[tim]

I think what underlied the concern I originally expressed was that when a serious inquiry comes in concerning your clowning, you have the option of weeding out the pranksters from the genuine job offers and declining (or quoting exhorbitant rates) to anyone who isn't playing on the level. You'll seperate the wheat from the chaff in this way. If, however, you are offering a "free drawing" sort of thing then anyone can (and will) enter and could win. Now we have a different situation. The winning contestant may well be a regular mom who wants to book a party. It may be a corporate type client who could see some use for a clown. All fair and well so far. But it could also be a nutjob who hates clowns or some screwball 20 somethings who figure, "Hey, we won! She has a contractual obligation to provide our prize. Let's take advantage of the opportunity and turn the tables on the clown!" My point was that when someone is paying for something, they will respect it more and likely take it seriously. If they are getting it for free, however, this may not be the situation. My recommendation, then, was that (even with a "free" party giveaway) a nominal charge (say $20 or something) be added as some sort of transportation cost or what have you (maybe a refundable on the day of the show date confirmation deposit fee?), just to see to it that the winners really want a clown for the right reasons. Or, even more minimally, have a clause on the contest documentation which allows you the legal right to decline your services to the winner for some good reason.