Comments

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  Mark V. Turner March 23, 2013 at 12:17am

  Donna, You asked about the Manayunk exhibition....

  There is a wine and cheese reception the night before for artists with live music and goodies from various restaurants to gnosh upon and some art exhibited by local artists to look at. Dont stay too long b/c you will be losing valuable sleep time before your EARLY morning set-up

  it can be a zoo during set-up... Exhibitors are admitted in half-hour arrival time blocks which you note a preference for early on and are assigned... You will be told to rendezvous at an assigned checkpoint at an insanely early time (as soon as it gets light at street level, or even before)... Having a second person to help will be a lifesaver b/c you are suppposed to dump your stuff (no setting up before you move your vehicle in theory) and then go park your vehicle... Parking can involve a hike. However, there are also various non-A&C exhibitors who are trying to get tour-bus sized vehicles through your set-up zone to get to their spots... and sometimes they don't use their designated entry points seeing as they have some sense of entitlement or their vehicles will not fit through streets with cars parked on both sides...

  Remember to bring lots of stuff to level your booth and displays... You are on asphalt... The street has a very high crown which means the streets can significantly slope towards the curb from the middle. Also, Main Street is hilly and your booth spot can require leveling front to back because of the street crown and from left to right owing to the terrain. Plan for a potential six inch drop front to back and side to side and you will be OK....

  Make sure you bring enough weight to hold you down in a storm, b/c you aren't allowed to tie off to anything.

  You will have businesses open behind your booth and lots of traffic on the sidewalks. So, don't stash anything behind your booth. There is supposed to be a 3 ft gap between booths which is shared by you and your neighbor for 'back storage'

  It can be broiling hot on the asphalt so bring plenty to drink. There are plenty of porto-potties, though they may or may not have all the supplies needed owing to traffic and last year, no hand sanitizer dispensers in them or handwashing stations nearby.

  After the set-up buffoonery, you can get to selling and it can be good depending on your location and product line and who comes to your booth..  The middle section of Main Street sees the most people b/c the show is a mile long or more booth city starting down at Green Street and running all the way down to Shurs Lane; maybe further.

  Don't leave anything in your booth overnight you wouldn't want stolen. There is security and cops patroling... but nonetheless pull your stock and anything you think might be of interest to a thief... The cops can be real controlling regarding getting your vehicle to your spot to pack out for the overnight and it can be damn near ridiculous on Sunday morning getting back to your spot to load back in...Plus, lots of cyclists will be using Main St... So if you are into watching guys in bike shorts with buns of steel - this might be your moment... But remember they have no regard for you as you are an intruder into their regular space with your booth... So don't get run over...

  Last couple years have been really good weather-wise, so bring your sunscreen, but also bring your rain poncho

   

  Mark
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  Kathleen J. Clausen February 10, 2013 at 1:59pm

  Hi Donna Marie,

  I'm always glad to see another Jewelry Genies member.  Welcome!
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  Connie Mettler September 27, 2012 at 9:52pm

  Welcome to ArtFairInsiders, Donna Marie.  I'm pleased to see you here and look forward to having you as part of our community.
  
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  Connie Mettler
  
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