidays such as the day after Thanksgiving. Discount does not apply to Circus Celebrity, Front Row, or VIP seats. No double discounts. Service charges, handling, and facility fees may apply.)

So are you ready to head off to the big top?  I have a family pack of tickets to give away for your choice of shows: at Allstate Arena on Thursday, November 1 at 7pm or Friday, November 2 at 10:30am or at United Center on Wednesday November 14 at 7pm.  First of all, let me stress that you must follow all the rules. If you do not follow the rules, your entry will not count!

This contest is open until Thursday October 25 at 7pm CST. I must have a valid way to reach you, so leave me your email address in your comment or be sure your profile has your email address visible. No duplicate comments will count. This giveaway is open to US residents age 18 and older. Winners will be selected via random.org and must respond within 24 hours of being notified by me or I will select a new winner.

Mandatory Entry: Tell me - what is your favorite circus act?

Bonus Entries (leave a comment for each entry - if you put it all in one comment, I'll count it as one entry):
1) Earn one additional entry for following me on Twitter, then tweeting this contest with the following tweet: "Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® is coming to Chicago.  Win tickets via @honestandtruly. http://bit.ly/W7STUf #ChiRingling" (leave a link to your tweet as your comment and make sure you do all the steps!)
2) Earn one additional entry by following this review blog publicly via Google Friend Connect.
3) Earn one additional entry by following my “regular” blog Honest & Truly! publicly via Google Friend Connect.
4) Earn one additional entry by liking Honest & Truly! on Facebook. (Yay, it's legal again, so long as you know you have to leave a comment here to enter and that simply liking me isn't the entry, along with acknowledging the fact that Facebook has nothing to do with this giveaway whatsoever.
5) Earn an additional entry by putting me in your Google Plus circle. Am I already in your G+ circle? No problem - just leave a comment letting me know that you've added me or already have me there.

Good luck!

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a Feld Family Ambassador.  As such, I am receiving complimentary tickets to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus as part of my outreach.  I am not otherwise compensated.  As always, all opinions expressed remain my own.

Winners!

I have winners for three different giveaways to announce today. And yes, I have more giveaways coming soon - hopefully one later this afternoon, too. Yay, right?

Elisabeth (no blog) won the Pink Together giveaway and has 48 hours to get back to me before drawing a new winner.

Kristy from Momma Loves 2 Shop! won the tickets to see Ringling Brothers in Chicago. Because of the timely nature of this one, she has just 24 hours to get back to me.

Susan from Susan's Disney Family won the $100 Red Envelope gift certificate and also has 48 hours to get back to me. BUT I have another $100 gift certificate from Red Envelope coming soon, so stay tuned!

Congrats everyone!

Giveaway: 4 Pack of Ringling Bros Tickets (Chicago)

This year, Ringling is coming back to Chicago for their annual trek through the United Center and the Allstate Arena (so hard for me not to call it the Rosemont, STILL). Fully Charged - the name of this year's Ringling Brothers show - is at the Allstate from November 3 to 13 and at the UC from November 17 to 27.

The show includes the usual suspects from animal trainers to clowns, but the focus is on the power of the circus. You will see Tabayara with his animal acts from riding a rearing stallions to performing with twelve tigers. There is also the strongmen with their feats, including acrobats balancing on the very items they're lifting. Personally, I can't wait to see the human crossbow. And yes, yes there will be clowns, as always!

One of the parts that really makes the circus special for the wee ones is the all access pre-show where all ticket holders are invited into the floor for an hour before the circus to meet selected performers, try on clothes, and more. It's always a highlight - and another reason to be sure we get there early!

Does it sound like a show you want to attend? Get your kids excited about it, too. Tell them that you're going by printing out the coloring sheet so they have something to get excited about. I know this is one of Little Miss's favorite things to do.

