On the Road to Kearney Nebraska

We’re off to the Nebraska Fair Convention this weekend to book our 2012 summer season. The days on the convention floor are long, but we always have a LOT of fun catching up with old friends while we’re there.

Several fairs have already reserved their dates for 2012, but we still have quite a few dates still open in June and August.

Time Flies …

Ever have one of those days when you start in on things in the morning and the next thing you know it supper time?

I’m having one of those months.

After we got back from Arizona, it seemed like no time at all till we were knee deep in preparations for the upcoming fair conventions.

Then the Iowa convention …

Then there was the holidays …

And the Kansas convention.

Mind you, I’m not complaining. Far from it. It’s been great. I’m just a bit stunned that we’re already almost to the middle of January.

I may have to trade in my calendar for a new one. This one is running a bit fast.

Cowboy Up!

Last night I did the Cowboy Cons & Swindles at the “Hats Off to the Cowboy” event in Black Canyon City AZ.

It was a Blast! Dakota Livesay from the “Chronicle of the Old West ” was the master of ceremonies, ridin’ herd on all manner of cowboy-related goings on including John Wayne impersonator, John Wayne Anderson (no relation); Arizona Dude, Bob Roloff; Julie Anne Reims with all kinds of Hollywood Western memorabelia; and the gals from the Historical Cowgirls Society. And right in the miidle of it I was swindlin’ event-goers with the shell game, three card monte, and demonstrations of crooked card handling.

Made a lot of friends and enjoyed myself thoroughly. Looking forward to the next cowboy gathering.

Into the Southwest!

The last couple of weeks have been incredibly busy!
We did the National Cattle Congress in Waterloo and then headed for Medicine Lodge Kansas for a sesquicentennial celebration at the stockade museum. We had our medicine show set up next to Carrie Nation’s historic house! It was a LOT of fun!
We then headed to Willcox, Arizona for Rex Allen Days and I had the opportunity to perform cowboy cons and swindles at the 2011 Western Entertainer Awards event. Met some great people and had the best time!
We’re now in Phoenix visiting family and I’ll be doing the medicine show at Buck Montgomery’s Glendale Wild Western festival the mddle of October.
Do I have the best job or what?

Hobo Days

Friday and Saturday we were in Britt, Iowa for their Hobo Days celebration. This was one of the most enjoyable town festivals we’ve had the pleasure of doing. First, the weather was wonderful. That certainly helped. But beyond that, it was obvious that people really cared about their town and this festival. We were made to feel very welcome immediately, and throughout the event there were the kind of wonderful human moments that small town festivals are all about.

We were right on Main Street and the audiences were incredible. What’s more, the event staff seemed to be everywhere taking care of things before they became problems and making sure nothing got in the way of people having a good time and enjoying themselves.

On Main Street in Britt, Iowa

The folks in Britt should be very proud of what they’ve done with Hobo Days. We look forward to coming back next year.

The Good Life

We’re in Holdrege, NE the next couple of days at the Phelps County Fair. The weather has finally cooled off a bit. I knew it was going to be a good fair when we followed the carnival iron into town.

The shows today went well. But things are winding down. Here is a view out my front door, and another out the back. There is something magical about a fairgrounds after dark.

A Couple Days Off

We’re off yesterday & today. And by “off” I mean no shows, just an 700 mile jump to Scott City Kansas for shows Friday and Saturday.

This will be our third year in Scott City. It is a lovely little fair and the people are wonderful. We always have a great time there.

Did I mention it’s Hot?

Luckily, we will be set up under the pavilion shade roof so it should be relatively comfortable.

 

Hit the Ground Running!

Things have been busy the last few weeks getting ready for our summer season. Well the summer season is now well under way. We did “Dirt Days” in Miles, Iowa. It was a lot of fun. State fairs are fun and all but we really do prefer the small town fairs and festivals. You get the opportunity to meet people. They’re great!

We just got through doing the Nance County Fair in Fullerton, Nebraska. We were set up in a pretty little shaded park. Very nice.

Doc in the Park - Fullerton, Nebraska

Currently, we’re in Manchester, Iowa at the Delaware County Fair. It’s a pretty good-sized fair and the people have been fantastic. I’ll post more as soon as I can. But right now I have to run. We’re doing three shows daily at 3pm, 5:30pm & 7pm.

Meet the Fleas!

Just two more weeks until our summer season officially starts! Most of my work right now involves putting the finishing touches on the flea circus. You’ll have to wait until we unveil it to see what all the fuss is about, but I thought I would post some of the posters so you could meet the fleas. (Many thanks to artist Kira Layli for bringing the fleas to life with her incredible drawings.)

Hercufleas is the strongest flea in the world! He is a three-time winner of the Iron Flea competition, and holds the world record for the flea jump. He cleared three Great Danes, two Yorkies, and a hyperactive Chihuahua.

Fleadini is the “Flea of Mystery” from far off India … napolis. (Hey that’s pretty far off for a flea!) He bills himself as the world’s smallest escape artist and illusionist. (Although he hasn’t quite worked all the bugs out of his magic tricks yet.)

F’lea Petit is the infinitesimal Femme Fatale from France and aerial artiste par excellence! When she’s not stealing the show, she’s stealing kisses and stealing hearts. (She leaves all the boys scratching their heads at any rate.)

You can see all the fleas in the Bungling Bros. Bowser & Beagle Circus! It’s all part of Doc Anderson’s Traveling Medicine Wagon Show.

Getting Ready for Summer

The weather is turning warmer and my thoughts turn to summer. We’ve got a good summer season shaping up. You can check out my calendar by clicking on the link at the bottom of the menu at the right.