Performer returns with his Old-Time Medicine Show

Dan Barth has been doing his Old-Time Medicine Show for 37 years.

Julie Farris, executive director of Pride of the Fox Inc., saw one of his shows last year, prompting her to invite him to perform at this year's Pride of the Fox Riverfest.

“It is just such a fun show,” Farris said. “It's definitely for family entertainment.”

Barth said he performed at the festival “quite some many years ago,” but he is excited to return.

“We really look forward to coming back,” Barth said. “We have a lot of friends that live in that area. We really, really appreciate coming back.”

He said what makes him want to return is the whole venue and audience at the festival, saying “it is one of the better festivals in the country.”

Barth is performing his “Americana on Tour” done on an antique show wagon. It includes magic, ventriloquism and audience participation.

Barth said the show is based on a medicine show from the early 1900s. He learned from original performers, making his show unique.

“It was like a circus. They had popcorn and lemonade,” Barth said of old medicine shows. “It was a free show, ‘cause back then it was a world without television and radio. It was the biggest thing that came to town.”

The Old-Time Medicine Show was recorded by the Smithsonian Institution in 1980. Barth has also been featured on the National PBS television series “Folk Stories.”

The event will occur four times daily starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the Lincoln Park venue.

For a complete schedule, see prideofthefox.com.