I know you've been waiting for the "what's in it for me" moment, and there is a great discount available again this year. You can get 4 Tickets for $44 on Weekday Shows OR Save $4 on Weekend Shows! (Weekday shows include any performances Monday through Thursday. Weekend shows include any performance Friday through Sunday.) To take advantage of this offer, use the offer code "MOM" at Ticketmaster.com, at the box office, or call 800-745-3000. Note that this offer is not valid on Circus Celebrity, Front Row or VIP seating. No double discounts. Service Charges, Handling and Facility Fees may apply.

And don't forget my very favorite part of seeing family events at the UC - free parking! Yep, you don't have to pay an additional fee to park when you see the Fully Charged show downtown, and that's something that I know makes lots of people happy, not just me.

There's more than just the discount though! I have a family four pack of tickets to give away to someone. The winner gets to choose the date: Thursday Nov. 3 @ 7:00 pm, Wednesday Nov. 9 @ 7:00 pm, Wednesday Nov. 10 @ 7:00 pm, Wednesday Nov. 16 @ 7:00 pm, or Thursday Nov. 17 @ 7:00 pm. So what do you have to do to win? First of all, let me stress that you must follow all the rules. If you do not follow the rules, your entry will not count!

This contest is open until Monday October 23 at 7pm CST. I must have a valid way to reach you, so leave me your email address in your comment or be sure your profile has your email address visible. No duplicate comments will count. This giveaway is open to US residents age 18 and older. Winners will be selected via random.org and must respond within 24 hours of being notified by me or I will select a new winner.

Mandatory Entry: Tell me what your favorite circus act is.

Bonus Entries (leave a comment for each entry - if you put it all in one comment, I'll count it as one entry):

1) Earn one additional entry for following me on Twitter, then tweeting this contest with the following tweet: "Ringling is coming back to #Chicago, and it's time for a ticket #giveaway from @honestandtruly. Win a 4 pack http://bit.ly/qpWQab" (leave a link to your tweet as your comment and make sure you do all the steps!)
2) Earn one additional entry by following this review blog publicly via Google Friend Connect.
3) Earn one additional entry by following my “regular” blog Honest & Truly! publicly via Google Friend Connect.

And no, you won't earn any extra entries for it, but you will get good karma for liking me on Facebook!

Good luck!

In the interest of full disclosure, I received tickets for my family to attend the circus. I was not compensated for this campaign. That said as always, all opinions expressed remain my own.

Review: Ringling Bros Circus

Last night, the wee ones and I headed to the circus for the opening night at the United Center. Knowing it was going to be a late night, we brought along their pajamas to change into during intermission. Good thing we did - as much as the wee ones enjoyed the circus, they somehow managed to relax again enough to fall asleep in the car.

This year's show is FUNundrum, celebrating the 200th birthday of P.T. Barnum, the founder of the Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey Circus. As such, they integrated a number of acts that were traditionally in circuses in a humorous way, such as the bearded lady, the strong man, the wild man from Borneo, and more.

It seemed like it was a very quick show, but we were there for more than two hours - not counting the hour preaccess show where we were able to watch an elephant make a painting, try on some outfits from the circus, see previews of some of the upcoming acts, and - of course - get our clown noses.

Once the show began, everyone was enthralled. Of course, the initial items of fascination were the cotton candy and the shaved ice my dad purchased the wee ones. Thank goodness I kept Mister Man in short sleeves, as I couldn't believe how sticky he got!

The show itself seemed to have a bit of an Asian influence with lots of acrobatics and contortionist acts and the like. That isn't to say that there wasn't the requisite tiger and elephant acts, along with a dog and pony show (that included an elephant and llamas and a donkey) with the cutest little girl assisting what I assume was her mom.

The show was set up with three rings for much of it, making it hard to focus on just one place - you frequently felt like you were missing something, but whatever was right in front of you was so compelling that you couldn't look away. The main acts such as the trapeze and high wire were the only acts going on at the time, fortunately. It would have been hard to look away from the Globe of Steel and the seven motorcycles racing inside!

