There was a lion. There was a tiger. There weren't any bears, but there were plenty of smiling faces as the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus entertained crowds with two shows last week.

The Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce brings the circus to Thompson Falls every other year but missed 2020 due to the pandemic. "We were very excited to have the circus back this year," said Andrea Christensen, Chamber secretary. "It's a fantastic family friendly event."

The two shows were held last Wednesday evening at Previs Field below Thompson Falls High School. More than 600 community members, including some from Mineral and Lincoln counties, gathered to watch the big top go up that morning, then hundreds of people started lining up for the first showing that afternoon. Outside the tent, Culpepper & Merriweather crew members provided face painting, pony rides, concessions and other fun for circus goers. Bellgica Perez, 20, a third-generation circus performer, has been face painting since she was six years old. She said butterflies and tigers are the most requested designs for faces.

Perez also performs in the wheel of destiny during the circus with her brother. She has been performing for two years.

"Talk about dangerous, and I'll do it," said Perez, and the wheel of destiny certainly contains danger. During the act, the Perez siblings enter a contraption with a wheel on both ends and perform various tricks as it circles around the tent.

Annie Wooden

Daniel Berger (left) and Braeden Helvey enjoy a pony ride before the circus in Thompson Falls.

The circus life suits Perez. She said she likes to travel, see new places and meet new people. Culpepper & Merriweather staff travel each April through October. In the off months, some crew members take a break while others head south to join other circus groups.

The circus in Thompson Falls included several acrobatic performances as well as antics from Leo the clown, who kept the crowd laughing as crew members set up and took down props.

The circus is a fundraiser for the Thompson Falls Chamber, which sponsors numerous community events in its effort to promote local businesses. The Chamber recently hung flower baskets along Main Street in Thompson Falls.

For more information, visit http://www.thompsonfalls

chamber.org.