DECATUR -- "Ladies and gentlemen, and children of all ages, are you ready," Leo the circus clown shouted. The response was an overwhelming, "Yes!"
With that, the circus was under way as spectators gathered at Veterans Park in Decatur Sept. 11 for two performances of the Culpepper and Merriweather circus. The circus, based in Hugo, Okla., made a stop in Decatur during its 32-week tour of the Midwest.
It was nonstop action from Trey Key and his big cats to the Morales brothers on the Wheel of Destiny. Leo the Clown moved the show forward during the many set changes.
The Culpepper and Merriweather circus featured Miss Simone on the trapeze, Georgia the contortionist, Paulina Dukes and her horses Wyatt and Jasmine, Natalie Cainan and her American Eskimo Spitz dogs, the Arline Troupe unicycles, Jonathan Morales on the high wire and the Morales brothers on the Wheel of Destiny.
All these high-energy acts kept the near-capacity crowd glued to their seats during the entire hour-and-a-half performance. The sense of wonder in children's eyes and adults revisiting their childhood said it all: the Culpepper and Merriweather circus was counted a huge success.
The circus was sponsored by the Decatur Chamber of Commerce. Members of the chamber helped with the promotion of the circus, lending their talents to sell tickets, stamp hands, park cars and provide publicity.
The one question which remains is this: will there be a return of the lions, tigers and clowns to the Decatur area? The answer awaits in the future.
General News on 09/17/2014