Why didn't you apply to this art fair?

Here's the scenario:

new art fair in Port Huron, Michigan
small (60 exhibitors)
on a weekend (July 16 & 17) when there are few art fairs in the region
part of a new festival (music, food, art & yachts)
being held on the most highly trafficked weekend of the year, which is the annual Port Huron to Mackinaw Boat Race, a large regional draw
producers of the event have an excellent history of bringing people to their events, e.g., Arts, Beats & Eats
really good fees - $10 for application and $190 for booth

It would seem to me, speaking as an artist, that if I had paintings, expensive jewelry, sculpture and original drawings I'd probably not apply. But with that information it seems to me:

this is high tourist season, beautiful days in East Michigan, along Lake Huron
the event will draw large crowds

If I had work that is popular and could appeal to this audience, given the low expenses... ???

If you lived in a 150 mile radius would you apply? Why? Why not?

I'd love to hear from you. (Please no replies that are just negative whining.)

The event is the Blue Water Art Fair and a few spaces are still available. The applications are still open at www.theBlueWaterFest.com

Replies

Walt Bennett September 2, 2010 at 11:28am

Connie -

Thanks.
Walt Bennett August 31, 2010 at 8:43pm

Connie - will this be on next year? If so, my wife and I will apply.
- Connie Mettler > Walt Bennett August 31, 2010 at 10:35pm
  
  I don't have the word on this yet, Walt. I would expect that it will be. Stay tuned here and to my newsletters where you will hear about it first.
Aimee June 1, 2010 at 4:16pm

I would, except I am in Ohio and am not sure how you handle selling in another state...So far everything I do is in Ohio.

I've been to Port Huron though, and it's nice.
Chris Hoyt May 13, 2010 at 7:05am

Connie Mettler said:
Ahh, Chris. You don't know what you are missing -- our fairs and festivals take advantage of the summer nights, since we are on the Western edge of the same time zone as you. Summer events often provide electricity and the beautiful evenings with the booths lit up makes the shows look like some magical village. Really, it is very cool. *************************************
It sounds beautiful!

But we in New England make up for it in October when the hills are ablaze in color, the tourists come by the busload, and the shows are plentiful right through the first weekend in December.
Nels Johnson May 12, 2010 at 10:31pm

Connie, I don't care whether the show is near the central time zone--in your case it is in eastern Michigan, if it were in my area Saugatuck, you would have longer lite. Detroit side of state gets dark earlier--bottom line, very few exhibitors, EXCEPT JEWELERS, make money later at nite. I will stake my 35 years of doing shows on that fact. End the show at 6pm. You will never see me at that show with those hours--and I bet you won't see a lot of other vets there either. As the Who sing--"We won't get fooled again"

Connie Mettler said:
Ahh, Chris. You don't know what you are missing -- our fairs and festivals take advantage of the summer nights, since we are on the Western edge of the same time zone as you. Summer events often provide electricity and the beautiful evenings with the booths lit up makes the shows look like some magical village. Really, it is very cool.

Chris Hoyt said:
8 pm on a summer evening, when it stays light until nearly 10 pm, certainly until 9 pm? Sounds reasonable to me, Nels.

That's interesting. You see, around here in the northeast, it gets dark at 8:30 at the latest in late June and early July. Heck, in winter, it's dark at 4:30.

That's why we don't have any shows going into the evening unless electricity is supplied. And no art fairs or craft shows at all after 5 or 6 PM. Even street fairs close at 5.
Connie Mettler May 12, 2010 at 10:41am

Ahh, Chris. You don't know what you are missing -- our fairs and festivals take advantage of the summer nights, since we are on the Western edge of the same time zone as you. Summer events often provide electricity and the beautiful evenings with the booths lit up makes the shows look like some magical village. Really, it is very cool.

Chris Hoyt said:
8 pm on a summer evening, when it stays light until nearly 10 pm, certainly until 9 pm? Sounds reasonable to me, Nels.

That's interesting. You see, around here in the northeast, it gets dark at 8:30 at the latest in late June and early July. Heck, in winter, it's dark at 4:30.

That's why we don't have any shows going into the evening unless electricity is supplied. And no art fairs or craft shows at all after 5 or 6 PM. Even street fairs close at 5.
Connie Mettler May 12, 2010 at 10:37am

Exactly, Phyllis! Who doesn't love a little extra time in Michigan in the summer -- make some money too! Why not?

Phyllis Minnery said:
You've made me nervous. I applied to the show after I saw your post, figured the show would be okay if you were involved. I'm doing Krasl and my husband and I were planning on a weeks vacation in MI after the show, heading up to Makinaw (we honeymooned there). After seeing the post, thought what the heck, what's a little more business, maybe tag a show on the other end of our trip.
Suzanne Krongold May 12, 2010 at 9:21am

Connie,Thanks for answering my questions regarding this festival. I'm sorry that I will not be able to apply as we are in fact jewelers. The show sounded great, even if I had reservations. Well, I guess I'll keep this one in mind for next year! Thanks again.
Chris Hoyt May 12, 2010 at 7:40am

8 pm on a summer evening, when it stays light until nearly 10 pm, certainly until 9 pm? Sounds reasonable to me, Nels.

That's interesting. You see, around here in the northeast, it gets dark at 8:30 at the latest in late June and early July. Heck, in winter, it's dark at 4:30.

That's why we don't have any shows going into the evening unless electricity is supplied. And no art fairs or craft shows at all after 5 or 6 PM. Even street fairs close at 5.

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