As we were preparing to leave Puppet Fest MidWest at the North Central Missouri College, a storm front blew in with some of the strangest cloud formations I have ever seen. The following photos capture some of the awesome nature of these clouds, but cannot convey the panorama and drama that we saw.

I was trying to imagine how puppeteers during the 1930’s and ‘40’s (and perhaps ‘50’s and ‘60’s) would gather for festivals or get-togethers. I have seen old photographs of 40 or 50 people gathered together at the country home of Rufus and Margo Rose, famous marionette performers. I imagine a few would conduct workshops about construction techniques, new materials and how to use them for puppets, and the ‘ins-and-outs” of the business of free-lance performers. I suppose there would be a lot of time for just chatting, over food and drinks, with friends about their families and other puppeteer friends and show-people, the highs and lows of performing for different audiences, and just the experiences of their lives and travels. To me this seems like a sweet, old-fashioned, friendly way to share the art and the camaraderie.

 This nostalgic experience is what I have felt in reality at Puppet Fest MidWest this last week. There were about 48 puppeteers there from all over the USA; one even came from South Africa. We met in workshops that lasted 4 days of the festival. We got to share and learn in-depth from some of the most successful puppeteers in the USA. We gathered together at meal times, and numerous coffee/snack breaks, and evening refreshments at a local café open only for us. The village we meet in reminds one of Mayberry from the old-time TV series The Andy Griffith Show. The pace at PFMW is never too hectic or over-loaded.

I think it is one of the best festivals/conventions/seminars I have ever attended. It is jokingly referred to as a “dinner party with puppets thrown in.” Thanks to Peter and Debbie Lutzky Allen and the Rumpelstiltskin Society for planning such a great festival!