Big Top Chautauqua Tent Raising

Big Top Chautauqua friends and volunteers will gather Saturday, May 13 to help hoist the 160’ x 70’, 950-seat, 2,000-pound all-canvas tent for Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua’s 2017 season.

The fun begins at 7 a.m. as we unroll five giant 400-pound rolls of canvas. By 10 a.m. 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 everyone 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 gloves – and a camera

• For questions please contact us at 715-373-5552 or volunteer@bigtop.org