To all Circus Carnies:
Hold your horses….the elephants are coming! Step right up and see for yourselves…Ladies and Gentleman…Children of all Ages… “The Greatest Scam on Earth” spectacle for all is about to begin! Seniors from every walk of life will travel to the lot (showgrounds) at the Vigo County Fairgrounds on May 12, 2009 to experience a free trip to the Big Top in Terre Haute. Over the past hundred years, circus folk have developed and adapted a vocabulary all their own. It’s a reminder of the robust way international outlook kinkers (circus performers) and Joey’s (clowns) have as they work and play under the Big Top. From the moment of their arrival, they will feel as though they have “Run away with the Circus”. The Ducat Grabber (door tender) will give the customary “Doors” signal and greet the Senior townies (anyone not traveling with the circus) with a smile and small show. After signing in and get their circus “Bibles” (souvenir program) as well as a veritable sac of circus treasures which includes an Annie Oakley (complimentary ticket/wrist band).
Continuing a longstanding American tradition that dates back more than 2 years, the “Greatest Scam On Earth” has a mandate to mesmerize, astound and entertain families with our human and animal performers in a colorful kaleidoscope of non-stop wonders! Our annual seminar this year will take on a 3-ring circus format designed to include members of the community interested in being entertained as well as making a difference. It will be the most amazing, jaw-dropping, undeniably entertaining show in town.
The pie car will be open for breakfast (8am-9am) allowing fellowship and time for everyone to “bump a nose” (some people cite this as the good luck phrase before a performance) Just be careful to keep your rubber nose clean while doing it.
The Ballyhoo (circus spotlight) in all its luminous glory will sweep the house as the dust and peanut shells settle and windjammer (circus musician) bombastic, Lisa Krause, culminates the opening of the circus with our National Anthem. The Terre Haute Gaffer (Town manager Mayor Duke A. Bennett) will then announce the official “come-in” (period before showtime when public is entering the arena before the circus begins), at 8:30 am to present a ceremonial proclamation and present proclamations from Mayors across the state and surrounding communities in Illinois. The Senior Townies will be entertained this year by Professional Roustabout Lecturers (a circus laborer who educates) who know the ins and outs of heat merchants (an unscrupulous advance-sale phoneroom ticket sales agent), grafters (gambler who trails a show), Larry’s (loser) and Jonahs (a person who brings bad luck to everyone in his vicinity) and crime shows who prey on circus life. There will be time scheduled in the morning, at lunch, and in the afternoon for townies to meet the various carnies (Vendors) and missionaries (Benefactors) who made their spectacle possible.
Our Master of Ceremonies, Ringmaster John Fugate, International Circus Hall of Fame Ringmaster John Fugate ( Bronze Medalist as 3rd Best Ringmaster in the World, Honoree: Circus Fans of America, Honoree: Circus Historical Society; Actor: Big Fish-Sideshow Barker; Indianapolis 500 Speedway Ranking Old-timer’s Member; and Board Member of International Circus Hall of Fame) will enlighten as to one of the biggest scams on earth, circus misconceptions. He’ll also shed a light on circus superstitions, such as
During each break there will be a BLOW OFF (The shofar will blow to signal a break in the show when the concessionaires come out)
In between side shows and circus Roustabout performers, in our center ring we will welcome Kinkers (circus performers) from the Wabash Senior Activity Center doing age defying acts to mesmerize, tantalize and entertain.
At 11:30 Flags up! The cookhouse will open… get your hot dogs! The Butcher will be strolling the big top with A Dukey bag (bag lunch provided for the workers on the jump) for the cirky’s and townies unable to make it to the Grease joint (hot dog or grill concession).
To avoid a circus headache , circus carnies will be requested (and encouraged) to bring their swag (midway game prizes, souvenirs/toys/freebies) and set up the midway (the area where all the concessions, booths are located) with their garbage joint (souvenir or novelty stands) the day PRIOR to the event (8a-3p on 5/11/09). Keep in mind, soliciting the townies will be strictly forbidden. Anyone caught doing so will be fed into an organ grinder while joeys and monkeys dance merrily about them. For your convenience, Marquees will be posted to clearly signal the entrance to the Big top lot. Remember the success of the circus depends on the amount of effort and creativity you put into your barker side shows (booths) when pitching your tents (decorating).
Circus troupers (person who has spent a full season with the circus i.e. committee members) will be wearing their recognize-able neon green shirts if you any have questions or need a good laugh.
Three (3) trophies will be awarded to: a) the Best Use of their Space, b) Most Creative, and c) Best in Keeping with the Theme. Additionally, don’t forget to vote on May 11th for the Patch Adams Award trophy which will be awarded to whoever you feel was most helpful at the Greatest Scam on Earth event. Our seniors will vote on May 12th for the carnie they like best and you could be crowned with the prestigious of all….The Golden Nose award!
Keep an eye out in your town for the advance men with show-bills detailing this spectacle.
So get off your kiester…get some sawdust in your veins and come run away with us to the circus…. Hurry Hurry, Step right up…. reserve your FREE space for the Greatest Scam on Earth. We’re expecting a straw house (sold out performance) in excess of last year’s over 2000 attendees. Please email your reservation to aplin@verizon.net (include your business name, address, phone, and email address when emailing back. You may phone the Wabash Senior Activity Center as an alternate means of conveying your reservation.
May all your days be circus days!
Lori Aplin RN
Circus Boss Canvasman and Gaffer
Fraud and Scam Awareness Seminar 2009
www.fraudandscam.org
Check website for vendor layout map prior to arrival!