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Circus wows and amazes area residents
By Jeff Snyder
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — With the smell of peanuts and popcorn filling the warm August air, as area residents were invited to step right up to to watch the traveling circus corps of Culpepper & Merriweather last Sunday.
These traveling performers put on two afternoon shows for area residents. The Culpepper and Merriweather circus, which has been entertaining people for over four decades, travels to more than 200 cities covering 17 states during the circus season and is one of the few remaining traveling tent circuses in the United States, so Mount Ayr was fortunate to rate a stop on their schedule. Each performance last 90 minutes in duration and crams a ton of entertainment into the allotted time. Spectators saw everything from high flying trapeze acts to lion taming which were a part of the feast for the senses in the one ring experience. There were concession stands, pony rides and bounce houses set up outside the traditional “Big Top” tent to add to the festive experience.
Without doubt, the star of the show was Wendell, the adult male lion that performed with his handler Tray Key. Wendell performed big cat tricks (although not necessarily in the correct order) to the delight of the children and adults alike as Key put him through his paces. Anyone who has owned a cat, even a big one like Wendell, understands the free will of the species. The circus wanted the audience to be aware that all the animals performing at the circus are very well cared for. Most are rescue animals, including Wendell. All animals are seen by a veterinarian once a month to ensure their good health. None of the animals were taken from the wild as they were all bred outside of their natural surroundings.
Traveling circuses remain remarkably resilient in the modern world despite their dwindling numbers over the years. The C&M circus retains that old world style made famous at the turn of the 20th century. Traditional circuses including the famous and one of the oldest, the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus which started in 1871 ran through 2017 before taking a hiatus for nearly six years. The circus determined that declining attendance and political pressure from animal activists was the primary reason for its withdraw from public appearance. The Greatest Show reinvented itself as a “Non Animal” circus recently and now focuses on human acts only. They still tour, but no longer perform under a traditional tent. Performances are now held in large arena venues.
Circus performances such as the Culpepper & Merriweather shows allow attendees a glimpse into an old time circus experience. The damp grass floors and modeled light that works its way through the colorful canvas big top along with the smells and sounds that go along with the experience are well worth the cost of admission. Rather than an act, it takes on the label “Experience” that lasts far longer than a sterilized show performed in a basketball arena. For those who may not have been able to attend this circus, to get a feel one for what they missed can view the Oscar winning movie “The Greatest Showman” staring Hugh Jackman of Marvel’s Wolverine fame that features the actor showcasing singing and dancing talent that some never knew he had.
Hurry hurry, step right up, you won’t be disappointed. Information regarding the C&M circus and its performance schedule can be found on the shows web site.
Olivia West contributed to this story.
