My first post here!
I've been accepted for the Ocala Arts Festival in Ocala, FL. Anyone ever done this one? There's another one that weekend that I've been accepted for - Hyde Park in Tampa - which I've done before and had moderate success with. Not sure which to go with -
Angie
Replies
Well, I'm not much help here, I've done lousy at both. You should verify what I say because I haven't done either one since 08 but I believe Ocala will give you more space and an easier Friday setup. It is a pretty large show with a weird layout. I suggest you put something recognizable on your tent so that you can find it on Sat. and Sun. morning. The artist dinner at Ocala is usually amazing.
The Ocala area is like a split personality. There are some very rich people there (mostly horse people) and some very poor people there. There doesn't appear to be much in the middle.
I thought the same about the Ocala area folks. Think I'll pass for this year. Thanks!
Ocala is moving this year from the government complex - which is like a big park - to downtown Ocala. Don't know what difference that might make.
Hi -- Ocala is competing this year with the Micanopy Art Fair in Gainesville, about 30 miles away. Micanopy and the Gainesville fair both draw packed crowds of loyal regulars, and the art show visitors I talked to indicated that they didn't even know there WAS an Ocala show. Since Ocala and Micanopy coincide this year, I would think about asking the promoter about whether there has been advertising for the University/Gainesville/Santa Fe CC crowd that there is another fair going on that patrons can check out. The crowds at Micanopy and Gainesville-based fairs definitely spend money, but I think it would be important not to just rely on Ocala folks. The Gainesville Sun (newpaper) always does a big spread on the art fairs; so that might help. Good luck!
Thanks - great to know!