The Culpepper and Merriweather Circus returned to Grandview Plaza Tuesday as part of a fundraiser for the Grandview Plaza Fire Department.

Two years ago the Circus raised approximately $4,000 that went towards the purchase of a thermal imaging camera. This year the Fire Department is raising funds in order to help pay increased insurance fee’s according to Jerome Thomas, GVP Fire Chief.

“Through the Kansas State Firefighters Association we get so much money, but we decided we’d add a little more life insurance for the firemen, and so in return we have fundraisers it helps with the fire grants but it also helps them pay for their insurance,” said Thomas.

The Circus put on two shows Tuesday evening, one at 5 pm and another at 7:30 pm, and according to Thomas he felt that mother nature’s threat of rain may have prevented some people from coming out, but he was still happy with the crowd on hand.