I am new to the craft show business. I bought a cheap tent at Kmart and at my first show it bent a little during a wind storm. I am looking to upgrade to a Flourish/Trimline, Light Dome or a Show Off. Let me know if you have one, what you like and dislike about it. Can I use it inside without the top and hang curtains as a back drop? Should I get the extra front awning? Is the barrel top the best? Anything to help me pick a good tent.
Thank you, Debbie
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Thanks folks. Now I have good direction in buying a "proper" exhibition canopy.
If anyone knows of a used one, I'd be interested.
bobby z.
skip stang said:
Don't forget to look at the Show Off from New Venture Products located in FL,ask for the deal ,and you shall receive(no I dont rep for them,just abuse thier product and CANT wreck it.Even had lent it to a First timer and they didn't break it
bobby ziemba said:
Thank you for saving me the hassle with trying the endeavor. I guess there's no way around it, I'll have to save up for a trimline or a light dome.
deb upright said:
We bought the "endeavor" and sent it roght back. The frame bent the first time we opened it. It took four of us to open it. Its top heavy with all the framework to make the dome shape. In theory it looks like a good idea, but in real life it didn't work for us.
Hope this helps, Deb
bobby ziemba said:
Thanks for the insight Debbie, I'm looking for a canopy for my first fine art fair season and was looking at the ez up and caravan. I just can't afford a trimline at this time. Ez up makes a barrel tent similar in design to the "better" tents which I was considering, but I've heard nothing but bad things about ez up. I certainly don't want to be the cause of anyone "shuttering " if I put up an inferior canopy next to an exhibitor with a "real" tent. Has anyone had experience with the ez up "EnDeavor" barrel tent for $450? Is there a canopy out there that is stable and waterproof for a reasonable price?
bobby z.
Debbie Moyer said:
I have been through the gambit of 1 Undercover tent - lasted 5 years. 3 Ez-up in a 2 year time span - what inferior tents they are. Last year purchase a more expensive Caravan - quality much better than the Ez-ups. However, after this past summer of rain & wind, tying my tent to trees, holding it down during shows, I finally bit the bullet, as they say, & made an investment in a "Finale" - I have such a sense of relief knowing that I have a much sturdier tent for the upcoming shows beginning this Spring. I read so much on this forum about the quality and stability of the barrel shaped tents, as well as rave reviews from talking to other artists at shows that have them. Glad that I made the move. I can't wait to use it. Debbie
Thank you for saving me the hassle with trying the endeavor.
I guess there's no way around it, I'll have to save up for a trimline or a light dome.
deb upright said:
We bought the "endeavor" and sent it roght back. The frame bent the first time we opened it. It took four of us to open it. Its top heavy with all the framework to make the dome shape. In theory it looks like a good idea, but in real life it didn't work for us.
Hope this helps,
Deb
bobby ziemba said:
Thanks for the insight Debbie, I'm looking for a canopy for my first fine art fair season and was looking at the ez up and caravan. I just can't afford a trimline at this time. Ez up makes a barrel tent similar in design to the "better" tents which I was considering, but I've heard nothing but bad things about ez up. I certainly don't want to be the cause of anyone "shuttering " if I put up an inferior canopy next to an exhibitor with a "real" tent. Has anyone had experience with the ez up "EnDeavor" barrel tent for $450? Is there a canopy out there that is stable and waterproof for a reasonable price?
bobby z.
Debbie Moyer said:
I have been through the gambit of 1 Undercover tent - lasted 5 years. 3 Ez-up in a 2 year time span - what inferior tents they are. Last year purchase a more expensive Caravan - quality much better than the Ez-ups. However, after this past summer of rain & wind, tying my tent to trees, holding it down during shows, I finally bit the bullet, as they say, & made an investment in a "Finale" - I have such a sense of relief knowing that I have a much sturdier tent for the upcoming shows beginning this Spring. I read so much on this forum about the quality and stability of the barrel shaped tents, as well as rave reviews from talking to other artists at shows that have them. Glad that I made the move. I can't wait to use it. Debbie
I've had a trimline, an archtop which is a really heavy version of the trimline and now I have a light dome. I really like the light dome a lot. It's easy to put up if you're by yourself, the poles are aluminum so they don't weigh a lot and there are fewer of them. You should get the system to stablize the booth, not the rubber corners but the metal ones and if you can't afford the awning when you order it get the awning zipper put on and get the awning later when you can. A friend of mine has the finale which is the barrel top version and she's happy with that one also. More poles for the top though. And yes I use it without the roof poles with my curtains for indoor shows. Because the poles telescope if your indoor booth is 8 x 10 you can also adjust it to that size.
We bought the "endeavor" and sent it roght back. The frame bent the first time we opened it. It took four of us to open it. Its top heavy with all the framework to make the dome shape. In theory it looks like a good idea, but in real life it didn't work for us.
Hope this helps,
Deb
bobby ziemba said:
Thanks for the insight Debbie, I'm looking for a canopy for my first fine art fair season and was looking at the ez up and caravan. I just can't afford a trimline at this time. Ez up makes a barrel tent similar in design to the "better" tents which I was considering, but I've heard nothing but bad things about ez up. I certainly don't want to be the cause of anyone "shuttering " if I put up an inferior canopy next to an exhibitor with a "real" tent. Has anyone had experience with the ez up "EnDeavor" barrel tent for $450? Is there a canopy out there that is stable and waterproof for a reasonable price?
bobby z.
