Cooperation

Here is the situation, a group is performing on a stage which is set about 50 feet in front of the games booths, knife throw, axe throw, star throw and also near the *test your strength and ring the bell* spot. Their show relied on audience participation and being able to be heard clearly through out the performance. So they used an amplification system, which was well disguised in the set around the stage and only obvious to those of us looking for it, which I do out of habit. However, it was not set to be overpowering, it was set up quite well to cover just the required area and it was unobtrusive.

So why, as they were getting the audience participants selected for their show, did a fool from the Games Area decide it was necessary to yell at the top of his lungs, so to be heard Over the amplification, comments deriding the use of said amplification and that He was obviously better than they were as he didn't need a sound system to be heard over them? What could possibly have possessed this complete imbecile to make him intentionally attempt to RUIN this show for the patrons of the faire?

Had he been hawking for his booth and heard over the performers slightly I wouldn't even have noticed it, but that wasn't his point at all, his point was to be derogatory in regards to the performers. That is so far over the line of respect for performers, of which he was one, or still is unless an earlier report of his conduct got him fired, that I have to make a special note of it here.

At other Faires I have attended I have always appreciated the degree of cooperation between members of the cast, the vendors, and the various other acts and groups performing for the patrons. And in all other regards this took place at the Largo Faire as well. I have seen hawkers pointing the way to booth's they weren't specifically hawking for, to assist the patrons, and other performers are aware of where each other are setting up and quite willing to direct those who ask them where their competition is performing, and when, Even if it is in conflict to when They themselves are performing.

The conduct of this individual, intentionally ruining a performance, is in my opinion a totally reprehensible act and he is unworthy of being considered a team member. Sirrah, I shall be watching for you, and pointing you out to faire management and patrons alike as an example of the kind of person that is willing to ruin their faire just for the sake of his own amusement. You work several of the Florida Faires, and I have sent this report to the management of each faire that I know you work for. Not in the hopes of getting your employment terminated, but in the hopes that it will force you to be a supporter of the faires, and not just a money grubbing person masquerading as a gamer intent only on amusing yourself at the expense of the performers of the faire.

In fairness, I would like to state that when I mentioned this individuals conduct to others in the game area that they were chagrined at his actions and would pass on to him the degree to which his actions had been noted. For that I applaud them, as they could have simply brushed me off and ignored the problem.

I hope in the future that I never come across this individual again, or at least this type of individual. For if I do I shall immediately get up and find a member of the management staff and, without interrupting the show in progress, ensure that this kind of idiot cannot ruin the faire for the people who are supporting it by paying their money at the gate and buying from the vendors, tipping the performers.

In all my years of fair this is the one single incident which has been a completely sour experience for me at a faire. I shall not let another incident like this ever ruin my day.

To those of you who support your fellow participants, be they vendors, staff, management, performers, artisans, entertainers, or just a playtron who is supporting your event, I applaud your efforts. You are the ones who make it possible for people like me to be entertained. I thank you.