The one distraction I had - and my mom commented on it, as well - was the video screens that were new this year. There were various screens around the arena between the seats and the show. They would raise and lower based on whether the act was in the air or on the ground. While they were always relevant and sort of cool, they were distracting from some of the acts themselves.

That aside, everyone loved the show - and the finale, which was the cutest little baby elephant (not yet two years old!) who came out at the end with her mom. Adorable!

There are still several shows running at the United Center:
Thu November 18 7:00PM
Fri November 19 10:30AM, 7:00PM
Sat November 20 11:30AM, 3:30PM, 7:30PM
Sun November 21 1:00PM, 5:00PM
Tue November 23 7:00PM
Wed November 24 7:00PM
Fri November 26 11:30AM, 3:30PM, 7:30PM
Sat November 27 11:30AM, 3:30PM, 7:30PM
Sun November 28 1:00PM, 5:00PM

Don't miss it! You can still get your tickets at a discount. Simply use the code MOM to purchase a family 4 pack of tickets for $44 Monday-Thursday and Friday matinees or (and?) to save $4 off all weekend shows. Enter the code in the "MC Promotions Box" on Ticketmaster or provide the code when purchasing your tickets via phone (1-800-745-3000) or at the box office. The offer is not valid on Circus Celebrity, Front Row or VIP seats. No double discounts. Service charges and handling fees may apply.

In the interest of full disclosure, I was provided with tickets to the circus. I did not receive any compensation, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Winners!

I have two giveaway winners to announce:

Congratulations first go to Eve from Love Clothes, Makeup And Contests who won the Wendy's gift card giveaway. Enjoy that Wendy's Pick 2 menu!

AND...

Congratulations goes to Tiaras & Tantrums for winning the family four pack of tickets to the Ringling Bros circus opening night downtown on November 17! She has 24 hours to respond before I choose a new winner.

For those of you who didn't win, you can still head to the circus. It is in Rosemont now (and from friends who saw it yesterday on the off day from school, it was a great show!) until the 14th before moving to the United Center on November 17. My friends all used the discount code MOM to purchase cheaper tickets, and you can, too!

By using the code MOM, you can get 4 tickets for $44 for weekday performances (except Friday night and holidays) and $4 off tickets the rest of the weekend. Simply put MOM into the “MC Promotions Ticket” selection on Ticketmaster's website, or use when purchasing at the UC or Allstate box office or when calling 1-800-745-3000. This discount is not valid on Cicrus Celebrity, Front Row or VIP tickets. No double discounts. Service charges and handling fees may apply.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received tickets to see the show. I did not receive any compensation, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Giveaway: Ringling Brothers Tickets (Chicago)

I love the circus. I remember seeing it as a little girl in Madison Square Garden once and being utterly fascinated. I remember sitting as a four year old completely enthralled and not moving a muscle the entire performance. My popcorn sat untouched.

There was a period in my life where I didn't see the circus for years and years. When I began dating someone who had a company outing at the circus, I had the fun of going again, and even as two single people with no kids to show us the joy of the circus through their eyes, we both enjoyed it - and went back again the next year.

The wee ones went to the circus for the first time last year, and I'm happy to say that they enjoyed it, as well. They booed the villain and cheered for the hero, amazed by all the acts in between. The circus was the talk of our house for weeks afterward, and it was hilarious to see the wee ones trying to act out what they saw in the circus - they learned the hard way that my parents' dog isn't ready for the cirus.

They are going again this year, and the circus promises to be even bigger and better as it celebrates P.T. Barnum's 200th birthday with the show FUNundrum. From the flying trapeze to the strong man to the elephants and more, I can't wait to see the wee ones expressions. It's going to be a surprise for them.

Can you believe there are 100,000 pounds of performing pachyderms, cowboys, pirates, and mermaids? I'm still trying to figure out how they're managing to get all those performers into the show given that it's only a couple hours long. I have a feeling I'll miss a few things, but that's ok. I'm pretty sure I'll be sitting still in my chair, absolutely enthralled yet again.

