Shows keep getting smaller!

[Steamchick]

I do think there is a Social change that is affecting all these things, not just shows, but "actual bodies doing stuff". So "audiences" are reducing (dying mostly...) as well as participants, leaving a smaller market for tool and machine sales, less money everywhere, and fewer who are even interested in seeing "stuff". - "If it isn't on Telly, it isn't worth wasting time with..." is a common problem.
No longer do we teach things in schools so the young kids get their hands dirty - even Cooking was deemed too dangerous to teach kids a couple f decades ago! - So there are 1 or 2 generations who cannot cook a meal!
So, mending a button off a shirt (I had to learn to get a sewing badge when I was 8 years old in the Cub Scouts), cooking Egg, bacon, fried bread, toast and a sausage (for the cooking badge, which wasn't possible until I was tall enough to stand at the cooker at 10!) are not skills that half the population of the UK can do.
As to machining... using a hacksaw and file or hammer and chisel to shape wood or metal... ? No way are young folk taught those dangerous tasks! - But when they are past 18 (and have their own place?) they can go to B & Q and buy power tools that can rip an arm off and use them without any tuition...
So if they don't know these things when young, VERY few will be interested later in life, so we are a dying breed.
I find that explaining "how an engine works" or "what the boiler does" is a foreign language to most who visit the local club tent on our open days.... The usual response (from people in their 40s or younger) is "Aah..., yes, My Grandfather did something like that, but he is long dead.". So we have already "lost" half the population as the people who could carry-on doing "our hobbies".
Sad, but that is the world as I see it.
There are more than a generation who cannot comprehend life without a mobile phone, or computer, TV, Cars, refrigerators, Central heating, pre-made meals, etc.
I heard of a lad (from work) with Indian parents, who went to India to meet all his relatives. He nearly had a breakdown because they only had electricity for 3 or 4 hours a day, mobile phones for an hour or so and internet for the same. As for running water, sewage management, hygiene, food, etc. - they sent him home after 2 weeks because he was ill with the stress...
But in India and other countries they do have wood and metal working skills and training of the young...
K2

 

[Richard Hed]

Since this thread has been bumped.....

Regarding the high costs of shows for viewers and participants: Another factor is the cost of liability insurance. Not only have engine, tractor, aircraft, and car events diminished, but town celebrations and festivals are going away because insurers and organizers are seeing chances for injury all over the place. I also think the reports of violence around the world have something to do with it.

Perhaps the idea of a virtual show has merit, but maybe YouTube and forums like this one are also stealing the thunder.

The only other thing I can say (again) is that perhaps reaching out to other, similar hobbies and co-exhibiting from time to time might help.

Meanwhile: Attend some of the local events that are a little off-interest. Make yourself available as a source of knowledge to young people interested in learning outside of school . Volunteer to help stage local events. Attend things like local school events, Go see what Scouts, 4-H, and FFA kids are displaying (You might be surprised.)

--ShopShoe (Decades-ago historical film restorer and presenter, Former High-School History Day and K-12 Technology Fair Volunteer organizer and judge. Former community theatre stagecraft flunkey and volunteer archivist for historical artifacts.)

Yes, something similar, I heard on NPR that people don't go to city league sports events. To me, city league is actually more interesting than major league where it's all about advertising and $$. I would love to go see the minor leagues--more like amateur than professional. Professional, I simply am not interested in it. Amateur, it is refreshing to see the mistakes and non-perfect playing but good sportsmanship and just plain fun.

 

[Richard Hed]

