Circus parade is today in Salt Lake

Elephants and other circus performers will parade through downtown Salt Lake City at noon today to open the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

The parade begins at 100 South and 400 West, travels to Rio Grande, from Rio Grande to 50 North, back to 400 West, over to South Temple to 300 West and back to 100 South.

The first 300 people to bring "Happy Birthday Bello" signs, celebrating the birthday of the circus' "comedic daredevil," to the Ringling tent on the south corner of the Energy Solutions plaza from 11 to 11:30 a.m. will receive free "Bello hair."

Circus performances continue through Sunday in the EnergySolutions Arena. Showtimes are Wednesday and Thursday, 7 p.m.; Friday, 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 to $80.

Members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals plan to protest Wednesday night at the circus, holding signs calling on the circus to free two elephants that perform with the circus. PETA claims it has video of the elephants being hit, shackled and poked with metal. The organization also said the elephants are dangerous because of the way they allegedly have been treated. The protesters will be at the corner of 300 West and North Temple.