Culpepper & Merriweather Circus Fills Tent Up With Spectators At Shows

The concession trailer at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.

The concession trailer at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.

The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus came to Alton, Missouri, on April 3, 2023, at Piney Creek Park. Although they were here only a day, there was a big turnout for the performances. Earlier in the day, one could go to the tent raising.

Cats

The circus has two tigers and a cat. Due to Wendell the lion coughing up hairballs, he did not make an appearance, but Delilah the tiger did appear to do some tricks.

Trey encourages Delilah, the tiger, as she slowly rolls over at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.
Trey encourages Delilah, the tiger, as she slowly rolls over at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.

Aerial Artists

There were two aerial artists: one was a trapeze artist and one was an acrobat who was only held up by her hair.

A performer juggles poles of fire on her feet at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.
A performer juggles poles of fire on her feet at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.

Trapeze

The trapeze artist came on about halfway through the show. She did some high-flying and daredevil tricks, almost touching the big top.

The trapeze artist entertains the crowd with her high-flying tricks at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.
The trapeze artist entertains the crowd with her high-flying tricks at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.

Hair Artist

Early on in the performance, one of the acrobats did a lot of spinning, twirling, and flying while only being held up by her hair.

An acrobat spins around while suspended, being held only by her hair, at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.
An acrobat spins around while suspended, being held only by her hair, at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.

Clown

A favorite of the whole crowd was Leo the Clown. Before the show began, he entertained the crowd with balancing tricks. He often came out between performances and also helped announce. During Leo’s performance, he came into the circle in a tiny car and did some balancing tricks.

Leo the Clown shows a fan how to do clownfu at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.
Leo the Clown shows a fan how to do clownfu at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.

Tight Rope

Near the middle of the show, a Brandon Romario Perez, a tight rope walker, came on. He walked across the tight rope several times, including one where he was blindfolded. He also rode a bike on the tight rope and stood on a chair while it was on the tight rope.

Brandon Romario Perez stands on a chair while he is on a tight rope at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.
Brandon Romario Perez stands on a chair while he is on a tight rope at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.

Horse Riding

The other animal act of the show included draft horses. The Lucana Loyal Repensky Riders, 10th generation circus artistry, entertained the crowd with their several tricks, both solo and duo, on the horses while the horses were trotting around the circle.

Spinning Wheels

As the last act of the performance, a brother (Brandon Ramario Perez) and sister duo came out to perform on the spinning wheels. While doing just the ordinary spinning, Ramario Perez climbed out of the wheel and did several tricks. Some of the tricks included going around the wheel while it was spinning while blindfolded; jumping on the wheel when it was near the top of the tent, getting some air time; and jump roping on the spinning wheels.

Brandon Romario Perez smiles after he successfully walks around the spinning wheels while blindfolded at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.
Brandon Romario Perez smiles after he successfully walks around the spinning wheels while blindfolded at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.

Concessions

Before the performance or during the intermission, the attendees had a variety of concessions to choose from including snow cones, cotton candy, popcorn, peanuts, soda, water, and others.

A line waiting to enter the big top before the show begins at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.
A line waiting to enter the big top before the show begins at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.

Activities and People

While the show wasn’t going on, the kids could go down the slide, go on the bouncy house, get their face painted, or go on the pony rides. At the 5:00 pm show, over 300 people showed up to enjoy the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus.

Leo the Clown exits his car at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.
Leo the Clown exits his car at the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on April 3, 2023.

A big thanks go to the Alton Volunteer Fire Department for sponsoring the circus, and a big thanks to the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus for giving us a good show!

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