What is the trial like for townspeople?

The town is preparing for a financial windfall. The owners of the boarding house, eating establishments, and other businesses are getting ready for the influx of people from out of town. In reality the whole reason for the trial was to provide an economic boost for the town. John Scopes, the teacher the play is based upon, never actually spent any time in jail. The whole trial is described with a county fair type atmosphere. There are hawkers selling everything from bibles to hot dogs and Eskimo pies. The hand held fans even have an ad for the local funeral home on them. They also prepare a rousing welcome for their hero, Matthew Harrison Brady.