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Shaun Mann, David Drake, Jim Schneider, Bill Glade, and Brian Conrad staged a gunfight between lawmen and lawbreakers during the June 9 Farmer's Market. |
 David "Gabby Hayes" Drake opens fire during a gunfight near Lindy's Landing and Grill while Jim Schneider looks on. |
Shaun Mann and Brian Conrad return fire near the beach at Lindy's Landing |
Showdown on Main Street by Josh Van Dyke
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Business at the Farmer’s Market yesterday was suddenly interrupted by a gunfight that broke out between the Sheriff, his deputies, and a gang of bandits.
The robbers thought the Wauconda Chamber of Commerce would be an easy target for their thievery, but outside they were met by Sheriff Brian Conrad and his deputies. After a brief exchange both sides opened fire while the crowd looked on.
The crowd cheered as the lawmen stood victorious. They were not surprised when the lawbreaking scum got back up, since the guns were only firing blanks.
The entire event, from confrontation to victory pose, was an act put on by 5 volunteer actors. Those playing law enforcers included Brian Conrad (Krebs Custom Inc. employee.), Bill Glade (retired Deputy Chief of the Wauconda Fire Department and manager of the Farmer’s Market), and Jim Schneider (Chamber of Commerce member and Deven Ventures, Inc. employee). Those resisting arrest included Shaun Mann (Krebs Custom Inc. employee) and David “Gabby Hayes” Drake (Organic Arts in Milwaukee).
For some the event was a bit disturbing.
“I was a little bit scared,” said three-year-old Lesleigh Reimers, the granddaughter of Bill Conrad. She was worried when the actor fell over, but she recovered quickly when he got back up. She was told ahead of time that it was all just an act, and both sides of the conflict walked around and talked to people before the show.
The original members of the group are Conrad and Drake, who are National Rifle Association-certified instructors and used to teach fencing in Milwaukee. During their “off-season” from renaissance fair swordfights they began to perform cowboy-themed shows that featured fistfights in addition to shooting.
The group itself tends to change from year to year. Two of the members--Shaun Mann and Bill Glade--only joined this year, while Jim Schneider entered the world of the Wild West last year.
The group had a second gunfight at Lindy’s Landing that had a less fatal ending. After all the ammunition was spent both sides were surprised to find every shot missed, brining this exchange between Brian Conrad and David Drake.
“You want to do it again?’
“Are you crazy? One of us could get hurt doing this!”
“Then let’s get a beer!”
Despite their characters’ concerns the actors played it safe the entire time. The guns fired blanks, so there was no actual lead flying. They still made sure to take aim a good distance from each other.
Those who would like to know more about the group should contact Brian Conrad at bjconrad@earthlink.net.