Circus brings animals, clowns, exotic acts to Ronan

Wendell is a teenage lion, but he weighs in at 450 pounds. He and lioness Delilah are head-lion-ers for the Culpepper & Merryweather Circus, which performed two shows Sunday in Ronan. 

Aerialist Miss Elizabeth dangled by her hair high above the arena, while the Loyal family rode their horses bareback and dazzled the audience with their dexterity. 

The circus set up a big top tent at the Ronan fairgrounds for performances at 2:30 and 4 p.m. This is Culpepper & Merryweather’s fifth visit to Ronan. 

Safe Harbor hosts the circus and sets up a carnival for children headed to the big show. Community co-sponsors volunteer and help supply prizes for carnival games and food booths to tempt children. There was face painting, a dime toss, cookie walk and other fun booths.

The dunking booth was popular on a warm Sunday afternoon. Two brothers asked to take turns trying to dunk each other and succeeded.

Funds raised contribute to Safe Harbor’s mission of providing shelter, supportive services and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as education, awareness and resources to the community. 

Happy faces, some sticky with cotton candy, and kids painted to look like animals, walked out the gate. Parents and children alike had a fun, family day at the circus. 

    Holly, a clown with the Culpepper & Merryweather Circus, greeted people as they entered the big top on Sunday. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)