The 2025 Tour of Massachusetts will begin in mid-May 2025 and end the week prior to Thanksgiving. We project that we will encounter tens of thousands of fellow travelers, as we move from one campground to the next. But that’s just Thursday thru Sunday morning, we have a whole lot of time that will be filled on the early week schedule, with school, library and even “in the park” programs in addition to our focus on the grown-up market in the evenings; presenting our blend of magic & ventriloquism to comedy clubs, country clubs, VFW Posts and more!

A Show with Many Messages…

From the “Human Interest” Side of Things…. this tour is a huge public statement about determination and making your dreams come true, even late in life. This project shows a 65 year old man who just happens to be a two time cancer survivor and still living with MS as well as Diabetes taking up the reigns in his silver years, and making things happen, even in the face of adversity.

The “curb appeal” fleshing out that statement can be seen in the frugality of the project; not only in the initial venture, but in operation. Everything is “green”, from the recumbent trike to the solar power charging system mounted to the top of the caravan trailer. A trailer that supports the show not only by carrying everything they need, but by hosting a fold-down 4×8 foot stage, canopy, LED Stage Lighting and Sound.

What About the Shows?

There are Two, full featured 60 minute programs; “IMAGINATION” and “Night of the Paranormal Puppets”.

IMAGINATION is a stroll down memory lane, back to the early 1960s as Craig was first learning about Magic & Puppets. His stories weaving a trail through various discoveries in those early years as he improvised with everyday items for creating his magic; Rope, Art, Cardboard Boxes, even the patio furniture at Grandma’s house.

Imagine your own reaction, when an image just drawn on a dry erase board, comes to life and starts talking with the performer… This is just one of the unusual circumstances I get myself into during the IMAGINATION Show. Other highlights include an 8 minute discussion around a solid piece of rope, and a most interesting lesson in how to do the famed Chinese Linking Rings. But wait! Craig also brings out his grandmother’s patio chairs, and with the aid of a couple helpers from the audience, he suspends one high above the ground, leaving just the one small chair supporting them from the neck down.

“Night of the Paranormal Puppets” is a tip of the hat to the art of Mentalism, as aspect of professional magic that mimics the abilities associated with Psychics and Mystics throughout time. In this case we have 3 very unusual presenters…

Yeah, Harvey O’Hare is back for a second night of fun, delivering his silly impersonation of a novice enthusiast of Mental Magic. Key highlights include demonstrations in Spoon Bending, Thought Projection and Premonition… and before you ask, No, he does not repeat the bits of business guests saw him do in the IMAGINATION show.

Bob the pygmy Condor demonstrates a most uncanny ability to intuit unspoken thoughts; responding to questions and issues of audience members, just as the amazing Joseph Dunninger and Burling Hull did decades ago. He really is The Bird That Knows All!

Theodore E. Bear closes out the program with his musical tributes and a very unusual demonstration in Sightless Vision. That’s right, the bear gets blindfolded and yet, he can still name random objects and thoughts held by audience members… Oh! I forgot to mention, Theo has a heavy cloth bag pulled over Craig’s head as well, preventing him from helping Theo with the challenge. This is the act that will give The Evason’s a run for their money…

Kid’s Workshop

From 10:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m on Friday & Saturday of the show’s visit at camp facilities a special Workshop will be hosted, in which kids visiting the facility can learn a bit about doing magic and making puppets. Late Saturday afternoon they deliver a full performance for their families as part of their graduation from the program.

The Budget?

Creation of this unique project started nearly a decade ago, when Craig Browning first had the idea of a State Park tour by bike. Obviously the vision has evolved, delivering one of the most unusual promotional vehicles to ever be introduced to the Camping & Tourism industries. It is also the first “green” touring production in New England; a fully self-contained multi-faceted production.

Craig Browning has already invested thousands of dollars and countless hours creating the two main shows and workshop concept; he’s even writing two books on how to do magic, to be given to workshop participants as part of their tuition package. But there’s so much more!

Right now we are reaching out to companies from around the globe who specialize in green transportation; especially when it comes to peddle-powered hybrid systems. We are offering a bit more than a simple promotional exchange, we are literally setting time aside to help sell their product as well as investment opportunities as part of our “pay back” obligation. But we are extending this same kind of turn-key advantage to RV/Camp Trailer producers when it comes to the development of the show caravan unit. In short, we hope to defer the overall costs surrounding this tour, by way of a sponsorship exchange. Otherwise we are looking at a minimum of a $50,000.00 up front investment, just to get things moving.

Bookings, etc.

The first thing event schedulers ask is “How Much Does All This Cost?”

Well, if we were to go by industry standard rates of hire, a one hour show of this caliber typically books at between $2,500.00 and as much as $6,000.00 a day + expenses. But we already know that such fees are way outside the available budget of most camping facilities. In fact, this attraction can be confirmed for less than $1,000.00 a day, though there is a bit of added footwork involved on the hosting facility’s behalf; you have to help us promote the attraction both, with your visiting campers as well as the surrounding community. You see, we have to put seats in the seats if we’re going to have a show. That means selling tickets.

There is a $500.00 base deposit made with each engagement agreement. This literally puts you on the map as we schedule the tour route and helps us tend to pre-production necessities such as printing, website upgrades & management, reaching out to media, etc. There is a balance due upon our arrival, but that money does not have to come out of your own operating budget. Instead, it comes via ticket sales and workshop intuition.

The Family Fun Ticket is $50.00 and admits the typical family of four to participate in both evening programs. But, this same ticket is only $35.00 to registered campers at your facility. Tickets for additional family members at just $12.00 to visitors, or $8.00 to members of camp site family guests.

We Pay You 35% on all ticket sales!

That’s right, your organization will receive a 35% share in the revenue generated via ticket sales. This can be seen as a “donation” for non-profit groups or your pet projects around the camp or community.

The Workshop Tuition is $45.00 for the two-day 8+ hour intensive that is designed to cater to kids from 5 to 15. This workshop will help each participating child to learn their part in a full hour magic & puppet show, starring them! The catch is, they are seeing a much higher value in that each child will receive books on learning magic and puppet making, just one of which “The Cardboard Cavalcade” retails for over $30.00 on line. Parents may likewise invest in related optional purchases of magical props and devices, such as Sponge Balls, Magician’s Rope, On-Line Lessons, and more!

As part of the Workshop program the host facility must help us in having certain supplies on hand (mostly, cardboard and old bed linen, rope, boxes, etc. from which we can build the show).

The Family Show presented by the participating children will usually be held on Saturday afternoon @ approximately 5:00, as a prelude to the evening’s feature show.

Yes! Our engagement in your area may include special shows at the local Elementary or Middle school groups as well as the local Library. Through these engagements we will extend invitation to parents to sign their children up for the Weekend Workshop program. We also encourage ticket sales at the same time. Working with community businesses and education facilities is a big part of what makes this program work. Bringing a bit of magic into everyone’s life!