This show is 11 years old. It was started by art show artists who were ticked off at being juried out of Allentown in favor of "foreigners". They wanted this show to be the anti-Allentown alternative.
Western NYers get an extra jury point to tilt the show in their favor. There are 180 booths now, started at 80 and I hope they stop here. There are components to this show that would normally make me think twice: a dance stage, a music stage, a kid's area, etc. But this one works. It brings out a really good demographic, I think. And the neighborhood (Elmwood Village) is the city's best (not just because I live there). Diverse, good money, educated.
The attendees love this show and invariable say they prefer it to the larger Allentown. There is a nice mix of fine art and craft and they also have a "domestic craft" category with a few slots allotted there. But, truth be told, I saw nothing that seemed to fit that description.
People were carrying purchases, many of them framed art work/photographs which I always take as a good sign. The size of this show makes the "I'll be back" a real possibility. People also tend to come for both days because of the entertainment and that helps us, too.
There are no awards, amenities consist of coffee, juice and mini muffins at set up. Lots of volunteers that can be flagged down as needed.
There is an ease and fun element to this show that makes it a favorite of mine. I'm not sure what it is. But the customers seem to feel it to. They are just...I dunno...happier or something. And happy people spend more. I really believe that.
Most people I spoke to did really well, for some, their best show of the year. It is a hopeful sign. If the Christmas shows live up to the test, I may actually escape with a decent profit this year. :)
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