BIG APPLE CIRCUS OPENS TODAY!

Big Apple Circus presents Legendarium: A Journey into Circus Past

 

from:  westerlysun.com
Fri Jun 21, 2013.
Welcome to the Big Apple Circus Legendarium, where you will experience the nostalgic thrills of bygone big tops and get a first-hand view of beauties, daredevils, and clowns from another era. At our all-new 35th anniversary season production, no seat is more than 50 feet from the globe's most spectacular circus performers. The Big Apple Circus presents Legendarium in its annual engagement at Ninigret Park in Charlestown, from Saturday, June 22 through Sunday, July 7.
Travel back to when circus traditions were born and witness incredible acts that would have had the villagers chattering for days. The courageous mid-air flips and catches of a man on the trapeze, a captivating contortionist whose flexibility is as impressive as her steadfast poise, an agile, adept acrobat and her strapping suitors and a swaying wire act of sure-footed strength and stability. The dizzying delights of a daring inventor in his tumbling, twirling hoop. The stunning, soaring beauty of a pair on aerial straps and a woman held aloft by hanging silks. A jaw-dropping juggling tango team performing to passionate rhythms. Bicyclists whom spinning wheels turn smooth and speedy stunts. Majestic horses with graceful gaits and playful pups with teasing tricks.
read more:
http://www.thewesterlysun.com/entertainment/big-

Got poop? Shrine Circus offers free exotic manure

from: KTVB.com (Boise, Idaho)

by Matt Standal & Andrea Lutz

June 21, 2013

CARNIVAL SPOTLIGHT--#1

Since 1984, Bartlebaugh Amusements, Inc. has been providing entertaiment and fun for every individual while maintaining the most important factor; safety. http://www.bartlebaughamusements.com/

Allen and Jerry Bartlebaugh running their family business strong and well maintained.

Since 1984, Bartlebaugh Amusements, Inc. has been the true meaning of fun. Based in State College, PA, Bartlebaugh Amusements travels the Northeastern United States bringing its high quality show to help numerous non-profit organizations raise funds.  With two units and almost 50 rides, games and concessions, Bartlebaugh Amusements takes pride in their immaculate condition and impeccable safety record.

 

 

 

CARNIVAL SPOTLIGHT--#2

Most of these fotos were taken at the DuBois Spring Fling 2013
April 24th thru May 4 2013

 

 

 

 

 

