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I am new to this site as a member although for a few months I have been periodically viewing some of the posts. I know that by many, we food vendors are considered necessary evils, however I really enjoy doing art festivals more than other festivals available througout the state of Florida. Having said that I would really appreciate some information as to which venues some of you believe would be of interest to me. While I understand that this is primarily an art related site all of you have to eat and we particularly enjoy feeding the various artist attending these events. We even provide special pricing to other show participants. We have managed to book about 20 weekends between September 1st and March 30th but need a dozen more to fill the schedule. We are a mom and pop operation but have been very successful in the past year and offer some foods that are different such as blackened shrimp po' boys and shrimp tacos. We also offer the standard hot dogs and sausages as well as fresh squeezed lemonade. Any suggestion would be greatley appreciated. I would be more than willing to share with you any events I encounter that may be off the main path.

This past weekend we were in Bloomington, IL ... actually Normal IL. The combination of the two cities can be a little confusing. Its a wonder show near the Campus. Last year, this was one of our top shows, so we were looking forward to a successful weekend. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans. Like many other parts of the country, she turned up the heat on Saturday and kept the attendance down, way down. My phone told me it was 100 degrees. Yikes! It was a marked difference from the prior year on foot traffic on Saturday. But there is nothing you can do, but tough it out.

The show organizers and volunteers did their best to help out. They came through the show at LEAST 7-times with water on Saturday. The first round was even before the show opened. They are top notch! On Sunday, the temperature was better ... only around 85 degrees. There was a bit of wind, but no one was complaining. Traffic and sales were better on Sunday. We were about half the total sales from 2010, which still makes it an average show for us.

The group from the McLean County Arts Center were great. They are to be commended for all their hard work in putting the show together and running it, under adverse conditions. We would love to return next year, if they will have us. Hopefully Mother Nature will be a little kinder.

All of you who love the Ann Arbor Art Fair, here is your last chance to visit with and collect the photography of stalwart original Guild members Ruth and Walter Pinkus at this month's Ann Arbor Art Fair. They've been in the business longer than many of us and as the Ann Arbor media roll out their stories about the fairs they've included a wonderful article about Ruth and Walter in the Ann Arbor Journal.

Couple to sell their photography for last year at Ann Arbor Art Fairs

This is an excellent capsule of the art fair life. Walt, who was employed at the University's Physics Lab, and loved photography, grabbed a booth in those early days and he and Ruth (both active in the Ann Arbor Camera Club) became fixtures at the show, as well as instrumental in the development of The Guild of Artists (formerly the Michigan Guild.)

Read the article and experience some of the adventures they've had as they battled weather, the economy, credit card fraud, vehicle breakdowns, belly dancers, famous politicians and so much more. A great summation for their career: "We'll miss the stimulation, but not the crises."

See you on the road Ruth and Walt. It's been a great trip!

I participated in my first large-scale street fair three weeks ago, the Ocean Beach Chili Cook-Off.  It drew 70,000 into the Ocean Beach area and featured several blocks of a variety of different booths from vendors and artists.  Several music stages were dotted throughout the event, as well as carnival rides and ponies.  It was a big, BIG one day event.

I set up my booth for the first time and sold a few items but not nearly as many as I had hoped.  But it was a very good experience for lots of other reasons--I learned a lot!!

The following day, I got to go to the La Jolla Festival of the Arts.  This was a completely different event in a very different venue--on the football field at the University of California, San Diego.  It wasn't free either, as tickets to get in were $14.  I had two complimentary tickets I got through my workplace, and I'm really glad I went.

I think I can say with some surety that the La Jolla Festival of the Arts was the first time I have ever been to a true art festival, rather than a street fair.  I noticed several differences right away, and was struck by how significantly the character of the event was completely contrasting.  (Please forgive the nature of the photos--I didn't realize my iPad lens had sunblock smeared on it...)

First off, because it was a ticketed event, the nature of the attendees was quite different.  Since it was not free (and most young people don't choose to spend their money on events of this nature) the people tended to be a bit older.  Consequently, the behavior at the event was much more subdued and less frenetic.  The attendees were truly interested in looking at the artwork, and there wasn't anything else to compete for their attention--no ponies here!  The event was strictly a venue for artists with a grandstand stage thrown in, notably on one side of the venue away from the art booths, so unless you were interested in perusing art you probably wouldn't bother to buy a ticket.

The event was carefully laid out in clean and organized rows with lots of space and in such a way that every artist had a corner booth with two open walls.  This was important, as there were a lot of artists with large scale sculptures that wouldn't have fit into a small 10x10 three-walled booth.  And speaking of tents, there were a lot of Trimline and Crafthut tents instead of the EZup tents that were predominant at the previous day's street fair.  EZup tents are very quickly assembled but they're very lightweight.  In contrast, the more sturdy Trimline and Crafthut brands take much more time to put together but provide a stable and relatively waterproof tent.

