What can I say it was a perfect weekend - perfect weather, perfect setting, perfect food, perfect selection of art and craft, and yes, perfect sales. Ok, maybe I didn't sell out, but there are some who did and I did sell a lot with a few items selling out - I find that close enough. So about the Wine Festival.... 1. It has been a Maryland tradition since 1983 where legend has it in the first year they outgrew their location - it was a hit. Now it is held at the Carroll County Farm Museum, think of it as a mini Williamsburg (smaller grounds with some people traditionally dressed up - for the tours). There are about 30 Maryland wineries that come out to be judged as the Best Wine in Maryland along with other titles and even awards for novice wine makers too. There is about 80 artists and crafts people ranging from stained glass - my neighbor, various degrees of jewelry makers, floral crafts, framed artwork of all kinds, to commercial stuff as well - even the Maryland lotto people have a booth. There are no games or things like that mind you. The admission price is hefty (in my opion) $20 for designated drivers and $25 for the rest and it includes all the wine you can taste. My only beef is that vendors were not allowed to taste, requiring them to pay the same admission fee - a big turn off since they are getting a deposit and commission on from all of us. So, I didn't drink, but do have my favorite! More of that in my "Wine" Report - sorry Nels, had to do a spin on the 'ol Tequila Report. 2. What made it good. It was well organized all around. Finding ones space wasn't hard although there were no definite rows. The time of the event is great - plenty of people up until the end - 6:00 p.m. Advertising was spot on - everyone came from everywhere in Maryland and they brought money (rumor has it they surpassed 25,000 in attendance). Oh yes, the weather was so perfect - 72-74 as a high with no clouds in the sky. The fee is beyond amazing - $25 + 15%. They do allow you to apply the $25 (subtracting it) to your overall sales. Many had a great show. I did very well with about 1/2 of my stock depleted - I was really prepared for it and selling 1/2 is unheard of in my part of the woods the way the economy is going. 3. What wasn't the best. I already mentioned there was a fee for those who who were exhibiting to wine taste - yeah, still heart broken over that. IT was really muddy, but they had a ton of straw and didn't waste time putting it down. Parking was a pain - it was organized, but my booth was in the far end direction of where the vendor gate was that I couldn't drive up - due to the mud there was only a path to get to your space wide enough for one car. Which means everyone parked on the path preventing others to get to their booth - people like me. On day 2, I ended up schlepping some of my stuff to my booth - about 1/8 mile! Yes, my back is still sore. I was put in a far off area that not everyone in attendance knew about - despite this my sales were really good so I can't imagine what it would be like if I had a more visible space. I also found most exhibitors weren't terribly friendly. I did the show by myself (husband helped for 4 hours on Saturday but that was it) and usually someone will be sympathetic and ask if I want a break to go to the bathroom - no one did, only wanted to know how my sales are - weird I thought. Oh, and they were quick to tell me how to do things, like I have never done shows before when by myself I can set up my display in 1 hour and 15 mins while it takes the others 2 people and 2 hours to set up, silly people. I can't really complain though it was a great weekend and a great venue. The Wine Report... I haven't been able to find info on who won the awards for 2009. However I do have a favorite winery - Linganore Winecellars. I actually love all of their wines as many are on the sweet side as I learned about them from working at the Maryland Renaissance Festival since 2001 - and I was only 14 then :-). But have to say the Fox Hunt Blush, Sangria, Peach, and Skipjack wines are my absolute favorites. Their winery is about 30 mins from where I live so I have the pleasure of checking them out at my leisure. I didn't get to go out to dinner - I do live close by so hubby made dinner for me and just had fast food the second night. I aim to do check out a pub this coming weekend when I am also in the same city doing a Fall Festival. Heard good reviews about it. All in all, I say come to this gem of an event it is wonderful. To learn more about the other wines or the festival, their website is www.marylandwinefestival.org .
I think I did a little channeling of Zena lol! For me, it doesn't take long as I leave things like the elbows on the poles and as long as I can get it in and out of the car with the rest of the stuff, it doesn't take long to set up. Then with the 2 fold-able shelves and table, it's not bad at all. Attached is a photo of my booth - ended up taking the sides down as there was no electric and the shade from the tree didn't help.
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