Here stands The Bartlebaugh Boys in front of the high striker that started the company and now 30 years later the family business is growing.

~~~BACK IN THE DAY~~~
 

Ya gotta see this! Monkey goes bananas over speeding ticket

from: KTVB.com

June 21, 2013

BACK IN THE DAY

~~BACK IN THE DAY~~
from: retronaut.com


c. 1950s : Elvis lipstick

c1860:
Photograph of everyone in town, Bloomington, Indiana

 

CIRCUS OZ

Circus Oz 2013
Cranked Up
Reviewed by: Joanna Bowen on Thursday 20 June 2013
from:  aussietheatre.com.au
by:  Joanna Bowen
22nd June, 2013
On the outside a Circus Oz show is a delightful, clever, cheeky romp. On the inside it breathes a furnace-like soul, pumping warmth all through the Big Top and its full audience. With so much love and so many happy people, Circus Oz couldn’t keep it cold if they tried.

Circus Oz. Pic by Rob Blackburn.
 Cranked Up is a medley of different circus and performance arts, and everyone has a unique and varied artistic hat collection – the acrobats are musicians, the musicians are comedians, and the comedians can dance. Using the categories any more seems pointless – there’s nothing they can’t do and they invent new performance types as they go.

This revamped show introduces new performers with the much-loved ‘old’ crew, and every performer brings a story and a character to share. The hilarious characters are multi-talented creatures, and showcase skills such as roller skating (kind of), trapeze (definitely) and Ultimate See-Saw (not its real name, but you’ll know what I mean when you see it!), not to mention furniture juggling and flying musicianship. Every segment is exciting, surprising and impressive. And somehow they make us laugh even while their stunts induce mild terror.
This revamped show introduces new performers with the much-loved ‘old’ crew, and every performer brings a story and a character to share. The hilarious characters are multi-talented creatures, and showcase skills such as roller skating (kind of), trapeze (definitely) and Ultimate See-Saw (not its real name, but you’ll know what I mean when you see it!), not to mention furniture juggling and flying musicianship. Every segment is exciting, surprising and impressive. And somehow they make us laugh even while their stunts induce mild terror.

Alongside creating fantastic shows, Circus Oz offers programs and training to Indigenous and rural Australians who otherwise wouldn’t have access to circus arts, as well as raising money for free tickets for recent immigrants. They believe in and work towards “A good time for all”, and it’s wondrous to be a part of them achieving this. While the show is on, you’ll be too busy giggling yourself silly to focus on how beautifully they display their philosophies of community building, gender equality and diversity. But their soul is an ever-present undercurrent, and will keep you feeling warm long after you’ve left the Big Top.

OHIO FAIRS

Fun for all
County fairs offer fun, unique entertainment



Twenty-five bull riders competed at the A-BAR Rodeo's BULL MANIA bull riding competition at the 2012 Coshocton County Fair. / Tribune File
from:  coshoctontribune.com
by Kaitlin Durbin /CentralOhio.com
Jun. 21, 2013
It’s fair season in Ohio.
4-H club members are prepping their animals for show and frantically finishing their project books. Vendors are stocking up on all of the gut-busting, deep-fried fair foods (yes, even those deep-fried Twinkies) people love. And fans are trying to figure out a way to snag front-row seats at the big show.
But despite similar threads sewn into each county fair, it is their vendors and particular oddities that make local fairs worth a visit.
With fairs running from June through October — visit ohiofairs.org for a complete list of fair dates — you can visit plenty to see how your local fair stacks up.
Each has its own uniqueness,” Dan Kimmet, president of the Ohio Fair Managers Association, said. “They’re all trying to find a niche.”

 

The Open Truck and Tractor Pull was held at the grandstand during the 2012 Coshocton County Fair. / File photo
The Richland County Fair created its niche by ensuring almost all entertainment is free, ensuring families can afford to attend and celebrate the success of 4-H participants.
Each year, the fair hosts performers geared toward family fun, such as the Zerbini Family Circus and Johnny Peers’ Muttville Comix show. Both shows change every few years to showcase new and exciting acts.
read more:
http://www.coshoctontribune.com/article/20130622/LIFESTYLE/306220003/Fun-all?nclick_check=1

Big hopes for the big top



Big Apple Circus contortionist Elayne Kramer performs Thursday in Lake George at an event to promote the upcoming circus visit, from July 13 to 28.

from: poststar.com

by DON LEHMAN

June 20, 2013

LAKE GEORGE -- The summer tourism season has started slowly in the Lake George region, with rainy weather keeping tourist numbers down.

Tourism officials hope a forecast that calls for better weather — and events like Big Apple Circus — will help resurrect the season, on which hundreds of businesses depend every year for survival.

