THE BALLOON MAN

Circus coming to Somers for first time in 73 years

 

from:  dailyinterlake.com
MELISSA WALTHER/Daily Inter Lake
June 18, 2013
Kalispel,MT--It’s been a long time since the circus has come to town in Somers — 73 years to be exact.
That’s why it will be a special day for the lakeside community when the Culpepper and Merriweather Great Combined Circus rolls into town on Tuesday, June 25. Billed as “America’s favorite big top circus,” the Culpepper and Merriweather entourage has been traveling the country for 29 years, bringing a touch of old-fashioned America to towns across the nation.
The Somers stop on Culpepper and Merriweather’s tour came about purely by chance.
“Dennis Hatton from the Somers Bay Café said he had been contacted by the circus and they were looking for a stop midway between their last performance in Troy and their next one in Browning,” said Tom Sliter with the Somers Company Town Project. “Their front man had stopped in Somers and had breakfast at the Café, spotted the vacant field in town and proposed that they perform here. We voted on it, and decided to try it.”
Some of the proceeds from the ticket sales will benefit the Somers Company Town Project, which is dedicated to preserving the history of Somers.
“The opportunity presented itself, and we jumped on it,” Sliter said. “We just got our 501(c)3 status from the federal government, and we’ve had success with fundraisers in the past, so we’re hoping this will be a big success.”
Featured on National Geographic’s Explorer TV series, Entertainment Tonight, Nickelodeon and more, the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus packs a lot of entertainment into one ring.
This year’s lineup includes an all-star group of performers and entertainers that include Miss Simone and her amazing single trapeze, Miss Paulina’s proud prancing ponies, The Arlise Troupe on its wild and crazy unicycles, Natilie’s American Eskimo Escapades, the Ayala’s unforgettable foot-juggling, a ridiculous Rola Bola and a hair-raising Hair Hang, according to circus representatives.
No circus would be complete without clowns and animals, and Culpepper and Merriweather features pony rides, camels and jungle cat performances “sure to have you on the edge of your seats.”
In addition, the show features original music, a moon-bounce, concessions and more.
Two performances are scheduled at 5 and 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, just north of the Somers Post Office. Each show is approximately 90 minutes.
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