Circus to be in Albany Oct. 7

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, sponsored by the Albany Lions Club, will be in Albany in a little over a week, with two shows on Friday, Oct. 7.

Billed as “America’s last traditional Big Top Circus,” the troupe will feature 90 minutes of action including animal acts and high-flying aerials, according to the company’s website.

Shows are scheduled at 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on that Friday.

“The Lions Club did not have a choice of dates,” said club president Bob Skelton. “We would have preferred a Saturday for the event, but the circus will be coming from Graham the night before and will travel to Coleman for performances the following day.”

Skelton added that club members know that the varsity football game in Miles that same night will reduce the crowd at this year’s event.

The Lions Club sponsored the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus in Albany three years ago in the fall of 2019, as well in 2017 and several times before that.

After traveleing from Graham and spending the night and spending the night on the Nancy Smith Elementary grounds, the C&M crew will set up on the south side of the NSES gym and cafeteria.

At 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 7, according to the website, a free tour of the circus grounds will be offered to the public, including watching the workers raise the tent.

Tickets are available from Lions Club members or on the website, ­cmcircus.com.

Skelton said that 100 $7 child tickets have been donated to the elementary school for students. Those are also good for seniors 65 and over.