The tents went up, the crowds showed up, and our day under the blue big top began. Mark, One Change [1] resident huckster and Pied Piper of the tire gauge, mounted his soapbox to address the passing crowds. Like a troubadour he enticed local Canadian Tire [2] shoppers with his tales of free digital tire gauges given out for nothing more than a moment of their time and three characters interspersed with three numerals. Interests peaked, the passers turned patrons promenaded to the pavilion, entering not at their peril but with privilege and passion to procure their pressure-probing purveyances. Greeted by our crew with toothy grins and gracious demeanour, the public settled in to be captivated by our feats of wonder.

Spotlight on centre stage. Under the early morning sunlight local MP and acting ringmaster Irene Mathyssen [3] (pictured here) addressed the public, delivering a message that one change in your life can save precious money, help you to stay safe in your vehicle, and protect the environment. Keeping your tire pressure accurate by checking once a month was the message distributed, and the following fell into line to receive their rewards for being so attentive. Brandishing newly acquired gauges in-hand the mustered crowd thanked us, and was enthralled to find demonstrations on how to use their devices to the tune of “Psst! Psssst! Pssssssst!” as the tires chimed in and sounded off. All were delighted and revelry pervaded the air under the dome.

Act II. Young Evaline Warmels, local philanthropist and high school junior, entered the fray with smiles and exuberance. Donning her blue One Change outfit, she took on multiple positions in a feat of acrobatics, jumping from station to station in a spectacle captivating to behold. Balancing the dual duties of information taker and tire gauge distributor, she delighted and dazzled eager attendees with her grace and generosity until the day’s enterprise came unto an end.

All great things must eventually move on, so the road crew of Lynda, Dave, and Spencer loaded up our family friendly festival into our van, and with wheels turning drove off along Dundas to appear again another day in another town in need of change.

By Spencer Hills - Field Rep