From Don Covington

tentraising600w, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. THE CONEY ISLAND BOOM A RING TENT RISES ON JUNE 5 The New Summertime Home of The Greatest Show On Earth® in New York. Brooklyn, NY — Feld Entertainment, parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, announced today that the landmark tent raising for The Coney Island BOOM A RING will take place (weather allowing) on Friday, June 5, at 10 a.m. at the corner of 21st Street and Surf Avenue. “This is a huge day in the history of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey,” said Stephen C. Yaros, Feld Entertainment’s VP of Event Marketing and Sales, Northeast Region. “The arrival of The Coney Island BOOM A RING marks the first time ever that The Greatest Show On Earth® will be performing in Brooklyn — the first time this show will be in New York City — and the first time it will be performing under the big top. This is definitely an historic occasion!” Traveling nearly 3,500 miles from Mobile Stadiums, Ltd. in Sheffield, England, to Coney Island, the state-of-the-art air-conditioned main tent is approximately 28,842 sq. ft. and will seat 2,400 patrons for each performance. The foyer tent, which will house the food court, is approximately 8,625 sq. ft. Both will be the most visible cornerstones of Feld Entertainment’s major site renovation. Throughout the process, Feld has worked closely with lot owner Taconic Investment Partners, whose cooperation has been instrumental in bringing The Greatest Show On Earth to Coney Island. Performances inside the big top will begin June 17 with a private preview show: Feld Entertainment is working with the Coney Island Development Corporation to get free tickets to children and families in Coney Island who have so graciously welcomed us to their neighborhood. All these efforts will culminate in the historic opening night performance that will take place June 18 and include a special Salute To Coney Island.