Though it’s a shame to see the death of an American icon, I hope this leaves more room for smaller circus acts to pop up. It is my understanding that circus culture - carneys, families traveling together, etc. - is still at least partially alive.
Many traveling carnivals still do fairly well. I have an old friend who travels with a carnival. He’s been doing it for about 10 years I guess.
I’m sad that the Big Show is over. There’s really nothing in modern life that replaces it, either.