I'm still trying to decide whether to let the wee ones color this sheet before the show or if they'll figure out the surprise if I do. I can at least share it with you, right?

Don't you have someone you'd want to surprise, too? The show is both at the Allstate Arena and the United Center again this year, and shows start at the Allstate Arena next Thursday November 4, while the circus begins at the UC on Wednesday November 17.

By using the code MOM, you can get 4 tickets for $44 for weekday performances (except Friday night and holidays) and $4 off tickets the rest of the weekend. Simply put MOM into the “MC Promotions Ticket” selection on Ticketmaster's website, or use when purchasing at the UC or Allstate box office or when calling 1-800-745-3000. This discount is not valid on Cicrus Celebrity, Front Row or VIP tickets. No double discounts. Service charges and handling fees may apply.

How sweet is that? What, you want more? Ok... I am also giving away a family four pack of tickets to the opening night performance at the United Center on Wednesday November 17 at 7pm. Please be sure you can attend the show prior to entering.

So what do you have to do?

First of all, let me stress that you must follow all the rules. If you do not follow the rules, your entry will not count!

This contest is open until Thursday November 4 at 7pm CST. I must have a valid way to reach you, so leave me your email address in your comment or be sure your profile has your email address visible. No duplicate comments will count. This giveaway is open to US residents age 18 and older. Winners will be selected via random.org and must respond within 24 hours of being notified by me or I will select a new winner.

Mandatory Entry: What is your favorite circus act?

Bonus Entries (leave a comment for each entry - if you put it all in one comment, I'll count it as one entry):

1) Earn one additional entry for following me on Twitter and tweeting this contest (leave a link to your tweet as your comment).
2) Earn one additional entry by following this review blog publicly via Google Friend Connect.
3) Earn one additional entry by following my “regular” blog Honest & Truly! publicly via Google Friend Connect.

Good luck!

In the interest of full disclosure, I received tickets to see the show. I did not receive any compensation, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey Circus Discount Offer

Not only is Feld Entertainment bringing Mickey Live! to Chicago in the coming weeks, but the circus is coming to town, too. We love the circus. The wee ones saw it for the first time last year, and they talked about Mr. Gravity and the trained dogs and the tigers and more for weeks afterwards.

Once again, the Blackhawks are headed out on a long road trip while the circus takes over the UC after its performances at the Allstate Arena (I still cringe typing that - in my head it is and forever will be the Horizon). Shows are Thursday November 4 to Sunday November 14 at the Allstate and Wednesday November 17 to Sunday November 28 at the United Center.

At the Allstate Arena:
Thu Nov 4 7:00PM
Fri Nov 5 10:30AM, 7:00PM
Sat Nov 6 11:30AM, 3:30PM, 7:30PM
Sun Nov 7 1:00PM, 5:00PM
Wed Nov 10 7:00PM
Thu Nov 11 7:00PM
Fri Nov 12 7:00PM
Sat Nov 13 11:30AM, 3:30PM, 7:30PM
Sun Nov 14 1:00PM, 5:00PM

At the United Center:
Wed November 17 7:00PM
Thu November 18 10:30AM, 7:00PM
Fri November 19 10:30AM, 7:00PM
Sat November 20 11:30AM, 3:30PM, 7:30PM
Sun November 21 1:00PM, 5:00PM
Tue November 23 7:00PM
Wed November 24 7:00PM
Fri November 26 11:30AM, 3:30PM, 7:30PM
Sat November 27 11:30AM, 3:30PM, 7:30PM
Sun November 28 1:00PM, 5:00PM

This year's show is called FUNundrum that celebrates the 200th birthday of P.T. Barnum who started it all. It features 130 performers from six continents, almost 100,000 pounds of performing pachyderms, cowboys, pirates, and mermaids. I have a feeling the mermaids will be the wee ones' favorite part.

