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Mr. Leo Acton, spokesman and performer with the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, greets one of the bareback horses as he explains their care during a tour of the circus site on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Ann Reagan) -
Wendell the male lion watches the crew raise the tent from his enclosure in Olton, Texas on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Ann Reagan) -
This family is enjoying ice cream sundaes at the Ice Cream Social event at the Lamb County Library on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Ann Reagan) -
Youngsters playing Tic-Tac-Toe at the Ice Cream Social at the Lamb County Library. (Photo by Ann Reagan) -
Face painting was a popular activity during the Ice Cream Social at the Lamb County Library on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
The City of Olton hosted the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on Saturday, April 13, 2024 bringing a centuries old tradition to Lamb county residents. The public was invited to the tent raising and tour at no cost.
During the 18th century, all performances that would eventually be associated with the circus, from traveling menageries to horse shows to acrobatic acts, already existed. Menageries traveled across the country, and horse shows and acrobat acts performed in available wooden arenas. It was only when these performances were brought together under the same roof that the modern circus was born. America in the 1800’s was growing and expanding at a rapid rate. At that time, the cir- cuses used horse drawn wagons to keep up with the movement of the population. In 1825, Joshuah Purdy Brown became the first circus entrepreneur to replace the usual wooden construction with a full canvas tent, the system became commonplace by the mid-1830s. In 1872, William Cameron Coup, in corroboration with Phineas T Barnum’s company, devised a system of daily transportation by rail for their circus and the American traveling tent shows were propelled into a new era of growth and popularity. Thankfully the tradition continues two centuries later in a smaller, more intimate venue.
According to the circus’s spokesman/clown, Leo Acton, the Culpepper and Merriweather show is owned and operated since 2000 by Trey Key, who keeps the show very family oriented and traditional. It provides 90 minutes of fast paced action provided by a cast that includes: Romichel Macias- Foot Juggling, The Loyal Family-Bareback Riders, Trey Key-Big Cats, Arlise Troupe-Unicycles, Perez Duo-Wheel of Destiny and Tight Wire, Leo- Circus Clown, and Simone Key- Trapeze.
Elephants have been replaced by a Bobcat tractor, and the C&M show is pared down to one large tent, but the tradition is very much the same. The free tour not only gave the community to observe the work and efficiency of the crew, but also a good look at their beautiful animals. Upon arrival, one immediately noticed the ponies who were happily grazing on the site. On another area of the site the two tigers, Solomon and Delilah as well as Wendell the lion could be seen in their enclosures near the tent watching the tent activity. The big Belgian and Percheron bareback horses were calmly waiting for their performance in their portable corral.
All of their big cats were bred in captivity and are rescues. The circus is licensed and inspected by the USDA, and the animals are seen by a veterinarian every 30 days. They have a team of worldclass veterinarians networked throughout the circus’s tour route. The animals are trained using only positive reinforcement.
Solomon and Delilah are Golden Tabby Tigers who were rescued from a roadside zoo that had been shut down by the USDA. And Wendell the Lion was surrendered by an exotic pet owner, who eventually found the lion “too big” to handle. Mr. Acton, stated that once the cats are situated and settle down they spend most of their day sleeping until show time. He added that male lions can sleep up to 22 hours a day noting that in the wild the lionesses do all the hunting and cub rearing while the male’s main job is to impress the females and occasionally help the lionesses ward off intruders.
The show’s employees come from four different nations and varied backgrounds and yet somehow still work together as a seasoned, professional team usually beginning the process by 7:30 am. The crew expertly positions the large three piece tent, and begins setting the poles. The big top was manufactured by the Vasquez Tent Company in Dallas, Texas. The tent raising usually takes about three hours, and after the show they can have it taken down and packed up in about an hour and a half. Then the show moves on to the next location and the process begins anew.
Culpepper & Merriweather is based in Hugo, Oklahoma. They currently perform along two routes running throughout the mid western United States. They will cover about 22,000 miles during a season. For more information visit the website at www.cmcircus.com.