From: gardner@willinet.net
To: balloon@fooledya.com
Date: Fri, 12 May 2000 22:37:45 -0500
Subject: Re: Walk For Life

Date sent:      	Thu, 11 May 2000 20:28:11 -0400
To:             	"BalloonHQ" <balloon@balloonhq.com>
Subject:        	Re: Walk For Life

> I have a small group of twisters & some clowns (The Joy Helpers) who
> made their debut at a Fall Festival last year. We pumped about 2000
> balloons into the community in about 3 days time. Not bad for having
> started in June. Now there are people twisting balloons everywhere,
> but we're getting the calls.
> 
> We've been contacted about doing a first ever "Walk For Life" here in
> our home town & was wondering if anyone else has been asked. They want
> the "clowns" to entertain the kids. It will be in July during the
> evening. I know somebody out there has had experience with this type
> of thing. Should we expect any payment for this gig & what type of set
> up or walk arounds would you recommend? Thanks a bunch!
> 
> Who Wants To Be A Balloonaire?
> Rob.
> 
This is my fourth year twisting for Walk for Life here.  I think there's 
some flexibility in their arrangements, so what follows may not fit 
your situation.  

They have a "children's hour" when they especially have activities 
for kids.  There are no paid entertainers, and they ask them to stay 
in a specified area.  Once I start making balloons, it's not easy to 
move around. (One year I started in an area, and was asked to 
relocate closer to the other kids activities.  I felt like the pied piper 
with a whole line of people following me.)

I give half my tips to the American Cancer Society, and inform the 
crowd of the fact.  A lot of the time there are kids in line and their 
parents are busy elsewhere, (i.e. no tips). Even when the parents 
are there, tips are sometimes scarce.  On the other hand, 
occasionally I'll get a large tip.  My half of the tips have always 
covered my expenses plus a little bit for my time. This is fine with 
me, as I am a hobbiest, (I still have a day job, PTL!)

I usually stay well beyond my agreed-upon 1-hour shift, as long as 
there are kids wanting balloons. If there are other twisters there, I 
greet them, inform them of my financial arrangements (as a 
professional courtesy - the same information I give to the crowd), 
and try to locate where we will not be competing.  

One thing I'm wanting to add to the venue is team hats - either 
colored alike, or attached together so the team can take a lap as a 
unit.  


Professor Wonder
aka Garry Gardner
Visit the Wonder Factory at:
http://www.willinet.net/~gardner