Debbie Moyer said:
I have been through the gambit of 1 Undercover tent - lasted 5 years. 3 Ez-up in a 2 year time span - what inferior tents they are. Last year purchase a more expensive Caravan - quality much better than the Ez-ups. However, after this past summer of rain & wind, tying my tent to trees, holding it down during shows, I finally bit the bullet, as they say, & made an investment in a "Finale" - I have such a sense of relief knowing that I have a much sturdier tent for the upcoming shows beginning this Spring. I read so much on this forum about the quality and stability of the barrel shaped tents, as well as rave reviews from talking to other artists at shows that have them. Glad that I made the move. I can't wait to use it. Debbie
Thanks for the insight Debbie,
I'm looking for a canopy for my first fine art fair season and was looking at the ez up and caravan. I just can't afford a trimline at this time.
Ez up makes a barrel tent similar in design to the "better" tents which I was considering, but I've heard nothing but bad things about ez up. I certainly don't want to be the cause of anyone "shuttering " if I put up an inferior canopy next to an exhibitor with a "real" tent. Has anyone had experience with the ez up "EnDeavor" barrel tent for $450? Is there a canopy out there that is stable and waterproof for a reasonable price?
bobby z.
Debbie Moyer said:
I have been through the gambit of 1 Undercover tent - lasted 5 years. 3 Ez-up in a 2 year time span - what inferior tents they are. Last year purchase a more expensive Caravan - quality much better than the Ez-ups. However, after this past summer of rain & wind, tying my tent to trees, holding it down during shows, I finally bit the bullet, as they say, & made an investment in a "Finale" - I have such a sense of relief knowing that I have a much sturdier tent for the upcoming shows beginning this Spring. I read so much on this forum about the quality and stability of the barrel shaped tents, as well as rave reviews from talking to other artists at shows that have them. Glad that I made the move. I can't wait to use it. Debbie
I have been through the gambit of 1 Undercover tent - lasted 5 years. 3 Ez-up in a 2 year time span - what inferior tents they are. Last year purchase a more expensive Caravan - quality much better than the Ez-ups. However, after this past summer of rain & wind, tying my tent to trees, holding it down during shows, I finally bit the bullet, as they say, & made an investment in a "Finale" - I have such a sense of relief knowing that I have a much sturdier tent for the upcoming shows beginning this Spring. I read so much on this forum about the quality and stability of the barrel shaped tents, as well as rave reviews from talking to other artists at shows that have them. Glad that I made the move. I can't wait to use it.
Debbie
RE: Diane Wright; about sides blowing in on EZ-Up.
I am looking to upgrade my tent, but I am borrowing an EZ-Up from a friend. I work in ceramics and my first show the side wall blew in with a pop during a gust of wind and knocked one piece over into another one and both broke. My husband and I own a metal fabrication shop, he took 2 pices of aluminum pipe (3/4" and 1" I believe) that slid inside each other and welded a piece of channel on the end to go over the corner support, with a pin to hold the 2 pipes together, this worked very well in tthe last show we just did that was very windy, though his arms were sore from hanging on to the top of the tent most of the day because the gusts were so strong we were afraid we were going to be airborne.
Diane Wright said:
Does anyone have any experience with mesh walls (sold by Flourish) for an EZ up. I am considering purchasing them to give my EZ up more stablility. My Ez up did well last summer - no bending - although needed more stabiliztion and weight. It did almost go airborne. I also would like to have the sidewalls look less "floppy". I sell jewelry and hated when the side walls flapped in the wind. I thought it didn't look real professional.
Does anyone have any experience with mesh walls (sold by Flourish) for an EZ up. I am considering purchasing them to give my EZ up more stablility. My Ez up did well last summer - no bending - although needed more stabiliztion and weight. It did almost go airborne. I also would like to have the sidewalls look less "floppy". I sell jewelry and hated when the side walls flapped in the wind. I thought it didn't look real professional.
I have an EZUp and have had good luck with it and extra weights. I found mine at Dick Blick Outlet in Galesburg Il. It was a return and I got it for a lot less than usual retail. They don't always have returns, so call before going. I heard that the dome tents are stronger but I saw 1 flatten right next to mine last spring. And I stayed standing.
I started out with an EZup that lasted 6yrs but it was not good for storms and wind. Not only did I have the corners weighted, I staked it at every corner plus a couple stakes inside and tied in my heavy wall system to it. Was alot of work but it survived through many shows. I bought a wonderful Lightdome and it has gone through three seasons of storms and wind no problem. I don't carry half the weight I use to and thats a good thing. The dome allows lots of bright filtered light through it too. Very happy with Lightdome canopy and wall system. Only thing I wish I did, was get all sides of roof with zippers for awnings.
Replies
If anyone knows of a used one, I'd be interested.
bobby z.
skip stang said:
I guess there's no way around it, I'll have to save up for a trimline or a light dome.
deb upright said:
Hope this helps,
Deb
bobby ziemba said:
I'm looking for a canopy for my first fine art fair season and was looking at the ez up and caravan. I just can't afford a trimline at this time.
Ez up makes a barrel tent similar in design to the "better" tents which I was considering, but I've heard nothing but bad things about ez up. I certainly don't want to be the cause of anyone "shuttering " if I put up an inferior canopy next to an exhibitor with a "real" tent. Has anyone had experience with the ez up "EnDeavor" barrel tent for $450? Is there a canopy out there that is stable and waterproof for a reasonable price?
bobby z.
Debbie Moyer said:
Debbie
I am looking to upgrade my tent, but I am borrowing an EZ-Up from a friend. I work in ceramics and my first show the side wall blew in with a pop during a gust of wind and knocked one piece over into another one and both broke. My husband and I own a metal fabrication shop, he took 2 pices of aluminum pipe (3/4" and 1" I believe) that slid inside each other and welded a piece of channel on the end to go over the corner support, with a pin to hold the 2 pipes together, this worked very well in tthe last show we just did that was very windy, though his arms were sore from hanging on to the top of the tent most of the day because the gusts were so strong we were afraid we were going to be airborne.
Diane Wright said:
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