Veterans event debuts in Sugar Loaf
The human cannonball was the headline attraction at the first Savage Wonder Festival. Chris Meyer of Cornwall organized the event at the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center to showcase the artistic talents of veterans.
May 29 was a busy day in Sugar Loaf. There was a street fair in addition to the festival. As a result, vehicles were kept off the main thoroughfare. Many festival-goers had to walk through the entire community to reach their destination.
Once they got there, they realized the Performing Arts Center is more than a playhouse. There are well-manicured lawns on two sides of the central building.
In the front were several vendors who put up tents for the day. On the right, as you faced the building was a grassy slope with an outdoor stage and a lake behind it.
The audience didn’t have to wait long to see the cannonball. He appeared after Mr. Meyer introduced the day’s activities and a guest artist led the singing of two patriotic songs. Using a microphone, David Smith Jr. revealed that he had learned his trade from his father and the two of them had held their share of Guinness World Records.
The human cannonball was due to fly over the stage, reach a height of 70 feet, and land in a net that was supported by four poles. The flight, while spectacular, would not last very long. So Mr. Smith made the most of the introduction.
He walked to the net and shook the poles to make sure they were sturdy. Then, he mounted the barrel of the cannon and walked to the edge as it was tilted skyward. He waved to the audience and then lowered himself into the chute. The crowd was asked to join the countdown from 10.
At zero, there was a loud pop and Mr. Smith went soaring through the atmosphere. Less than a minute later, he was back on the ground as spectators rushed up to take his picture. He was due to make a second flight later in the day.
A series of bands took over the stage, some playing original compositions. There was artwork displayed inside and a promise of a few theatrical productions.
A line formed in front of a food truck. “Are you military?” the server asked each customer. “I was a long time ago,” one of them replied.
“That’s good enough,” the server smiled, while applying a discount to the order. A couple on the line had flown in from Seattle and had spent the previous day sightseeing in New York City. They were due to be the final act before the show closed at 10 p.m.
Mr. Meyer hopes the festival will be an annual event and supplement the work of the VetRep Theater.
