Huh? Elephants??
That’s right. Nature’s trunked-up creatures initially caused a conflict with plans to hold the memorial at the Staples Center today. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus opens at the venue tomorrow and the traditional parade, featuring the famous elephant walk, was originally scheduled to occur about the same time as fans, friends and family file into the arena and Nokia Theatre this morning. Now that’s a scheduling conflict you don’t see every day.
The solution? Move the parade up a few hours.
The parade and elephant walk began just before dawn today. Eighteen thousand mourners are expected at Staples and Nokia, and police expect 250,000 people to gather on the sidewalks of the L.A. Live entertainment complex.
Even though the circus parade began in the predawn hours, that doesn’t mean there might be a chance of overlap. Not to worry – a circus representative said the beasts are comfortable with crowds.