Big Apple Circus organizers brought performers to Lake George Thursday to tout their return to Charles R. Wood Park next month.

Lake George Mayor Robert Blais said interest in the circus is growing, as it prepares to bring its renowned acts to Lake George for a second year. He said he believes the event will grow into a significant tourist draw and will be part of an increasing number of events that bring more families to the region.

“This is the greatest circus in the world for families,” he said.

read more:

http://poststar.com/news/local/big-hopes-for-the-big-top/article_117715aa-d9ef-11e2-a733-0019bb2963f4.html

Tyne and Wear to face fair battle after plug pulled on the Hoppings

Rival events joust to fill the void left when the plug was pulled on 130-year-old Town Moor Hoppings
 

View of the Hoppings from the top of the Helter Skelter, 2009 by Ernest Storeyfrom: chroniclelive.co.uk
20 Jun 2013
The rivalry between Newcastle and Sunderland on the football pitch is legendary.
Now they are to be foes in the world of fun fairs as rival city events go head to head.
Fairs at Nuns Moor Park in Newcastle and Herrington Country Park near Sunderland both hope to corner the market left when the 130-year-old Hoppings Fair was cancelled.
The historic fair held on the Town Moor in Newcastle was cancelled due to a fall out between co-organisers the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain and the Freemen of Newcastle.
Now fairground families across the North East had to chose where loyalties lie as the fairs run on the same dates between Friday June 21 and Sunday 30 June.
The man behind the new ‘Great Toon Fair’ at Nuns Moor, Jamie Clark, said: “There was a lot of upset among the local community when it was announced that the Hoppings would no longer be taking place this year, which is why we are aiming to make the first 'Great Toon Fair' a fantastic alternative”.
Colin Noble who is running the ‘North East’s Largest Fun Fair’ at Herrington Country Park at Penshaw, said: “Ours is a lot bigger. They haven’t got the theme park rides like the log flume and giant roller coaster that we have. Their’s is just a standard fair. We’re not worried. We just hope there’s still a chance for the Hoppings to come back next year.”
read and see more at:
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/tyne-wear-face-fair-battle-4685913

Hip Hop Meets High Wire at UniverSoul Circus

UniverSoul, the only African-American-owned circus, infuses hip-hop style and a global cast of entertainers into its big-top show.

Produced by AFP, powered by NewsLook

2013 State Fairs Dates: Schedule For All 50 States

by Christine Salek

June 20, 2013

Summer means long days, cool drinks, and the good ol' State Fair. While the state fair is a quintessential part of many Americans' summers, some states do things a little differently: some host two fairs (usually spring and fall), and one even hosts the main state fair in the winter!

Here is your guide to all 50 state fairs (all dates in 2013 unless otherwise specified).

If you have anything you'd like to add about your own state fair, please comment below or let me know on Twitter: @christinesalek.

see the schedule here:

http://www.policymic.com/articles/49919/2013-state-fairs-dates-schedule-for-all-50-states

Circus Ringmaster Refutes Claims of Animal Cruelty in Wyandotte

The Southeastern Michigan Animal Right Team protested a recent performance of Circus Pages at the Yack Arena in Wyandotte.

 

from: wyandotte.patch.com

by Nate Stemen (Editor)

June 20, 2013

Ringmaster James Earhart said claims that his animals were treated inhumanely while his circus visited Wyandotte are false.

Earhart, 38, of Myakka City, FL, owns and operates Circus Pages. The circus performed at Yack Arena Saturday, which prompted protesting from local animal rights groups including the Southeastern Michigan Animal Rights Team (SMART).

Children's Circus Focuses on Fun in War-Torn Afghanistan

Produced by AFP, powere by NewsLook

Circus elephants host brunch to help food bank

from: WAFB.com

Jun 20, 2013

Baton Rouge--

WAFB 9 News Baton Rouge, Louisiana News, Weather, Sports

read more:

http://www.wafb.com/story/22649654/circus-elephants-host-brunch-to-help-food-bank

carol the elephant

Carol the elephant back with circus after Tupelo shooting
 

Carol, a 39-year-old endangered Asian elephant, is shown in a promotional photo with a circus performer. (Courtesy)

by JB Clark/NEMS Daily Journal
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal
June 20, 2013
TUPELO – Carol the elephant has returned to the circus circuit after recovering from a gunshot wound received in Tupelo.
Carol healed from the April 9 shooting by spending time recovering at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus farm in Springfield, Mo.
The 39-year-old Asian elephant was hit in the shoulder with a bullet from a small-caliber shotgun early that morning in an apparent drive-by shooting at the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, police say.
While Carol has not begun performing again, she has been reunited with her circus family and is attending the show in Baton Rouge this week.
