Like the characters of old, Larry Talvy swooped down on the Huckleberry Players while they were doing their daily 4:30 walk down. They did not have a permit to “perform” using a rarely invoked 1973 town ordinance.
Mayor Dusty Escapule says that there have been “skirmishes” between the different groups of reenactors, and things could get out of hand; the old ‘someone could get hurt’ line. Escapule’s new orders reversed a long-standing ruling from the previous mayor and city council who agreed with the Huckleberry Players, that they were good for business. So good, in fact, they could wonder around town, in character, and not require a permit.
Marshal Talvy jumped in, saying the Huckleberry Players brought nothing but chaos to Allen Street. Nora Corrafa, owner of Six Gun City (and the subject of Part IV) also thinks the Huckleberry Players should be allowed to perform even though they are competition for her business.
It now appears that none of the groups in Tombstone have been allowed to have a permit to perform. Things are so heated that residents who walk down the streets in Wild West costume are subject to arrest. The fine is $5,000 and six months in jail - per incident. Thus far, only the non-profit groups have been given permits.
The Huckleberry Players still do their gig at the OK Corral, but are no longer allowed to walk the streets of Tombstone in “authentic” costume. The Six Gun City players have yet to receive a permit for their show, thus seriously damaging Michael Corrafa’s business, but that’s tomorrow’s story.
Things are so bad, when the venerable magazine Arizona Highways was in town photographing the Huckleberry Players, Talvy accosted them, and tried to cite them. He eventually backed down, but four members of the group, including a friend, Tim Fattig, now face up to two years in jail. The irony here is that Fattig, an author, is one of the leading authorities on the life of Wyatt Earp (as is yours truly).
Article comments
1 - Jordan Richardson
Did you know in Tombstone you can now be arrested for walking down the street dressed like a cowboy and subjected to anywhere from a $600-5,000 fine and up to two years in jail?
There goes my weekend!
2 - Joanne Huspek
Damn interesting place SJ. Beats Detroit all to hell.