I do think there is a Social change that is affecting all these things, not just shows, but "actual bodies doing stuff". So "audiences" are reducing (dying mostly...) as well as participants, leaving a smaller market for tool and machine sales, less money everywhere, and fewer who are even interested in seeing "stuff". - "If it isn't on Telly, it isn't worth wasting time with..." is a common problem.
No longer do we teach things in schools so the young kids get their hands dirty - even Cooking was deemed too dangerous to teach kids a couple f decades ago! - So there are 1 or 2 generations who cannot cook a meal!
So, mending a button off a shirt (I had to learn to get a sewing badge when I was 8 years old in the Cub Scouts), cooking Egg, bacon, fried bread, toast and a sausage (for the cooking badge, which wasn't possible until I was tall enough to stand at the cooker at 10!) are not skills that half the population of the UK can do.
As to machining... using a hacksaw and file or hammer and chisel to shape wood or metal... ? No way are young folk taught those dangerous tasks! - But when they are past 18 (and have their own place?) they can go to B & Q and buy power tools that can rip an arm off and use them without any tuition...
So if they don't know these things when young, VERY few will be interested later in life, so we are a dying breed.
I find that explaining "how an engine works" or "what the boiler does" is a foreign language to most who visit the local club tent on our open days.... The usual response (from people in their 40s or younger) is "Aah..., yes, My Grandfather did something like that, but he is long dead.". So we have already "lost" half the population as the people who could carry-on doing "our hobbies".
Sad, but that is the world as I see it.
There are more than a generation who cannot comprehend life without a mobile phone, or computer, TV, Cars, refrigerators, Central heating, pre-made meals, etc.
I heard of a lad (from work) with Indian parents, who went to India to meet all his relatives. He nearly had a breakdown because they only had electricity for 3 or 4 hours a day, mobile phones for an hour or so and internet for the same. As for running water, sewage management, hygiene, food, etc. - they sent him home after 2 weeks because he was ill with the stress...
But in India and other countries they do have wood and metal working skills and training of the young...
K2

I call that trend/system "pseudo-liberalism"--and I am a LIBERAL but I absolutely hate the pseudos.

 

[Steamchick]

Hi Richard,
I Agree with you about local sport versus "top" teams.
My first love : Wigan Rugby league:
https://www.superleague.co.uk/article/4693/2024-season-review-wigan-warriors
This season they won EVERYTHING! - Brilliant work by all. Loved it! - Even beat the best Australian team at the "world club challenge" - between the antipodean Champions
My local "fun" team - Newcastle Thunder.
https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/third-division-2024/newcastle-thunder/summary.html
Last season, after being abandoned by their previous owner (he was going bust with costs of teams) they started afresh - at the bottom, and nearly won a game, but really lost every game. Some by over 100 points. But they are improving. A joy to watch when they "get it right" and score! - equally if the defend and prevent a score by the opposition. Fun and respect at the end of the game. In cup games they have played against professional teams, but as amateurs, Thunder have a practice session twice a week (2 hours each). This season, they often had to train in the local park, because of a shortage of available pitches... But Win or lose (Maybe next season we'll see a win): We have watched professionals, and end-of-career Top-flight players congratulating new college lads for "that tackle" - or "break" or whatever.
Keeps me out of the workshop on match days...
K2

 

[stevehuckss396]

"Perhaps the idea of a virtual show has merit, but maybe YouTube and forums like this one are also stealing the thunder."

I think this may have have something to do with it. Used to be you would go to the show to see progress on builds of others and see what is new as far as projects and kits. Now you just fire up the computer and check in. No need for the shows anymore. Maybe thats why my interest in the hobby is declining. For me I liked looking forward to going to the arenas and talking to the crowd. At 9am I would stand up to talk to someone and in a flash it was 2pm and my voice was gone. Logging onto the forums just isnt the same. I havent even worked on an engine in close to 2 years. Maybe I will again in the future but who knows. The best part of this great hobby is the personal interaction and its fading into the sunset. Posting on the forums just isn't the same.

 

[GreenTwin]

Posting on the forums just isn't the same.

But affordable.
.

 

[SmithDoor]

But affordable.
.

The high rent is one of problem for shops and shows.

In the 1960's and 1970’s where I live there was over 20 different hobby shops not on same hobby. Like models build, rocks hounds, sewing, jewelry, working clay. Stain glass and list goes on. Wr even had car and board games shops.
Today in Fresno and Clovis a total 5 big box hobby 3 different companies. Including county population about one million.
Back 1960's population less that 250,000.
The few I knew said the biggest problem was rent when tried to sell business. The was told rent in 2020 for retail was $1.60 per square foot. The rent in 2009 was 1.25 per square foot.
A 2,000 square feet in 2020 per month cost $3,200 a month. Hard to say in business needing a profit of $3,200 a month just to keep the doors open plus the power company.
The mail order is doing a little better.

