Trapeze artist Miss Simone performs at the Culpepper & Merriweather circus. Also a ring master and unicycle performer, she has been touring with the circus since 2003.
David Bastian at the front gate. Mr. Bastian has been in the circus business since the early 1970s when he started working as a deck boss for the Great Circus Train, with the Circus Worlds Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Later, about 1985, he started working for the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus whenever the circus came to Wisconsin, helping with whatever was needed, whether it was booking the show, laying out the lot, or setup/teardown, etc. Since 2017, he and his son Matthew have been taking tickets at the front gate.
The tent in Pleasantville, Iowa.
Leo the Clown cheers up the audience between acts. He is one of the most popular performers and also serves as a tour guide during the morning tent raising.
Miss Natalie, the ringmaster, watches the performance behind the stage. She also presents her dogs as part of the show.
Miss Paulina at her "Big & Little" show. She also performs in a unicycle act with her family as the Arlise Troupe.
The audience lines up outside the tent in Winneconne, Wisconsin.
Trapeze artist Miss Simone backstage in Oconto, Wisconsin, 2018.
Child on a pony outside the tent in Brooklyn, Iowa.
Leo the Clown poses for a portrait backstage during the show.
A scene from Winneconne, Wisconsin.
Miss Paulina backstage before her "Big & Little" show.
Owner and Big Cat Trainer Trey Key backstage in Oconto, Wisconsin, 2018.
Francis rests in the arena before the show. The circus has three big cats, all born in captivity.
Miss Georgia (left) and Belgica (right) chat before the show.
Miss Natalie backstage between acts.
The circus poster appears on the window of a store in Baxter, Iowa.
The Perez Duo–Romario and his father Mamo–pose for a portrait outside the tent. They present "The Wheel of Destiny".
Trapeze artist Miss Simone backstage.
Mr. Ron, performer and creator of unicycle stage act "The Arlise Troupe", watches the performance behind the stage. He performs with his three children Simone, Paulina, Noah and his niece Georgia,
A night at the circus: the food truck.
Workers pack up the tent after the show –the circus moves to the next destination.
