D&D 5E - D&D 5E Ideas with running a Faire/Carnival scenario?

We had a search and rescue adventure, with the fair as the terrain.

The punters were packed in, forming difficult terrain. The area nearer the designated beer tent presented the risk of a punch up and the chance of winning gold through card games.

The big top featured lots of NPC carnies, hawking their wares, blowing fire and otherwise providing distractions for those stuck in the long ques to the main event itself. It was also the site closest to the guard tent. Overall, this area provided less cover but had many a distracted punter for thievery, with the consideration that the guards could respond quickly here if caught.

The target itself was located in the Freaks area, where pockets of punters clustered around displays and guards watched on, bored and underpaid.

There was also an area somewhat removed from the fair area, where the Ringmaster's airship was anchored, along with the mercenary camp. Said mercs were employed after the Ringmaster caught wind of some near-do-wells planning to break out his prize freak (kobold, re-fluffed as a Dragonkin sub species).

So with these fixed terrain elements, we then introduced dynamic elements. We had bored underpaid Fair Guards, who were big, strong but generally clueless. They'd give chace but could be lost relatively easily and represented a low level threat for consideration. Fewer in number and scattered around the fair were also well trained, keen eyed mercs, working in pairs, who would raise the alarm and attempt to coordinate the guards if a threat presented. For the most part, characters would be wary of the guards while actively trying to avoid the mercs.

All of this was set within clearings within a forested area, so there was plenty of opportunity to hide and regroup, the forests themselves did have bored guards wandering through it/up to mischief seeded within them.

There was also dragon-themed ice-cream, face painting and fire breathing.

Session went really well, played like a heist. I made sure to make design the event as a terrain with lots of fair-themed features, rather than a series of mini-games that the players could engage with. In my experience, it's often better to RP these unless the outcome really is that important to advancing the campaign.

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