The Lucketts Fair - 2010 (first day)

Held for 38 years now in the small town of Lucketts, VA, it draws from all over Northern VA, DC, and parts of Maryland. We vended at it for four years, but took a break for four more to do other shows, coming back this year. It's changed considerably with new volunteer managers and modified layout. At least a dozen other crafters we knew were there scattered about the grounds, so we were able to get a range of perspectives.

From ours: We were in a new area that was shaded (VERY welcome!), near the main entry gate so we had a lot of traffic, but there was some buy-sell mixed in with the crafters - not more than a hand full, but enough to show the jury process needed tightening. Sales were steady up until the heat really set in around 3PM, which usually happens here. From that point on, attendees kind of go into zombie mode and just walk around. Gross today wasn't spectacular, but more than made costs so we're into the black already and there's still tomorrow.

From two different friends out where we'd been in the past in an unshaded open field: Hot from the beginning. The spoke layout left many attendees asking where so and so was and lost at times. One said he had a very big sale at the end of the day that made up for his last bad show. The other said they'd done "OK", but weren't happy.

From someone who we know makes all their products and was put in what used to be a buy-sell section: No traffic, next to no sales, really upset as they'd been coming to this event for over eight years and had never been put there before.

From someone who's been there for 21 years: They asked for the same spot as the previous year, but were put somewhere completely different. Sales were marginal compared to last year, and they didn't see some repeat customers who'd always stopped by their booth on Saturday before.

Bottom line - very mixed. From what we can tell, the people running the event are trying to improve it, but sometimes having difficulty around the edges. We'll report again tomorrow.
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