Show questions for NC, VA, and MD.

Well the home inspection went well so barring any mortgage problems I will be moving to Louisa, Virginia in March. I've missed most of the application deadlines so I'll most likely be taking some time off until Spring 2012 but I am trying to put together a few shows if I can.

Questions:

I've noticed there are several Pargon shows close to me. I've read the reviews on this site and except for the Washington show I haven't found anything on the shows I'm looking at which would be Fairfax, Gaithersburg, and Frederick. The reviews on the Washington show kind of scare me away from this promoter. Was Washington an aberation or do I need to steer clear of Paragon.

Blowing Rock, NC - I've heard good things about these shows but are they worth the 5.5 hour drive and the extreme hassle of setting up and breaking down all in one day? I'm looking at the October show simply because I would like to spend some time in that area in October. Are there any other good months? I have to get cracking on this one because apps close on 12/31.

Are there any other shows for the summer of 2011 with applications still open that are worth applying to? I'm applying to Crozet, not because I expect much, but it is very close to me and will help get my name out. I'm going to call Howard Alan but I expect the Alexandria show is already closed to photograpy.

Alison, Living next to Blowing Rock with a 5 minute drive is the main reason we are trying this year. The show can do well but being a one day show, 5.5 hrs could be a risk. We only applied to July Aug and September because that is the time when most of the out of town residents are here.

Having done Stockley, yes, a lot of great people and the crowds are there.

You should look in to Francisco's Farm, Roanoke Side Walk and Boston Mills. These are all pretty close.

I just got an email from a friend who does Crozet and confirms what Holly has added so that's on our list too.

As for Paragon, we did the Washington show only, but I have talked to many hoping that it was a fluke. Sorry to say we wont do any more.

Port Warwick in Va is another good show we will try this year.

Hope this helps. There are a lot of shows locally in NC and VA that don't use Zapp so keep looking and asking. Always glad to help.

Replies

Dave Hinde May 14, 2011 at 10:20pm

There are several shows in the Hampton Roads part of Virginia, a little over 2 hours from you. The 49th Ocean View Art Show is October 8 & 9, and the fall Stockley Gardens Show is the following weekend. Both are in Norfolk. Registration may have closed already, but in August there's the Portsmouth Seawall Festival, always a good show and very well run. I'd email them to see if there are still openings. I think the same weekend as the Ocean View Show is a show in Wayneboro, VA, not too far from you. If that's not closed, it should be a good show for you. If you need any in depth information about any of the Hampton Roads shows, feel free to contact me.
k3t0fksqoojc May 11, 2011 at 8:56am

You might want to try Arts on the Avenue in Alexandria a one day show the first of October (don't think it has closed), and the Burke Show in Burke Va which is a two day show in September. I did both last year and did quite well. You might also investigate the Virginia Beach Neptune Fest the last weekend in September. It doesn't close until July. Just a few thoughts for you.
- Geoff Coe > k3t0fksqoojc May 11, 2011 at 9:17am
  
  I visited the Neptune Fest site; thanks, didn't know about this one. I don't see any "artist" information, though...does one apply using the "Vendor/non-food" application?
  - Ruth Jellema > Geoff Coe May 14, 2011 at 9:47am
    
    Neptune Festival is on ZAPP.
  - Larry Berman > Geoff Coe May 11, 2011 at 9:22am
    
    My take on it and I haven't done it for almost 20 years. The Neptune Festival is the September version of the Boardwalk Art Show but it's the end of the tourist season so more locals attend. They get good traffic but the sales aren't as good as the June show, at least for higher end work.
    
    It's on ZAPP.
    
    Larry Berman
    http://BermanGraphics.com
    412-401-8100
    - Dave Hinde > Larry Berman May 14, 2011 at 10:10pm
      
      The Neptune Festival also has a higher ratio of non-artist vendors than the Boardwalk Art Show. Everything from home improvement to food to souvenir and novelty vendors. They do get good traffic with lot's of people coming into town to enjoy the lower hotel room rates.
Andrea Robinson May 10, 2011 at 3:42pm

As a former resident of Virginia Beach, I always enjoyed the boardwalk shows as a shopper. The weather will be challenging, but the crowds (as of 8 years ago before I moved away) were always thick. The quality of artists was consistently good. Neptune Festival was good business for the Atlantic Ave shop owners, too. Locals are giddy to be taking their beach back.

I have no idea how the show is from the vendor perspective, but I watched artists come back year after year over the course of 10 years and that means a little something. Oceanfront hotels will be expensive, but prices get more reasonable once you move inland past First Colonial Rd.
Alison Thomas December 21, 2010 at 10:47am

That is good news about Arts in the Park. It was on my list of possiblilities. I'm trying to call but does anyone know if security is provided at the show overnight? Do people leave their work in the booth on Saturday night? I've added Stockley to my list as well. Thanks Holly!
- Gordon Ekback > Alison Thomas December 21, 2010 at 11:19am
  
  Alison, Living next to Blowing Rock with a 5 minute drive is the main reason we are trying this year. The show can do well but being a one day show, 5.5 hrs could be a risk. We only applied to July Aug and September because that is the time when most of the out of town residents are here.
  
  Having done Stockley, yes, a lot of great people and the crowds are there.
  
  You should look in to Francisco's Farm, Roanoke Side Walk and Boston Mills. These are all pretty close.
  
  I just got an email from a friend who does Crozet and confirms what Holly has added so that's on our list too.
  
  As for Paragon, we did the Washington show only, but I have talked to many hoping that it was a fluke. Sorry to say we wont do any more.
  
  Port Warwick in Va is another good show we will try this year.
  
  Hope this helps. There are a lot of shows locally in NC and VA that don't use Zapp so keep looking and asking. Always glad to help.
  - k3t0fksqoojc > Gordon Ekback March 16, 2011 at 9:02am
    
    Alison. I live not to far from you and would be glad to share my list of events. Have been doing shows for 9 years now. There are some fall shows you can still get into. Send me an email if you like and I'll give you my phone number. I'm in Gum Spring, VA and do photography. My email is sebock@Indigomarketing.com. Love to share my show information as I have done as many as 25 a year. Susan

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