This show is huge with 300 artists, and is held in lovely Piedmont Park. (If you have allergies, be prepared!) The Volunteers were great, coming around several times asking if you needed a break or anything.
Friday the show started at noon and ran till 9. The festival had music playing until 9, but you had the option to leave at 7, if you wanted. The day was very slow, I only had one sale all day. Most artists left at 7.
Saturday was chilly and windy. There was a cold front moving in, with predictions of heavy rain and strong winds through the night. The crowd was light, not many buyers. We had 4 sales the entire day. Most around us had the same sort of day. Again, you had the option to leave at 7 if you liked. By Sat evening, the skies were darkening, many artists at my end decided to pack it in a little early, since most had a long walk to their vehicle. We got to our van just as the skies opened up. We were beginning to wonder if this show was going to be worth the drive.
Side note- Parking can be a nightmare. There was a designated Parking Garage, but it was a ways from the Park. If you had an oversized vehicle, you were on your own. We found an open lot for $5.00 for the entire day. The walk was probably about a mile, since we were on the far side of the park, but I figured I needed the exercise anyway.
Saturday night had thunderstorms, lots of rain and very strong winds. There were tornados just north of Atlanta. We were very lucky. Sunday morning we got up to cloudy skies and 43 degrees! I’m a Florida girl, that is cold! We got to the Park early, we were a little concerned about what we would find. Amazingly, there was no damage and no tents down! When we got to our side of the Park, our row of tents did have waterfront property. The drains in our area were clogged, so water had backed up into the booths about 3 feet, but had drained by morning. But across from us was a 10' wide puddle. The officials were called in. They decided to open the drains to get rid of the water. However, when they did that the water went down those drains and backed up into the drains in our booths, so the booths flooded again. Eventually, someone dug a drainage ditch out behind the booths and the officials brought in a small pump and after about an hour or so, the water was gone and we were somewhat dry again.
And then the sun came out, and so did the crowds and they came to buy! We did over $6000.00 on Sunday. We got so busy I didn’t have time to take pictures of the crowd. Too bad the other two days were not that good.
The Volunteer came around at 4 and told us the breakdown procedures take down your booth, we’ll give you a pass, you go get your van and load up. Here is the part of the show they need to work on- We were not allowed to bring in vans until most of the customers had cleared out. The police had to give the ok to bring vans in. However, they made NO effort to get the folks out or to keep others from coming in. By the time we got the ok to get our van, it was almost 7, everyone was broken down, and a little irritated. We all came in at the same time, and since there wasn’t much room anyway, you can imagine how breakdown went. But other than that, it was a great show. Great weather, good food, good entertainment, and good crowds.
Comments
Good point Connie---leaving a show early, because of what you "think" will happen usually winds up being a case of shooting yourself in the foot.
A lesson I learned along time ago, toughing it out pays off.
Amazing load in procedure. Kudos to them. I'm impressed.
Plus, amazing at the turnaround in sales! So many would be discouraged and maybe even leave on Saturday night. What a business! surprises around every corner, not for the fainthearted or the inflexible.
Thanks for the good report and photos too.
Sounds like breakdown was a waiting game, but as long as you know, and you make good money, you can think, "I could do it again" Glad that the weather was not too bad, but the flooded booth not fun.
interesting that so much attention is given to the set up---and so little for break down....
We are considering a show in Piedmont Park later this year, your info on the parking is very helpful. Thank you !