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People are so quick to talk about puppets. Some think that Nick and his crew are walking around with diamond Rolex’s on, BUT, the fact is- they don’t reap any Kardashian perks from their craft or event-they do it for the love of the people.

I could never be on the stage on my own. But, puppets can say things that humans can’t say– so here are the facts Jack! As we walked around the Carleton Place Farmer’s Market Saturday Nick filled me in on things I had no idea about.

Nick told me that last year, the money PuppetsUp! brought in from selling tickets to the Festival, did NOT cover the direct costs of bringing the amazing talent they showcased in Almonte. Now if you have ever been to PuppetsUp! you know the quality of what I am speaking about.

That’s right…Nick said they brought in just over $57,000 in ticket sales to the festival and they spent almost $70,000 to bring first class talent from around the world to Almonte!

This doesn’t include the money they spent locally on promotion, on expenses to create the 5 additional theatre venues out of tents, or the administration that takes place year-round.

If all the “economists” were laid end to end, they’d never reach a conclusion-but the puppets know you have to spend money to make something fantastic happen like PuppetsUp!

To keep the PuppetsUp! prices reasonable and family-friendly, they rely heavily on the support of community, money from both from individual donors, and corporate sponsorship. They can’t exist without the amazing volunteers who give their time and their talents. They are VERY appreciative of that support and they really and truly could NOT hold the Festival without them.

As Nick said, “We are nobody’s puppet without them”!

Once you hand someone the strings they become narrators of life so–always be yourself– gracious, giving and wonderful like Nick and the PuppetsUp! gang! Thank you to all of the PuppetsUp! crew for all you do.