Letter: When Things Aren't What They Seem

A night out in Owen Sound takes an unexpected turn in this letter from Lloyd Lewis, who made one small mix-up that led to a memorable surprise.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

I can sometimes be incredibly impetuous, gullible and/or generally slow to catch on. It is usually associated when alcohol has been consumed and I’m in a buoyed up state of enthusiasm. One recent night was such the case.

Enjoying a slight alcoholic buzz and tucking into our take away Indian meal, my wife said, “I’m surprised you aren’t going to the Banff Paddling Festival tonight at the Roxy. In fact, why don’t you leave in the next 15 minutes? You can still make it.”

With her support, I put on my best outdoor wool sweater and raced down, hoping I could still get tickets from the front booth.

It’s amazing, in hindsight, how many clues were staring me in the face, that something was wrong, and yet I never twigged till the last moment.

Can I still get a ticket? I asked at the Roxy office.

“Yes we have one ticket remaining up front, in the middle of the 3rd row.”

Wow, I didn’t think it would be so popular.

“$45” she said.

Geez… it’s gone up in price, I thought. Oh well, I’m here now.

I wandered into the lobby with only 8 minutes before the festival was to start. I was surprised that I didn’t recognize anybody, and how many were still drinking at the bar.

“Excuse me, excuse me,” as I shuffled past others in my 3rd row aisle. Looking around, I noticed a lot of older folks in t-shirts, some men with limp, long and grey scraggly hair or beards.

Perhaps they are — like me — old school outdoor folk, I thought.

On stage, I was surprised to see a bank of large Marshall speakers, a drum set and a big screen at the back, supposedly for our festival movies.

I convinced myself that they were just setting up for tomorrow’s concert.

In the audience, 20% were wearing Red Devil horns, which I did find strange. And, with that, a woman sat next to me bearing her horns.

“Excuse me, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but why are you wearing horns?”

With a look of slight surprise, she stated, “For the concert, of course.”

“What concert?!” I asked with a confused look.

“You know… The Hells Bells show! The AC/ DC cover band tonight.”

“What! This isn’t the Banff Paddling Festival?”

With that, she broke into hysterical laughter. Moments later, the lights dimmed, cannons fired out dry ice smoke, and the loud bells tolled. Five aged fellas jumped onto the stage, one wearing a school boy outfit complete with shorts, beanie hat and tie.

This was no Banff Paddling Festival… it was better. Two hours of ear splitting rock hits, punching the sky with a devil hand symbol, and still wearing a bulky outdoor woollen sweater.

Apparently, the Banff Paddling Festival was the night before.

Sincerely,

Lloyd Lewis
Owen Sound

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Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of The Owen Sound Current and its editor or publisher.