The show begs to answer the question , “What special wonders create The Greatest Show On Earth?” Whether in your mind it's the quadruple somersault on the trapeze, Chinese acrobats, the strong man, the high wire act, motorcycles performing in a sphere, or animal acts galore, they're all a part of the Ringly Bros circus this year.

Are you excited to go see the show now? You can at a discount. Simply use the code MOM to purchase a family 4 pack of tickets for $44 Monday-Thursday and Friday matinees or (and?) to save $4 off all weekend shows. Enter the code in the "MC Promotions Box" on Ticketmaster or provide the code when purchasing your tickets via phone (1-800-745-3000) or at the box office. The offer is not valid on Circus Celebrity, Front Row or VIP seats. No double discounts. Service charges and handling fees may apply.

So what are you waiting for?

In the interest of full disclosure, I was provided with tickets to the circus. I did not receive any compensation, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Oops - And Ringling Brothers Offer

I realized today that I somehow neglected to post the winner for the Connect 4X4 game. I suppose I should have a good excuse, but work and PTO stuff blowing up combined with a lack of sleep just doesn't quite seem to cut it. I promise, this is VERY unlike me, so without further ado, below is the winner (and I promise to be more prompt in announcing this going forward!).

The lucky number from random.org was 29.

That makes independentmami the winner!

Congrats to her!

***

And on another note, Ringling Brothers Circus is coming to town. The new show is called Zing, Zang, Zoom, and I can't wait to go see it. It's coming to Chicago specifically (Nov 5 to 29) but is also touring the country stopping everywhere from Wilkes-Barre to Toledo to Detroit and more.

This show includes magic in addition to the standard circus fare with elephants and clowns and tigers. The wee ones have never been to the circus, and I haven't been in years. I can't wait.

And best of all, I have a special deal for you!

Purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44 (Valid Monday-Thursday and Friday Matinees, excluding holidays) and save $4 on all weekend shows by logging onto http://www.ticketmaster.com/ and entering the coupon code: MOM.*

Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL
November 5 – 15, 2009
Thurs. Nov. 5 – 7:00PM
Fri. Nov. 6 – 10:30AM & 7:00PM
Sat. Nov. 7 – 11:30AM, 3:30PM & 7:30PM
Sun. Nov. 8 – 1:00PM & 5:00PM
Wed. Nov. 11 – 7:00PM
Thurs. Nov. 12 – 7:00PM
Fri. Nov. 13 – 7:00PM
Sat. Nov. 14 – 11:30AM, 3:30PM & 7:30PM
Sun. Nov. 15 – 1:00PM & 5:00PM

United Center in Chicago, IL
November 17 – 29, 2009
Tues. Nov 17 – Community Night
Wed. Nov. 18 – 7:00PM
Thurs. Nov. 19 – 10:30AM & 7:00PM
Fri. Nov. 20 – 10:30AM & 7:00PM
Sat. Nov. 21 – 11:30AM, 3:30PM & 7:30PM
Sun. Nov. 22 – 1:00PM & 5:00PM
Tues. Nov. 24 – 7:00PM
Wed. Nov. 25 – 7:00PM
Thurs. Nov. 26 – Thanksgiving
Fri. Nov. 27 – 11:30AM, 3:30PM & 7:30PM
Sat. Nov. 28 – 11:30AM, 3:30PM & 7:30PM
Sun. Nov. 29 – 1:00PM & 5:00PM

*Use promotional code MOM when purchasing tickets at Arena Box Offices, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Enter Code in the “MC Promotions Box” on Ticketmaster. Minimum purchase of 4 tickets required. Not valid on Circus Celebrity, Front Row or VIP seats. No double discounts. Service charges and handling fees may apply. For this promotion to work, don't select the "best available" seats in the section. Instead, choose Lower Level or Upper Level depending on your preference. Or choose the $11 ticket price with the promo code MOM. (Yes, I've walked a few friends through this one already!)

I can't wait to show you my pictures from the event.

* I have received no payment for this discount information. However, my family has received tickets to the opening night of the circus.