Circus coming to Postville on Aug. 3
Big cats, trapeze, tight rope walking, horse riding and more will entertain audiences when the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus comes to the Big 4 Fairgrounds in Postville on Saturday, Aug. 3. This image shows one of the performers in last year’s show in Prairie du Chien, Wis. (Photo by Steve Van Kooten, Courier Press)
By Audrey Posten
Monona Chamber and Economic Development, Inc. (MCED) and the city of Postville are collaborating to bring the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus to the area on Saturday, Aug. 3. Performances are set for 2 and 4:30 p.m. at the Big 4 Fairgrounds in Postville.
This is the culmination of a two-year process for MCED Director Ardie Kuhse.
“You get your name on the list, but they travel around and don’t take the same route every year. This year, it finally happened,” she said.
Kuhse and the MCED Board felt a circus would be a good fundraiser for the organization—and the area. When it was discovered Monona did not have the space needed for the circus, Kuhse approached nearby Postville.
“We took it to the Big 4 Fairgrounds, and it’s been a joint effort to market and sell tickets to gain support from the surrounding area,” she shared.
Kuhse said organizers had no control over the date the circus is coming to town, which falls within the Clayton County Fair. She is hopeful community members will support both.
“It’s a good family outing, and the times don’t hinder evening activities at the fair,” Kuhse noted. “I feel the timeframe is workable for both.”
The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus has been providing quality, local family entertainment for 38 years. The authentic one-ring, big top circus has been featured on the A&E special “Under the Big Top,” Nick News’s “On the Road with Circus Kids” and most recently on Oklahoma Educational Television Authority’s “Big Top Town.”
2024 will include new performances featuring Big Cats presented by Trey Key, Aerialist Extraordinaire Simone on the trapeze, the 10th generation Loya Bareback Horse Riders, the Perez Daredevil Duo on the tight rope and wheel of destiny, Elizabeth Ayala’s incredible foot juggling and hair hang and everyone’s favorite Circus Clown Leo Acton.
Activities on Aug. 3 will begin at 11 a.m. with a tent raising and tour. People are invited to watch the big top rise and will have a chance to tour the grounds and get a behind-the-scenes look at the show. Learn about life on the road and how animals receive care.
The midway opens at 1 p.m., offering pony rides, a moon bounce, giant slide, face painting and concession stand.
Shows will start at 2 and 4:30 p.m., each lasting 90 minutes.
Advance tickets are available online or at the Monona Chamber office, Fisk Farm and Home in Monona, FreedomBank in Monona and Postville, Fidelity Bank and Trust of Postville and Postville City Hall. A higher percentage of advance tickets goes back to the sponsor, meaning more money goes back into the community.
“It’s also cheaper to get tickets in advance,” Kuhse said.
Tickets will be available at the box office on the circus grounds one hour before each show as well.
Kuhse is excited about the opportunity.
“We’re fortunate to have our turn on this two-year cycle,” she said. “If you haven’t been to a circus in awhile, they are top notch.”
Learn more about this year’s show at cmcircus.com or follow the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on Facebook and Instagram.
