Circus performers bring smiles of delight

First-time circus visitors were obvious if not by their mere age, then by their eyes brightened with cautious curiosity at the new sights, sounds, and smells as they waited in line to enter the Big Top in Thompson Falls last week. As the audience built in numbers, the circus performers interacted with the kids both outside the tent and inside. Although many spectators may not have been aware, those working at the pony ride and bouncy houses as well as those painting faces and selling circus popcorn, cotton candy and souvenirs were the same members of the Culpepper and Merriweather troupe who entertained in the circus ring.

The first act in the ring was the Big Cats act, where the owner of the circus, Trey Key, had the two tigers and one lion performing tricks for the audience. It certainly appeared the cats loved their human, as the interactions were playful and Key was washed with “kitty kisses”.

The unicycle act was truly a family affair as dad, Ron Dykes, performed with two of his daughters, Georgia and Pauline, as well as his niece, Simone. Simone also entertained as the ringmaster and on the trapeze, while Pauline performed the horse act and ran the pony ride before the circus and during intermission. Georgia was the contortionist and the artist doing the face painting. Ron was in charge of the souvenirs, when not in the ring. Leo, the clown, one of the circus family if not the Dykes family, kept the audience laughing with his antics and, according to Dykes, has an enduring, natural sense of humor that helps keep the group in good spirits as they tour. In total, 30 humans and 16 animals travel with the Culpepper and Merriweather circus, which performs seven days per week (each day in a different small town) from mid-March through mid-October.

This year marks the 30th anniversary for the Culpepper and Merriweather circus, which makes a larger circle to the West coast during odd years. Thompson Falls has been a regular stop on the West Coast loop for many years, giving regular attendees, like 82 year-old Peter Lindmaier, the opportunity to become very familiar with the circus family and to literally watch some of the performers grow up.

In addition to bringing laughter and joy to the kids of all ages who attend, the circus also partners with the Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce, which receives a percentage of the ticket sales to help support community needs. Gigi Comer from the Chamber and also the honorary master of ceremonies, who made the initial introductions and welcome, said that more than 1,000 tickets were sold during the advanced ticket sales. Lines at the ticket booth indicated that the overall sales far exceeded that number. Plans are already underway for the 2019 Thompson Falls edition of the circus, so let the anticipation begin.