Has anyone done this festival? The show is only five or six years old, and although it used to be run by By Hand productions, it appears it is being run by someone new this year.
Whether it is because of the change in organizers, or somehting else, they seem to be running very late in getting the applications set up and dates announced. (This does make me a bit nervous to apply.)
So, anyone had any experience with this show in the past?
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I did the show two years in a row. I'm not going back, sales were too low. Jay is a nice guy, the location is nice, but the buyers weren't buying and there was a high number of newbies to the show each year. Here's my report from last year, http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/riverfront-art-festiv....
I did see where someone else owns the show now, but I'm not going to tempt the fates again. I would have a hard time justifying going back. The Friday night showing was a complete waste of time, and I could saved lodging by driving in early and setting up on Saturday morning. Friday and Saturday went to around 10:00PM, which makes for a long day. Maybe if the show improves, I might try it again but not right now.
Thanks for your rundown of last year's show. I had thought about applying for last year, and ended up skipping on it. It's too bad that the crowds weren't better. I think that the show lacked enough publicity. I asked around (family, friends, customers) and no one had heard of show, despite it being around for five or six years, and we all live in town - it you can't get the townies, you aren't marketing enough!
Since I live in town, at least I wouldn't have the travel expenses and hotel fees, so at least that would be in my favor. I'm hoping maybe the change in ownership will have a positive impact. I guess I'll wait around and see how long it takes them to get the show information and applications set up. I've already received replys from other shows in September who's applications were due in February. Even with new organizers, the dates should at least be posted.
Going until 10pm would make for a very long day - especially for the traveling artists, who still need to find food after shutting down for the night! I can't imagine there were very many people even after 8pm. Most shows I've been to shut down between 6 and 8, and almost always the last hour of day is dead.