LENOX — On Sunday, Lenox will play host to magic and childhood fun in the form of the Culpepper and Meriweather Circus.
C and M Circus will be giving performances at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Lenox rodeo grounds parking lot, located at the intersection of East Iowa and South Temple streets.
“I probably called five or six different communitites that had them before, and they gave me glowing reviews,” said Michelle Tullberg, Lenox Area Chamber of Commerce coordinator. “They were very impressed with the way they handled the circus and the animals. They thought they handled them with a lot of care and kindness. ... They were very clean in their exit, and just had very good reviews.”
The circus, which is based out of Oklahoma, is in its 30th year and is doing a tour of Iowa including Prairie City, Chariton and Osceola. Acts include a unique chorus line, big cat, single trapeze and tight rope performances.
“They (C and M Circus) actually stopped by and had a pre-booking agent who hits towns,” Tullberg said. “We have not had a circus in Lenox, it’s probably been at least 30 years.”
A free morning tour and tent raising will take place 9:30 a.m. Sunday, depending on weather and other variables. Circus-goers can watch circus workers set up the big top, as well as meet the animals in the show and learn about circus life.
“I know Creston had theirs, what, July 1? So, that was kind of a concern of ours,” Tullberg said. “But, not everyone went to that one, so we’re hoping it’ll still be a good deal for us.”
Advance tickets are available until Saturday for $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 2 to 12 years at Lenox businesses and organizations PCSB Bank, Iowa State Savings Bank, NuCara Pharmacy, Lenox Hardware, Lenox City Hall, Lenox Municipal Utilities and Lenox Area Chamber of Commerce. After noon Saturday, tickets will be available at Lenox Hardware until 5 p.m. Tickets will be available the day of the circus starting an hour before each show at $13 for adults and $7 for children.
For more information or to reserve tickets, call 866-BIG-TOP-6, or visit the website at cmcircus.com.