The two World War I planes were a Nieuport 28, restored but 80 per cent original, and a replica of a SPAD VII. Both planes were flown, and while they were on the ground, spectators were allowed to give them a close inspection while experts described their attributes and answered questions. Many photos of the planes, Model A's, and videos of the planes in flight at this link:
Indeed, many former good shows have disappeared for good, such as the Vermont shows in Manchester and Bennington, the Hemmings Concours d'Elegance which was last held in Saratoga Springs, New York in 2019, and the biggest disappointment for car enthusiasts in the Eastern Massachusetts-Southern New Hampshire region, the permanent closure of the popular Skip's Snack Bar in Merrimac, Massachusetts. Skip's held bi-weekly cruise nights and an annual mega-cruise for the last 25 years of their more than 70-year history. This past season they had no car shows and limited open hours due to inability to get help and announced at the end of the season it would be their last.
Record heat and high fuel cost may have been responsible for some of the decline this season. If that's the case, maybe we can hope for a rebound if weather and gas return to more reasonable levels. My photos of one of the smallest-ever Kiwanis shows can be viewed at this link:
Today’s presentation was the most unusual performance I’ve ever seen. “The Conference of the Birds” is a 900 B.C. sufi poem by Farid ud-Din Attar. This stage version was written by Peter Brook and Jean-Claude Carriere in 1977. The Winnipesaukee Production was wonderfully directed by Teisha Duncan. Klimchak (he only uses one name) composed and performed the score. The many colorful costumes were designed by Nick Cochran.
The cast, each playing multiple roles, featured Lupa Aguilar, Sarvin Alidaee, Nazlah Black, Erica Colarusso, Krystal Pope, Viviana Renteria and Alyssa Naka Silver. Klimchak was seated off to the side of the stage with all the instruments and other devices he used to produce the musical score and other sounds.
I have to own up to the fact that before I could complete writing down my impressions of this play, I had to do some research. The play moved too fast for me to catch all the dialog, action and underlying subtleties. The plot goes like this — the birds of the world have to decide who is to be their king. The leader of the birds tells them they have to cross seven valleys to reach Simorgh. The valleys are Quest, Love, Knowledge, Detachment, Unity, Wonderment and last but not least the valley of Poverty and Annihilation. Got that? Of course, these valleys are all human qualities and failures.
The cast of seven, in colorful costumes, face paint, masks and other adornments, frequently changing to different characters, performed beautifully in just an hour without intermission at a hectic pace, very close to the audience in the small amphitheater. Unlike my earlier experience, there was no danger of a rain-out on this sunny day with moderate temperature in the 70s in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region.
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The show never lacks for variety. You'll find everything from rat rods to customs to muscle cars, all the way up to classics of the '20s, '30s and '40s in original condition. You'll walk about four miles to cover the entire show. I'm not pretending it's like being there, but you can view my photos and videos of the event on your PC, laptop or phone at this link:
You'll find many of the best examples in my photo coverage of the event at this link:
This show is gaining in popularity, with increasingly higher turnout of show cars and spectators with each passing year. My photos from this year's show can be seen at this link:
In 2018, after sixty years in Stowe, the three-day show moved to Waterbury. This year was its 65th annual show. Farr's Field in Waterbury is better for car display than the cow pastures of Nichols Field in Stowe, but the cow pastures had a charm all their own. Waterbury can't match the intimate small-town feel of Stowe for the Saturday afternoon car parade and evening street dancing. I miss Stowe Volunteer Fire Department's cooking and dining under tents in Stowe. In Waterbury, it's hard to find shelter from the hot sun (or some years rain). Some have complained about a lack of variety in the show, with many of the same cars appearing year after year.
With the exception of one year out of thirteen, I've always attended the Saturday show which offers the most variety of the three days. There's a fashion show on the field where owners dress in the same period as their cars and compete for awards. The cars leave the field at 3:30 p.m. and drive into town for a parade. Following that, there's a break of over an hour where you can find a place to dine, then street dancing to '50s rock music commences.
I arise at 5:30 Saturday morning and get ready to make the more than two-hour drive north. I usually leave as street dancing begins and arrive home after 9 p.m. after my longest car show of the season. It's still an exciting day in spite of the shortcomings I mentioned, and I hope to do it again.
You can view my coverage, videos and stills, of the 2022 show at this link:
https://www.linwoodstreet.com/vermont22/
