The Delaware Arts Festival is a nice, laid back show that I enjoy doing. It is early in the season and close to home. The show funds a local art scholarship. The festival is very well organized and run by local volunteers. They are really friendly and treat the artists great.
Setup begins at 6 AM and the show starts at 10. When you drive up to check-in, you get a packet with a map and show info. You get to drive right up to your booth, so I don’t bring my dolly. The booths are laid out on Sandusky and Winter streets in the center of town. Organizers do a good job of keeping two lanes open while everyone unloads. Parking is easy and close.
You should register for booth sitting in the morning, but volunteers still checked on me to ask if I was alone, and that was nice. The booth sitters showed up right on time.
This year, Saturday was cold with intermittent rain, to the crowd was a small group of die hard art fair fans. Yay for them! I was wearing many layers, but I was cold all day. Shoppers didn’t linger, since they were cold, too.
Sunday was cool but sunny and the crowd was much better. My sales were good, higher than last year.
The Delaware crowd is not highfalutin. They are conservative, working class and careful with their money. I noticed that yard ornaments and outdoor sculpture were popular. I made a good selection of pieces for under $50.00 for this show and I was happy with that decision. I didn’t walk around much, but I did see a wide variety of work, from simple craft to some beautiful fine art. I didn’t see any buy-sell.
There were a lot of dogs. I was really glad the great dane that went by wasn’t excited.
Pack up on Sunday was smooth. You break down, go get your vehicle and then load it up. The organizers keep two lanes open the whole time and there weren’t any traffic jams. You have a full 2 hours to pack up before they open the streets. I was done well before the two hours were up.
Comments
just got another invite to apply.. setting my calendar for 2016. I didn't apply for 2015 as I had another show booked.
Kristin... I just got an invite to apply for this show.. so I am happy to run across this review.
Aha! Thank you Kristin.
Well, I knew I would overlook something in my first review. There were hints to the location, which is Delaware, Ohio.
Not all of us are familiar with all these shows. I know Delaware is a small state, but a hint as to the show's location would be helpful!
This was my second year. Last year, my booth got an honorable mention, so I was encouraged to return. I plan to stick with this show! I heard that competition to get in is way up, as is probably the case with other shows as well.
Kristin, how many years have you done this show? Did you do well enough that you will go back again next year? The show sounds like it was well organized and ran smoothly. That sure helps toward having a good experience.
This has been a very cold spring in the north. I am so over it. Bring on the hot sweaty days.
Thanks for your review.