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[SteamFreak]

Does anybody remember a bell tower with 2 or 3 bells and possibly torches on it? There's an old one sitting in one of our back-back lots and I can't figure it out...

[rubedugans]

I got a few shots of the 2010 rainmaker on the square. I didn't get a chance to see the show, but here's what's there!

[Joy]

omgomgomg!

Thank you, Rube!!!

[History Buff]

I hope the presentation is better than the wagon looks.

[rubedugans]

To me this looks very kid friendly, kinda like a geyser gulch version of the rainmaker. A bright technicolor wagon placed on the square just looks a little out of place at this time of year. During kids fest it will more than likely look like it belongs there.

I am no expert, but having seen the original show, I think that some of us will have a different look at this show. I was thinking that the sprinkler head for this one is held in the "birdy" but after closer inspection I do not think so. I looked all over for the water source, and this is the only logical place that I have found, but it has no source leading to it, so it is out...BUT I didn't see the show. Once I do, I might be able to clear this up a little better.

[Junior]

I don't know why they chose to use this new wagon, when the old, original wagon is still on the property. The shower head, by  the way, was located on top of the old shot tower. Probably on the top of the fire tower today.

[KBCraig]

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong...

I recall the Rain Maker being a more mobile show, not attached to the shot tower, and somewhat downhill from Main Street.

I know that was the original setup, but I'm pretty sure there was an intermediate Rain Maker in other locations after the shot tower came down.

Am I wrong?

[Junior]

You are right. The Rainmaker wagon was pulled by a mule. The rainmaker drove the wagon to and from the mule barn behind the lost river. Between shows, he'd find a shady spot on the town square and visit with people. Kids liked petting the mule. Don't know why the new wagon in stationary. Is it possible that visitors don't see work animals like a mule on the streets anymore? I remember about 80 or 81 a mule at the one mule swing died during the middle of the day! (He was an old mule.) they could not bring in a front end loader to scoop him up and carry him out until the park closed. They had to just cover him up with a tarp. Let me tell ya, the passersby lodged many a complaint that day...but what can ya do about that? Probably they don't use mules on the streets to pull wagons anymore. During my time on park, they actually had a man whose job it was to deliver in a mule and wagon supplies to various shops and restaurants to "keep things in theme." My guess is they don't do that anymore, either.

[oldsdcer]

a couple of years ago  they were doing the rainmaker show on a stage by the candle shop. When the he called for rain to come  they had a man on the roof of the buliding behind us shower us with a water hose. That just did not have the same feel  that the original show had.

[Zephon]

The reason we don't see mules (or many other animals) on park like that anymore is, to my understanding, more of a safety issue than anything else.  Also, the cost of insurance is part of it, I think.  Contract acts that employ animals must carry substantial insurance.  The animals down behind the homestead are a different matter somehow, possibly because of being in a controlled environment.  At Christmas time, they do have a horse-drawn carriage that people can ride around the square.  I'm not sure, but guests may have to pay for the privilege.

I had the privilege of being the rainmaker for a couple of seasons, back in the day.  That was some of the most fun I've had on park.  When I did it, at the end of the day we parked the wagon off park in the area that the Frisco barn now sits on; remember, there was a gate just past the Flooded Mine exit, and the time clock used to be on the back side of it.  We had to then walk the mule to and from the mule barn which was and is still located out in the woods past M&C and the Roundhouse.  You went around the back side of Lake Silver and down the road that goes by the old train robbers shack.  I remember Big John dying.  His job was to power the carousel across the tracks from the Saloon.  It was a sad day.  That area was called the Deep Woods back then and covered with wood chips.

[Junior]

Thanks, Zephon, for answering the question about animals on park...now here is one more for you...back in the old days it was common for some costumed employees (including me) to wear a Confederate or Union cap as part of the costume. (I wore a Confederate cap at the Float Trip, Diving Bell and Mule Swing in 1979-1981.) Is that still OK, or is the park "politically correct" and not allow the Confederate stuff...I mean, they used to sell tons of Confederate flags in the general store, and parents bought 'em by the ton!

[rubedugans]

Thinking back to everytime I bought a cap, I was a union boy through and through! I never bought the stars and bars. I did want one of each once I started teaching history, but that seemed to be around the same time that the park stopped selling the kids caps. I do have a postcard or two that shows the general store in full confederate regalia. A large "Old Dixie" flying out front behind a street troupe gunfight scene.

[History Buff]

I know that when I worked at The Wilds, in order to have horseback riding, the insurance was $2000 per horse.  The owners decided to take a gamble and run it without insurance.  Thankfully, nothing ever happened.

The miniature burros were more my concern.  The things were mean and bit.  I always cringe when I see one of those things in a petting farm.

[KBCraig]

The reason we don't see mules (or many other animals) on park like that anymore is, to my understanding, more of a safety issue than anything else.  Also, the cost of insurance is part of it, I think.  Contract acts that employ animals must carry substantial insurance.  The animals down behind the homestead are a different matter somehow, possibly because of being in a controlled environment.

There's a big difference in the potential damage inflicted by an 80 pound goat, and that of an 800 pound mule.

A mean goat just gets taken off park with no major damage done. Even the friendliest mule can accidentally step on someone and break their foot.

[Zephon]

^That's true, KB.  And a pretty good reason not to have the bigger animals.  But, personally, having been stepped on or kicked by horses several times, and having been bitten or clawed by small critters on occasion, I think I'd prefer the damage from the larger animals.  Those puncture wounds from small critters are much more painful and last longer, at least that's my experience.  What really hurts is to be stepped on by a cow...when they twist their foot, those cloven hooves dig in much worse somehow.

Junior, to my knowledge there is no official prohibition on Confederate caps.  I don't see the Union caps either on costumed characters these days.  Oh, wait, I have seen one employee that dresses in full Union uniform on occasion...I usually see him at the RR crossing behind the Flooded Mine.  I think it's a matter of preference, and overall, the practice of wearing those, Confederate or Union, has just become a bit passe with employees.