Raising the New Tent Saturday

I’m going to be at a family event, but look what’s going on up there in Bayfield this Saturday (with temps projected to be in the mid-70s):

Big Top Chautauqua friends and volunteers will gather Saturday, May 24 to help pitch the NEW 160′ x 70′, 950-seat, 2,000 pound all-canvas tent for Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua’s 2014 season of music making and star gazing.

The fun begins at 7am as we unroll five giant 400 pound rolls of canvas. By 10am we normally have the canopy rising off the ground. After a break for lunch we complete the truss work while beginning to hang the sidewalls. By about 4 or 5 we are ready to share in the hard-won feeling one only gets following a good day of effort. Whether you stay all day or just come for an hour, there’s always something to do with enjoyable camaraderie. The weekend roustabouts and Big Top “roadies-for-a-day” travel to Bayfield each year from far and wide to sling some canvas, share a meal, swap stories and perhaps play a little music.

This is a free community event and every one is invited to participate. The only job requirements are energy, enthusiasm and a little bit of elbow grease. Lunch will be served to the workers. We do suggest that volunteers bring a pair of work glovesĀ­ – and a camera.


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