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First published in our August 2006 membership newsmagazine The Ignitor
Photo below courtesy Earleen and Rich White.

First and foremost, they like our museum: “We didn’t know you had all this neat stuff and fix it up too”. Apparently the new building signs are working, and they like the map in the show program. Some suggested we have road names, and road signs to also help find the buildings. I.e. Blacksmith Road, Steam Boulevard, Gasoline Alley etc. The Number One question used to be: “Where is the restroom?” It is now: ”When and where do we catch the next Hay Wagon (yes it’s free)?

The rest are the questions you might expect: “When is ,,, (see the schedule), where is…(see the map), who is…(?). Hey, there should be a “Walkie-Talkie” in the info booth to help locate staff and report emergencies. The Show Announcers are a big help paging people and explaining when special things are going on. There were also some good constructive comments made, and we wanted to pass them along.

There was high praise for our food services in choices, quality and prices. They like the BBQ (tri-tip), Ice cream and Bake shop, South of the Border, Sally’s Snack Shack, “Cheese Burger” Jacks’ Road Kill Café and Cold Drinks. Breakfast was so good, we ran out of some choices by about 8:15am. Bob Morley’s GI biscuits and gravy are a classic!

The Tractor Parade( Scroll down ) is good. They said they appreciate the shade (over bleachers) and like the comedy (Caterpillar D8 attack on South Of the Border) parts falling off the Aultman Taylor and picked up by the “pumpkin man”. Our Thresher Cook Shack, Abe Lincoln, The Sheriff and the “Hussies”, and every one in costume! They like displays that are working and someone there telling them about it. Whether it’s Black Smiths , Wheel Wrights, Farmhouse (good snacks), Gas and Steam Engine Rows, Grist Mill, threshing , farming and tractors. They like seeing the big Steam and Gas tractors starting up, running and shutting down. They ask if we have considered doing a tractor pull?

They want things for kids to do and see, as many of them are families with all ages. The “Fraserville” G&STL train is sorely missed (bless you guys for working on it) and we send folks out to the Model RR building (its looking good). The potato picking and pedal tractor races plus play ground area is good for kids. They also missed the “Jumping Room”. The entertainment during the show is a good draw, and visitors like it. We also got some good comments about the “Singing Blacksmiths” and “Riverside Band”.

We can’t see much of the stage show and vendor area from here, but they liked the ice cream, cold sodas and shade (near the stage and parade route) to “hang out”. They liked the Gift Shop, (clean and professional) and some wonder where Joan and Betty get their “bonnets”?

Some suggested we send show schedules to all the So Cal Senior Centers and consider a “package” deal: Admission, hayride and lunch ticket. Apparently if the Senior Centers know far enough in advance, they can set up bus trips for seniors. This may work as we announced it at Fullerton Senior Center and posted it on the bulletin board and by golly Hank showed up! Local (So Cal) TV and public service announcements are needed too.

Some one suggested “Tractor Driving” with a certificate (some of the Rail Road Museums do this by appointment). Maybe we could be the only “Drive a CAT or a Steam Tractor” place in California! By the way, the Hay Wagon Drivers do a real good job of showing off our grounds; especially to families with kids and the elderly.

Keeping up appearances: they love us dressed up for what we are doing (costumes?) They like to take pictures of the steam tractor guys, the Farmhouse ladies, weavers, blacksmiths, thresher men, the Sheriff and Ladies etc. Should South of the Border people wear serapes with their rubber gloves? Hey keep it up, …it’s a show and we are the actors! The small engine areas are good at visiting with the public and explaining what they are seeing. i.e. “Where are those guys with the washing machines and lanterns?” Hoo De Oh…….ho,ho,ho !

Membership booth: Be a hero, and staff this booth during the show. There are a lot of interested people that ask about Blacksmith (apprentices?). Possible signups for Visitor Work days? Etc. Administrative and Marketing: Do we have a “rainy day plan”? Handicapped provision? Could there be City Bus Service to here (AGSEM front gate)? A lot of people were griping about the high gasoline prices. We also suggested they consider the Camp Ground to cut down trips and stay longer.

Scheduling: The 3 ring circus idea fits us pretty well. We all need to let the Show Announcers know when we are doing things: i.e. Some early birds like to see the Blacksmiths lighting up their fires (sorry, forges). Others like to see the Steam Tractors getting up steam. The 3 cylinder Fairbanks-Morse has always been well covered. Things like the Adobe tour (leaving in 5 minutes), Potato races starting etc. Remember too, quitting time! If you need a little time to shut down, have them announce, “last call for…” before you shut down.

Visitors frequently say it takes a full day to see everything. Fun times: We all look forward to the Saturday Night Pot Luck. It’s a time to unwind, visit and catch up with everyone else. Good show and good people…take a bow, you all deserve it! Ps: Who’s the clown that put the “Kissing Booth” sign on our Info Booth?