Anyone heard of this one? I have one report that said it was a dog several years ago. It's a small show, about 90-100 artists, no jury fee and $110 booth fee for a 10x15 space. I just wish I knew if that was 10 wide or 15 wide, or if they expect 10x10 tents only. It looks like you have to cart in from a central unloading point. That's all I know about it.
The date was open, the price was cheap, and I can make it there and back on just a little over a tank of gas from NE Indianapolis. There's nothing about it on Art Fair Source Book. I figure it's either a hidden gem or an absolute stinker, and it can't be any worse than Long Grove.
Replies
It isn't as good as it used to be. There was nice art there but nothing outstanding. Nothing really awful either. Nothing that would make me go out in the rain, as Linnea said.
Back before Long Grove became so bad, they were both very nice shows, now, not so much.
Hi, Robert:
I did it for years. But I have not been back in perhaps 8 years. The biggest thing affecting sales there is the weather. If it rains, Schaumburg customers just don’t come out. Memorial Day weekend is rainy more often than not, which is why I eventually gave up on it. There is another very large show there in the fall, Septemberfest (which I tried twice), that attracts a lot more people, who are motivated to shop in the rain, but those only buy country craft. There seemed to be NO overlap at all of customers.
It’s been long enough since I did it, that I can’t recall whether price point made a difference. Schaumburg is a shoppers paradise, with massive malls. People who live in the area are not “hungry” for anything. Lots of expensive newer housing, so you’d think they would have wall space.
I’ve done Long Grove too. Once. I’d say it’s much better than Long Grove, but then, almost anything would be.
I have had average to very good shows there, and washouts. Rain: below my minimum to return. Good weather: 8 times that. All entirely dependent on the weather. Every now and then I consider going back, and just canceling if the weather report is uniformly bad. But that’s just not me. As the years have gone by, too, my display has gotten more and more complicated, and having to dolly more than 3 loads becomes a great disincentive. If I could drive up to load, I’d still be doing the show, as it’s close for me, and there’s essentially nothing else that weekend that I can get into.
The Arts Center that runs it is very helpful and supportive. They really want their show to succeed, but they can’t make people come out in the rain. Local government did come out religiously to support the show, and every year the Mayor and his wife greeted every artist in their booths, and bought, too.
About loading: it is all dolly to space. There are different zones depending on booth location. Booths flank a meandering sidewalk that goes through the large park. At the north end of the grounds, I can’t recall if there is sidewalk there, or just open grass.
For most of the booth areas, loading is from internal streets in the municipal / arts center complex, dollying over grass or along sidewalks to location. Booths are generously spaced, but may be tighter near the Arts Center, as there are small trees that limit placement. Since they flank the sidewalk, they are completely open in the back. Some artists therefore have extensions to their canopies in the back.
8,000 attendance is optimistic, on a weekend of perfect weather. 5,000 is more my estimate. Less if it rains. I never felt it was advertised well, the art center is on a shoestring budget. But things may have changed now, with social media.
I agree, it does not sound bad. If I was not already accepted to the Barrington Art Festival that same weekend I would apply. Schaumberg is a nice area also.
Hi Robert,
Sunshine Artist has this. Good luck
75% returning doesn't sound bad unless they're all locals. Not a whole lot of applications though. This does answer which way the booths are oriented, so it looks like both sides can be rolled up with 5 feet clearance between tents.