After having some problems with some assigned spots at other shows this summer (I'm in a wheelchair for distances, so I need to either be near the "facilities" or need to be on wheelchair friendly ground - not bumpy grass...) we called and kindly requested that we be assigned a spot suitable for the circumstances. We were told that they would try, but couldn't promise a spot.
Set up was very organized (but slow at the start). We could see they've been doing this for awhile. There was a line of cars into the grounds, where volunteers checked each car in, gave them their registration/information packet and sent them to the area where their booth space was. Volunteers directed cars where to park so aisles & roadways remained clear. Beside the normal name tags, brochures & evaluation forms, the registration packet had $10 worth of food tickets included - what a nice touch!
The site was partially a paved parking lot, and a grassy wooded park like area next to it. We were on the pavement (Thank you!) and the row behind us was on the grass. Booth space had no wiggle room. Tents were right up against each other on three sides. Some one in our row must have had a smaller tent because we "lucked out" with about three feet extra on one side.
You could tell this was a church -run show because the show started with a prayer over the P.A. system before they opened the admission gates (with their waiting throngs..) And we really needed a prayer because there were terrible black clouds overhead. When we left home it was really pouring and we were afraid that the weather would follow us. While we were setting us several quick showers came and went.
But the public came anyhow. They were ready to shop. We found it unusual that most of our sales were cash sales, rather than charge sales. The clouds parted a few times during the rest of the day. The crowds were large. We had steady traffic in our booth all day.
The event also had a music tent, fundraiser tent, a raffle, a bake sale with cheesecake slices. Yumm! Amaretto Chocolate Cheesecake! (They had other flavors too...) The food tent had the usual hamburger-hot dog type stuff.
Modest cash awards were given in three categories - fine art, fine crafts, country craft. There were less than 1/3 fine art booths. Fine art probably was 20% of the booths - fine crafts 40%, country crafts 40%. Highest award was $175.
All-in-all the day was worthwhile. We'll probably come again next year....
Comments
Always happy to hear about good sales, Maria. Good job and an excellent report!