Itinerant glassworkers often included additional entertainments in their shows to draw in large audiences and repeat visitors. Popular options were contests, dances, music, and side acts. If a troupe was in town for a week, they might have a contest each night, and then a grand social dance on the final evening. Or voting for a contest open the whole week, with live music during their demonstrations. In this way, glassworkers were able to provide multiple nights of entertainment to sustain interest in their show.
In the 19th century, glassworkers offered beautiful pieces of glass to those voted the best dancer, the prettiest lady, the homeliest gentleman, the most beautiful baby, or the person with the best conundrum. Live music and dancing were also a common feature at that time; some troupes even traveled with their own musicians. Side acts do not seem to have been used as frequently, but examples of singers, actors, performing animal troupes, and even a glass eater make appearances on several advertisements from the late 19th century and early 20th century.
