Good Lord, it’s massive.

And believe me, the organizers of the monthlong, 1,197-performance, 340-separate-show extravaganza that is September’s Philadelphia Fringe Festival struggle with it, too — shows in 96 locations, with a record 129 new dancers, clowns and actors in the mix.

How can they attract the audience before the Fringe gets so overwhelming that people throw up their hands, sink into their sofas and reach for the remote?

This year’s strategy seems to be building connections among audience members and artists. The idea: You’re not in it alone.

“We’re looking for places to build relationships,” said Nell Bang-Jensen , the festival’s new chief executive and producing director.

One place is a new offering — Tour De Fringe . On all four festival Saturdays (Sept. 6, 13, 20

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