“She’s just kind of hanging out, resting and eating and being with her friends and family,” said Melinda Hartline, spokeswoman for the circus. “Everyone is glad to have her back and she looks good.”
Hartline said Carol would begin performing again when the trainers feel she is ready. Until then, she will watch the performances from the sidelines and continue the recovery process.
Tupelo Police Lt. Jerry Davis said the detectives division has followed up on every lead provided about the shooting, but has no new information.
“They come in sporadically but nothing has panned out yet,” Davis said.
Capt. Allan Gilbert of Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi and the Tupelo Police Department said the reward money for anyone with information about the shooting still is available.
The reward, totaling $34,000, includes $10,000 from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, $5,000 from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, $5,000 from PETA, $1,000 from Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi and $250 from former 1st District Congressman Travis Childers.
Tips can be made anonymously at (800) 773-8477.
Read more: Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal - Carol the elephant back with circus after Tupelo shooting

UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS

US circus boasts African-American roots, global cast

 

Artists perform during a show at the UniverSoul Circus at National Harbor, Maryland on June 16, 2013. UniverSoul is the only African-American owned circus founded in Atlanta by concert and theater promoter, Cedric Walker.
from: bangkokpost.com
21 Jun 2013
Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, Makeba Gabriel imagined living a life of Carnival limbo dancing. Running away with the circus never crossed her mind.
"That was my dream, to be a dancer," said the 31-year-old star of the UniverSoul circus who thinks nothing of bending over backwards to crawl under five rows of open flames 10 inches (25 centimeters) off the ground.
"It wasn't to be with a circus. But it just so happens that I've been with the circus for seven years, and it is a pleasure. It's really fun and enjoyable," she said.
UniverSoul is among dozens of circuses that criss-cross the United States every summer, sustaining a form of live entertainment that dates back to the late 18th century.
"If you live anywhere in the United States within 30 or 40 miles of any primary or secondary market, you will find a circus," circus historian Rodney Huey told AFP.
The grandest and most historic is the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, the self-styled "greatest show on Earth," while the Canadian-based Cirque de Soleil enjoys a strong following.
UniverSoul is a smaller one-ring affair, but its heritage makes it unique.
Founded in 1994 by pioneering rap concert producer Cedric Walker, whose hip-hop tours helped to make Run-D.M.C. and Salt-n-Pepa household names, it is the only modern circus with African-American roots.
"It was an opportunity whose time had come," Walker told AFP outside the UniverSoul big top on a breezy plateau overlooking the Potomac River outside Washington, where the circus is performing this month.
"There wasn't a family attraction I saw that reflected the urban lifestyle, the energy, the music" of contemporary African-American culture, he said.
"It was pretty exciting and a lot of people did turn on to the idea of an urban show that was kind of funky, that had the fashion and the style and the cross-culture thing."
UniverSoul has two units on the road hitting about 35 cities this year, with the one at National Harbor employing a cast of 150 entertainers and backstage crew, not to mention a menagerie of elephants, tigers and horses.
While the 2,300-member audience at one recent Sunday show was predominantly African-American, drawn from Washington and its sprawling suburbs, the cast was truly international.
read more:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/world/356269/us-circus-boasts-african-american-roots-global-cast

Russian mime Polunin in uneasy circus challenge

Russian mime Slava Polunin during an interview with AFP at the Big Saint Petersburg Circus office on June 10, 2013 (AFP/File, Olga Maltseva)

from: google.com

By Marina Koreneva (AFP)

June 21, 2013

SAINT-PETERSBURG — World-famous Russian mime Slava Polunin was just a few months into his appointment as head of Russia's oldest circus when an animal rights scandal laid bare his uneasy challenge: to reform the stodgy venue without an ugly uproar.

Now the bushy white-haired Vyacheslav (Slava) Polunin carefully chooses his words when asked whether the Big Saint Petersburg Circus, also known as the Fontanka Circus, will get rid of its many animal numbers and veer toward the more artful western style.

"I want to keep the best there is in the circus. I don't want to destroy anything," said Polunin, who has spent many years in France, Britain, and Canada, where he worked with the Cirque du Soleil before accepting the ground-breaking invitation to head the Fontanka Circus in January.

The Fontanka -- named for the Saint Petersburg street where it is located -- dates back to 1877. It was the first stationary circus in Russia, housed in a magnificent state-of-the-art building in a prime location of the historic imperial city.

