While I only went out for Fair season THIS year I've played some outstanding still dates over the years. I've also played plenty that ...... well, to be nice , weren't. I think still dates will always have a spot in the business. Both spring and fall/winter ones. A great spring still date will give you a lift both financially and emotionally. Yeah, too many blanks early on can take a toll on you.
Parking lot dates seem to be getting a bit more scarce but playing in the lots of abandoned malls can be quite lucrative. Made 5 grand my end in a spring still date in Nashville abandoned mall with N.A.M.E. once (two weekends) . Did very well there the next year too but as always happens once the word got out we had twice or even 3 times the amount of games. Abandoned mall parking lots in Michigan and Ohio have treated me very well too.
This isn't the thread for the horror stories of some of the BAD ones so I'll refrain lol.
Anyway. As I mentioned earlier still dates of some length will always be with us I am sure. As long as there are showmen , we'll want to get out there as soon and as fast as possible.
An end, even with terror, is better than terror without end. F.Neitzsche