The Culpepper and Merriweather Circus left Baldwin City just as quickly as it came.
A show full of clowns, animals and fun entertained adults and children alike during the back-to-back two hour performances Thursday night only.
“Compared to other circuses, this is really personal,” said April Dykes, the face painter for Culpepper and Merriweather. “I think that’s why people come here and like it so much, because they get to interact with the people that actually do the circus.”
For Dykes, the circus is a family affair.
“My whole family works with Culpepper and Merriweather,” Dykes said. “My sister is the trapeze artist and her husband does the cat act and owns the circus. The whole unicycle show we have is all my family too.”
Dykes has been traveling with Culpepper and Merriweather for nine years. They visit 17 states every year during a 32-week season that runs from March to October.
“We work every day, seven days a week, doing two shows a day in a different town,” Dykes said. “We usually go to small towns because not a lot of entertainment comes to small towns.”
Part of the proceeds from every performance goes to a local sponsor, Dykes said. In this case, the sponsor was the Baldwin City Elementary school’s Community Service Organization (CSO).
Michelle Patterson, president of the CSO, said the Baldwin City Chamber contacted them about sponsoring the circus in return for a percentage of the proceeds.
“It’s been really fun,” Patterson said. “My kids both saw the show and really liked it.”
Patterson and other CSO members volunteered at the circus by selling tickets and stamping hands at the entrance.
The show starts out with three lions showing off their obedience inside the circus ring and is moved along by D.J. the clown.
Alan Grant, Baker University professor of economics, attended the show with his wife and 5-year-old son.
“This was my boy’s first circus and he loves it,” Grant said. “His favorite part is the clown.”
The Culpepper and Merriweather performers also showed off their skills in unicycling, juggling, hula-hooping, horse and dog training and much more.
“I have to say I really liked the juggler,” Grant said. “I think this is just the perfect fit for a family event. It’s very intimate and you just don’t’ see things quite like this anymore.”