It was founded by Italian Gaetano Ciniselli, and his family ran the venue until the Bolshevik revolution. In 1919 the circus was nationalised and Ciniselli's son fled the country.

Today, the sign "Ciniselli Circus" adorns the ornate building, but inside it has lost much of its lustre. The circular audience stalls date from the Soviet times, and their red fabric seats are faded and worn.

Critics have disparaged the circus for its tired Soviet-era tricks and lack of vision. On its 135th anniversary show last year, guests watched as a man in a tailored suit tamed lions, acrobats soared to the tune of a Russian folk song, and poodles marched on hind paws in a single file - all staples of the Soviet past.

read more:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gLjbGaYE5zmC9X5pdPwRtu6HKXwA?docId=CNG.03aaad782f47bc0098d535a7e9e72965.4d1

SAD NEWS---

MURRAY HILL

 

 

I am very sad to say my father Arlan Seidon known to all as Murray Hill past away last night. He was home in Missouri. He died at the age of 84. He was mostly well known for the mighty mights elephant act. What a lot of people didn't know he did a lot of firsts. First to put an elephant ride in malls. To use a chimp as an elephant girl just to name a few. In the mid 50's he had a syndicated tv show on WGN called Chatters World in Chicago. He leaves behind two daughter (Robin & Nada) two sons ( Adam & Allan).We may not have seen eye to eye but we all loved him. May u rest in peace.



Big Apple Circus 2013 (Horse Act)

Jennifer Vidbel

Published on Jun 16, 2013

by--- SunnyPostThis

This is a must see show! It is recommended to watch the whole act live. The show is around 2 hours long. It is truly amazing :)

Backstage of the Russian circus: one trainer and "four tons of kindness"

Published on Jun 6, 2013

RBTHvideo

RBTH got to see a rehearsal at the Yuri Nikulin Circus on Tsvetnoi Boulevard in Moscow and chat with famous Russian trainer Andrei Dementiev-Kornilov about circus life and the connection between Cirque du Soleil and the Soviet circus.

Backstage of the Russian circus: one trainer and “four tons of kindness”

from indus.in

Pavel Gazdyuk, Elena Yarigina, RIR

June 10, 2013

The Yuri Nikulin Circus on Tsvetnoi Boulevard in Moscow is one of the oldest circuses in Russia. More than 60 artists regularly perform on the arena of this circus. Among them, famous Russian elephant trainer Andrei Dementiev-Kornilov.

This handler represents the fourth generation of the renowned Kornilov circus dynasty, whose history stretches back more than a century. He first entered the arena aged 12, when renowned Soviet actor and clown Yuri Nikulin assigned Andrei the role of audience volunteer led down to the arena. Now he continues his father’s work, treating elephants like members of the family.

The performance staged by Andrei Dementiev-Kornilov’s troupe is breathtaking. It involves five Indian elephants. These smart, good-natured, and amusing animals exhibit a wide variety of inimitable tricks.

EL KORAH SHRINE CIRCUS (IDAHO)

The Circus Is In Town

from: kmvt.com

By Joey Martin

Jun 19, 2013

Filer, Idaho ( KMVT–TV / KTWT-TV ) ladies and gentlemen!... Boys and girls of all ages!... The shrine circus is in town!

But, while you may only see the main event, getting the circus ready starts way before the crowds arrive.

And those in the show wouldn’t have their lives any other way.

"It’s a hard life… it’s a crazy life… its fun, it’s exciting, there’s something different every day. We pretty much move everyday or every other day… it’s a 24/7 job… defiantly" said ringmaster, Tess Emerson

The main part of the show that makes a circus truly unique is the ringmaster.

But historically, the ringmaster position has been considered a man's job.

But not for this particular show… Tess Emerson is one of only a handful of female Circus Ringmasters across the county.

"You know, it’s not a common as the male ringmaster by there are a few of us out there. It’s kind of something different for the show I think, because, like you said… most people expect to see a man and… here I am… hahaha" said Emerson

But the night is not all about the show... The shrine circus is all about the cause.

"The shrine circus is a major fundraiser for the Shriners fraternity. We have about 850 Shriners throughout southern Idaho. Essentially we support out hospital, we have the fraternal side as well, we also support 22 Shriners hospitals throughout the country." Said El Korah Shrine Potentate, Ron Lester

A show, and a cause, all rolled into one.

By Alexa Tieu

from: kmvt.com

Jun 19, 2013

Filer, Idaho ( KMVT-TV / KTWT-TV ) The Shrine Circus is where the birthday celebration continued for a 102–year old Twin Falls resident.

"I rode an elephant... and held an alligator. And had my picture taken a few times," says Dorothy Custer, 102-years old.

Last year for her 101st birthday, Custer rode the zip line.

A few weeks ago, she base jumped for the first time off the Perrine Bridge.

Custer hopes to tackle one more thing in the near future... Riding a hot air balloon.

