I wasted a good worry.
The tent’s heat is wonderful! (…if I do say so myself; I bought a catalytic heater.) The noise was much less than I remembered. The guy with the shotgun doesn’t seem to be there this year. I stood outside my booth, demonstrated a little sphereplay, and chatted with folks. I had a pretty decent time. The visitors seemed happy and cheerful (or should that be fearful?) and told me they had a good time.
Not many readings, though. Oh well, it was only the first day.