When the Circus Comes to Town
As the first glimmers of twilight appeared over the New Meadows Dorsey Warr Memorial Park, vehicles could already be seen on the grass. By 9:30 a.m. the park was covered with set up equipment and gear. Within the next hour the tent was raised transforming the greenspace into a performance area for three shows of the Culpepper & Merriweather Great Combined Circus.
When the McCall Senior & Rehab Center called the City of New Meadows asking if the circus could use the city park for their performances, it was a quick yes. The senior center had looked into hosting the event in McCall as a fundraising opportunity but the space was not large enough. The senior center and the city split a cut from ticket sales, bringing the city just under $2,700. City staff helped with organizing parking, adding extra bus transportation, community communication and advertising.
Originally planning for two performances, C&M Circus added an additional show at 3:00 p.m. due to popular demand. It was a full house into the evening under the big top and in town.
Started in 1985 with small shows put on by founders Robert Johnson, Jim Hebert and Curtis Cainan, the circus grew year after year becoming what it is today. During a morning community tour led by Leo Acton, who also performs as the circus’ clown, the benefits of a “combined circus” were explained. Leo said that unlike a three or multi ring circus, this show is able to highlight each act in one performance so everyone attending can see every act.
During the morning tour, community members were also able to get up close, but not too close, to the show’s two lions. Wendell and Nelson, named after a beloved veterinarian, are the only two performing lions in all of North America. At 5.5 years and 18 months respectively, these two perform in live training sessions with the show’s co-owner Trey Key. As their trainer, Key discovered recently that young Nelson liked painting. The lion now has an art hobby that brings in extra funds for the big cat’s entertainment and food budget.
Tour attendees also got to see the circus appear as the crew raised the tent by pulling ropes and pushing heavy poles. Leo shared about the trucks, the crew and the history of the circus. With the tent, the show can host 600 guests and keep performances going under most weather conditions.
Pre show, guests enjoyed pony rides and a giant slide as well as traditional circus treats. During the show, the crew sold bags of peanuts, some of which had a special ticket inside which winners could redeem for a prize.
Each performance of the show was mesmerizing. From trapeze artist and fire eater Simone Key, who is also the show’s ringmaster, to the father-son duo jugglers and “wheel of destiny” performers, the show was non-stop entertainment. Kids of all ages delighted in the magic of a true circus experience. Old and young alike shared cheers and smiles as the everyday stress and bustle fell away to the awe and hilarity of a real clown car, a high wire walk and bicycle ride and high jumping pups.