~~~BACK IN THE DAY~~~
from: retronaut.com


1920s:
Photographers taking each other’s picture on the roof

1902:
Combine harvester pulled by a thirty-three horse team, Washington

 

1932:
Women in a paper plane

Iowa State Fair To Help Fight Hunger On Opening Day

 

By: WOWT.com
Jun 18, 2013
On Opening Day, August 8, the Iowa State Fair will host a one-day meal-packaging event in partnership with Meals from the Heartland, the Iowa Soybean Association, the Iowa Food and Family Project and GROWMARK.
The Fair's goal is to package 250,000 meals to help alleviate life-threatening hunger around the world. The event is funded in part by the soybean check-off.
 The event is part of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions' "Dream Big" food drive hosted by fairs throughout the world. Together, participants hope to collect 20 million pounds of food – enough to fill the daily food needs of nearly six million people.
The Fair is collecting monetary donations to help purchase supplies for the packaged meals. In addition, 1500 volunteers are needed to commit to packaging meals for one-hour shifts from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Fair's opening day. To donate or volunteer, please visit iowastatefair.org.
 Meals from the Heartland is a non-profit organization committed to providing meals for food-insecure families around the world. Since their initial launch in 2008, the organization has packaged more than
31 million meals which have been distributed locally through Iowa food pantry partners as well as shipped throughout the world.
 "Nothing Compares" to the 2013 Iowa State Fair, August 8-18. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

Remembering NYC's World's Fairs

 

from:  ny.curbed.com
by Hana R. Alberts
June 18, 2013
FLUSHING—To honor the 75th and 50th anniversaries of the two World's Fairs that NYC hosted, which are coming up in 2014, the Museum of the City of New York and the Queens Museum of Art are collaborating to catalog every bit of ephemera that they have on file about those two milestone events. Organizing everything related to the 1939/40 and 1964/65 New York World's Fairs will take about 18 months, and includes poring through guidebooks, photographs, postcards, maps, exhibition designs, explanatory pamphlets, and more. To keep tabs on what bits and bobs they're discovering along the way, check out the Tumblr they're keeping throughout the process. [CurbedWire Inbox; official]

SKYWIRE LIVE

from:http://nikwallenda.com/

Amazing Women of the Suncoast: Erenedira Wallenda

from: mysuncoast.com

June 16, 2013

SARASOTA - Each Monday we introduce you to an amazing Suncoast woman; someone in our community who has accomplished great things while overcoming personal challenges. Erenedira Wallenda is our amazing woman this week.

Update: Chesham circus show cancelled

 

Roll up for the circus in Chesham
from: bucksfreepress.co.uk
18th June 2013
A CIRCUS show which was due to roll up in Chesham this week has been cancelled.
Circus Fantasia, which features Britain's youngest circus director and one of the youngest female clowns in Europe, was due to start its five day run of shows at Nashleigh Hill recreation ground tomorrow evening.

But that has now been put back, with the company saying on its Facebook page that it is staying on in Hounslow for another week due to unexpected demand for tickets.

It has reassured Chesham residents the circus will arrive in town but no new dates have so far been announced.
 The show boasts award-winning comedians, jugglers and acrobats from around the world

Shrine Circus Visits Eastern Idaho

from: kpvi.com

Reported by: Phil Campbell

Updated: 6/18

read more:

http://www.kpvi.com/content/news/local/story/Shrine-Circus-Visits-Eastern-Idaho/ddCOSKOV4kutOI5TOLjjvA.cspx

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.
read more:
http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/local_montana/article_71272e60-d894-11e2-bc09-0019bb2963f4.html