“What kid doesn’t dream of running away to join the circus?” Ringmaster David Shipman asks.

When Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey brings The Greatest Show On Earth to the Palm Beach County Convention Center Tuesday, it will be the fulfillment of a dream for 25-year-old Shipman of Pensacola.

“I’ve come full circle,” Shipman said by phone before rehearsals for the new show. “I fell in love with the circus when I saw my first show as a kid.”

Now he’s the newest ringmaster for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Holiday Circus Spectacular.

“On top of getting the audience charged up for the show, I introduce my family of performers. They are so talented I hope I can do them justice.”

For Shipman, the best part of his new job is that “I get to see them perform every night, and I love to see the faces of the kids who are bouncing up and down in their seats in anticipation.” Shipman knows just how they feel.

The show is vintage circus with clowns and animals, high-wire acrobats and jugglers, edge-of-your-seat drama alongside rib-splitting comedy.

The elephants have always had a special place in the hearts of circus fans, and exotic animal trainers Brett and Cathy Carden bring three Asian elephants to the ring. Both are from multi-generational circus families and have been working with the patient pachyderms since they were kids.

One of the three elephants they perform with is Duchess, who Brett trained when he was still a teenager. Duchess and Brett have been together for more than 18 years. Their “mixed hoof” routine features two camels, two Arabian horses, two Shetland ponies and a miniature horse. Their dog presentation features terriers, poodles and mixed breeds.

Dean Kelly, a clown and host of the pre-show party, caught the circus bug when Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performed in his hometown of Kansas City, when he was just 4. He studied theater in community college and began working as an actor and a clown. When Ringling held its first open audition in 30 years in 2002, Dean auditioned and was hired on the spot. He has so many skills, his peers call him the Swiss Army Knife of clowns.

The father-and-son comedy duo, Anton & Viktor Franke, bring goofy gags and skits to the show. Both seasoned performers and comedians, the two joined forces for this act. Thrilled to be working together, their unique chemistry shines.

Also on the bill: The Lopez Troupe high-wire act; The Smaha Troupe of extreme jugglers and the Vavilov Troupe of acrobats.

Arrive an hour early to meet the performers, try on costumes and see the animals up close, at the free pre-party.