March 2010 in Review

We are soaking wet up here in New England, nearly 20 inches of rain have fallen in three weeks, making March is wettest ever.  In a typical year we receive 40 inches of rain so does this mean we have received half our rain for the year? Probably not, but I'm sure there are many events wishing that were so. 

The phones have really picked up as people are snapping up entertainment for the spring, summer and fall of this year.  This month peoples interest has really turned to thrill shows, action sports shows, monster truck shows and daredevils. 

On March 21st we paid our annual visit to the city of Lawrence, Massachusetts for their fantastic Saint Patrick's Day Parade.  They had a lovely warm day, which was a rarity here in the past month.  Provided by MacKay Entertainment for the parade was Molly the Clown whom we have worked with for many years, Molly is an alumni of Vermont's own Circus Smirkus as well as a veteran of Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus.  Big League Brian also joined the crew, he is a regular performer/stilt walker on Yawkey Way at every Red Sox home game.  Brian was seen in the movie Fever Pitch and if often seen on many many sports news shows.  Boris Koski took a ride through Lawrence on his Velocipede as a Leprechaun.  Joining them in the strolling performer team was Dumbo and KooKoo the clowns.  Strolling performers are a great addition to parades, as any parade coordinator can attest, they have the ability to fill in the gaps that happen somehow between parade units and keep the audience entertained with slapstick jokes, juggling, bike riding and much more.

For the first time in the Lawrence St. Patrick's Day Parade two camels from Zoo Shows marched in the parade.  The Dromedary O'Camels as we call them on St. Patrick's Day were a big hit with the children.  I'm betting it was one of the only St. Patrick's Day Parades around to have live marching camels!  Camels are often seen around during Christmas Parade's as well as a must have for Three Kings Day Parades.  We are fortunate enough to have camels available throughout the country for appearances, parades, rides, photos shoots and even a few performing camels as well!

On Sunday the 28th is was great to get an inside look at Herschand Family Entertainment as the reality show "Undercover Boss" took CEO Joel Manby on a secret mission through some of their property's to get a day in the life view of some of their employees.  We will be visiting Wild Adventure's late this spring which is a Herschand Family Entertainment property.

We have received word from the High Flying Pages Trapeze Act that they have one short run left to book this summer.  If anyone is looking for a fantastic family show with lots of action (Trapeze, Russian Swing, Ponies) there is an opportunity to book them between August 9 to 22nd.  We should be able to accommodate one or two fairs that we can route between Michigan and Vermont.  Please call us if you would like to place an offer for this crowd pleasing act. 

July Performer of the Month - Chuckwagon Mac

July is all about all American activities such as the Fourth of July, which makes us think of all American entertainment. July's entertainer of the month spotlight is Chuckwagon Mac whose chuckwagon show has been a family favorite for years on the fairgrounds and festival grounds on the east coast.

The chuckwagon was invented by rancher Charles Goodnight in the mid 1800's and was used throughout the United States and Canada to carry the food for the cowboys on long cattle drives. Chuckwagon Mac's show gives the history of the chuckwagon, the cattle drive, and the tools of the trade. It is an all day display and features Richard McAllister who is the narrator, story teller, historian, and an all around character. Mac brings with him his chuckwagon, sound system for voice amplification, ambient music, a display map of the cattle drive trails in America, many tools such as spurs, coffee grinder, barb wire, etc.

Richard McAllister or "Mac" as he is known was originally from Rochester, NY. In his show business career he worked as a circus clown, a circus advanceman, and a rodeo clown. In the off season he resides in Davie, Florida with his wife Carol.

The show is hands on so it is perfect for school groups visiting the fair and festival grounds. We would recommend Chuckwagon Mac for Agricultural Fairs, Festivals with an American or Western theme, Rodeos and even Camping and RV shows, after all the Chuckwagon was the 1866 version of the Winnebago. The show is also perfect for corporate BBQ events or any party with a western theme. If your grounds has a museum or an antiques display, Chuckwagon Mac would be a wonderful addition.

Mac's show pricing is friendly for events with modest budgets and when you consider it is an all day live attraction rather than just two or three shows it is a bargain. The show takes up very little space (as small as 25' x 25') and just requires electricity, Mac has a camper so hotel accomodations are not necessary if he can be accomodated with power and water service for his camper. Past events have included the Eastern States Exposition, Champlain Valley Exposition, Subfest (for the US Navy), the Topsfield Fair, Lee Founders Day and the Erie County Fair to name a few.