CULPEPPER & MERRIWEATHER CIRCUS

Craig Lions Club to bring circus to town
 

from:  craigdailypress.com
By Andy Bockelman
July 11, 2013
There’s nothing like the sight of exotic animals, the thrill of people flying through the air and the overall enjoyment of a show that will delight the kid in all of us. Craig residents will have the opportunity to experience all that and more when the big top sets up at the Moffat County Fairgrounds this weekend.
Sponsored by the Craig Lions Club, the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus will give two performances at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday. The Oklahoma-based show, which last came to town three years ago, offers all the features one could hope for from a traveling extravaganza, including acrobats, clowns and a large menagerie just to name a few.
Appropriately enough for a show backed by the Lions Club, one of Culpepper & Merriweather’s greatest draws is their big cats.
Lions Club President Kristi Shepherd said the last time she saw the show, her experiences with C&M’s lions and tigers left her literally wanting to run away and join the circus.
Lions Club President Kristi Shepherd said the last time she saw the show, her experiences with C&M’s lions and tigers left her literally wanting to run away and join the circus.
“I actually got to get up close and personal with them and feed them when they were in Hayden after they came to Craig,” she said. “I got to touch them and feel their paws, I just had so much fun. I’m really glad to be having them back again.”
For those looking for the full circus experience, the show’s personnel will be putting up the tent Sunday morning, on hand to answer questions about the process of circus life.
“They talk about the care of the animals and everything that goes with that,” Shepherd said.
Shepherd added that last year’s controversy involving the elephants of the Carson & Barnes show is not a concern here. The Culpepper & Merriweather circus program is known for taking top care of its animals, which also includes dogs, birds, horses, camels and more.
“They’re put in a great sanctuary when they’re not on the road, and they just get to be regular animals,” she said.
Shepherd said another element of C&M is that it’s a family enterprise offering something for all ages, as well as being an important fundraiser for the efforts of the Lions Club to provide eye care and glasses to children and seniors in the area.
“I really hope people come out and enjoy the circus as much as I have,” she said.