I was told a few in LA moved to Midwest in to barns very low rent and the cost of labor is less than haft of California. I think next year minimum in California is $17.00 ,per hour. Some in Midwest state is around $7.35 per hour.

All cost is problems we see today for hobbies and stores.
The stores help promote the hobby. No stores no or reduced hobby

Dave

 

[Richard Hed]

Hi Richard,
I Agree with you about local sport versus "top" teams.
My first love : Wigan Rugby league:
https://www.superleague.co.uk/article/4693/2024-season-review-wigan-warriors
This season they won EVERYTHING! - Brilliant work by all. Loved it! - Even beat the best Australian team at the "world club challenge" - between the antipodean Champions
My local "fun" team - Newcastle Thunder.
https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/third-division-2024/newcastle-thunder/summary.html
Last season, after being abandoned by their previous owner (he was going bust with costs of teams) they started afresh - at the bottom, and nearly won a game, but really lost every game. Some by over 100 points. But they are improving. A joy to watch when they "get it right" and score! - equally if the defend and prevent a score by the opposition. Fun and respect at the end of the game. In cup games they have played against professional teams, but as amateurs, Thunder have a practice session twice a week (2 hours each). This season, they often had to train in the local park, because of a shortage of available pitches... But Win or lose (Maybe next season we'll see a win): We have watched professionals, and end-of-career Top-flight players congratulating new college lads for "that tackle" - or "break" or whatever.
Keeps me out of the workshop on match days...
K2

I had a friend from Vancouver (BC, there's also one in the Soviet), whom I met in Philippines. He was an avid watcher of "Football". But let me explain. Most peeps have no idea that Austrailian football is sort of like American football, but quite different. It's called Football Auzzy Rules. The teams have 17 players and they run approx. 15 miles during a day. They can throw the ball back and forth. It is REALLY fun to watch. I used to watch American Football but quite frankly I grew bored with it. But this Ozzy Rules, there isn't a boring moment.

So an American with a Friend from BC Vancouver, meets the fellow in the Philippines and watches Ozzy Rules football. LOL

 

[Richard Hed]

I had a friend from Vancouver (BC, there's also one in the Soviet), whom I met in Philippines. He was an avid watcher of "Football". But let me explain. Most peeps have no idea that Austrailian football is sort of like American football, but quite different. It's called Football Auzzy Rules. The teams have 17 players and they run approx. 15 miles during a day. They can throw the ball back and forth. It is REALLY fun to watch. I used to watch American Football but quite frankly I grew bored with it. But this Ozzy Rules, there isn't a boring moment.

So an American with a Friend from BC Vancouver, meets the fellow in the Philippines and watches Ozzy Rules football. LOL

K2, Is that your team, Newcastle Thunders?

 

[Richard Hed]

The high rent is one of problem for shops and shows.

In the 1960's and 1970’s where I live there was over 20 different hobby shops not on same hobby. Like models build, rocks hounds, sewing, jewelry, working clay. Stain glass and list goes on. Wr even had car and board games shops.
Today in Fresno and Clovis a total 5 big box hobby 3 different companies. Including county population about one million.
Back 1960's population less that 250,000.
The few I knew said the biggest problem was rent when tried to sell business. The was told rent in 2020 for retail was $1.60 per square foot. The rent in 2009 was 1.25 per square foot.
A 2,000 square feet in 2020 per month cost $3,200 a month. Hard to say in business needing a profit of $3,200 a month just to keep the doors open plus the power company.
The mail order is doing a little better.

I was told a few in LA moved to Midwest in to barns very low rent and the cost of labor is less than haft of California. I think next year minimum in California is $17.00 ,per hour. Some in Midwest state is around $7.35 per hour.

All cost is problems we see today for hobbies and stores.
The stores help promote the hobby. No stores no or reduced hobby

Dave

I'm temporarily in Henderson, NV, on the border of Las Vegas. The people here are complaining that certain groups are buying all the properties in order to monopolize the rents. I believe it is true. There just isn't that much building going on around here. HOwever, in Moses Lake, SoW (Soviet of Washington), building is going on as fast as builders can run a nail gun and the rents are still high, but nowhere near the cost of what's here in Henderson. I can't imagine southern California. I meet lots of peeps here in Henderson that moved out of Cal because of the problems caused by the density. Also in the Soviet lots of Cals.