The art itself was different, too.  These were professional gallery artists, not hobbyists.  They had years of experience selling and showing their work in different art galleries across the country.  Some had done public art works in large venues--one in particular had a sculpture he had done for UCSD less than a block away from the entrance to the festival!  They displayed their award ribbons from past events proudly, and their presentation was clean and very well composed.  Many of the tents seamed to be "mini-galleries", and I can only imagine how much money went into display equipment.

In the middle of the event was a bar--not a beer garden, but a real bar, with barstools and a wooden counter top.  Around the bar were umbrellas where sidewalk chalk artists and pastel painters were creating art on boards on the ground to be auctioned off later.  A very small stage was set up where an acoustic guitar player was strumming softly, which added a tranquility to the atmosphere.

At the entrance was a silent auction and a brass quintet, as well as a booth to purchase festival swag and sign up for a free drawing.

We didn't even make it over to the grandstand, but there was a "Restaurant Row" of tents near it which featured area restaurants--no gyro or chicken kabob food vendors in sight!  A small row of festival sponsors was also featured, but separated from the art booths.

Everything was on the flat, grassy surface of the UCSD football field, so there was no concrete and the walking was smooth and comfortable.  There was a bright sun in the cloudless sky, and a soft gentle breeze keeping the temperature in the mid-70s.  It was a beautiful day, and the art made it moreso.

Everywhere it was a feast for the eyes.  I hope the artists made a lot of money that day.  Unfortunately for me, the items were pretty pricey--rarely was any art listed for anything under $300, and it was common to see items running in the $1500-$2000 range and above.  But it was such an elite event, I would be surprised if there weren't attendees who could afford those prices...  After all, it's La Jolla.  Most of the kind of folk that live there are pretty affluent.  Mit Romney has one of his houses in La Jolla, after all...

The one thing I was disappointed in was the lack of wearable art artists...  There was only one that was actually selling attire, and the rest were selling hats and jewelry.  I am not sure if the event simply didn't want clothing vendors, or whether they are not considered fiber art, or whether they classify jewelry separately, or what...  But if there was one thing that I took away from the event it's that maybe organizers felt clothing might not be considered "artistic" enough to warrant placement within such company as photographers, sculptors, and painters...  Maybe that's the wrong conclusion, but it just seemed odd to me...

Overall, it was a completely different experience than the previous day's Street Fair.  I now know what an Art Festival is like.  It left me feeling like I have to really work on my art, because as far as I could tell there weren't many artists there who were selling things that wouldn't be accepted into a gallery.  And when it boils down to it, I guess that's what you want at a high end Art Festival in the first place, right?  Conceptually, it sort of brings the galleries to the people instead.  If I want my work to be juried into an Art Festival, I need to make sure it's what I feel is "gallery worthy".  I need to be proud enough of the quality of my art to be able to compare it to the other artists that were there, and it should hold its own.  In some respects, I wonder if it needs to be unique enough to be considered art first, and clothing second.

My eyes were opened, and I remembered a lot of comments from artists mentioning the necessity to scope out a show before applying to it.  I see now how this can be very important, as the applications can be a bit misleading...  I see now how participating in an Artist's Alley can be a very different experience from participating in a show that features artists only.  Not necessarily bad, but just a very different demographic of attendees.  If your work is geared more toward a Street Fair atmosphere rather than an Art Fair ambience (or vice versa), then you're actually a step ahead of the game--you know where you'll fit best.  It's those purveyors that are selling something that is "in between" that probably have it the hardest.  I feel like I may be one of those kinds of artists...  And I need to work on tweaking my work toward one or the other to best take advantage of the different kinds of consumers at each type of event.  The nature of my applications are going to need to be considered carefully.

Even though the Art Festival was somewhat "intimidating", it was also quite heartening.  I learned a LOT.  It was completely worth the experience of a spending a couple hours visiting the booths and perusing their work.  While I didn't talk to any of the artists (good grief, they were busy--I thought it would have been rude of me to "talk shop" when they're trying to sell their stuff!!), I gleaned quite a bit from just watching everything and taking it all in. 

I look forward to my next Art Festival experience when I can get to one.  And now I know a bit more of what to expect and what to look for when I'm thinking about applying to a show.  I know more about the difference between a Street Fair and an Art Festival, and I feel a bit more "forewarned and forearmed".

Until next time, Live Life with Relish!

I'm looking at applying to a new show in N. Texas.  They (the city) is requiring all applicants to have liability insurance.  They (the city) would be the sole beneficiary of the policy.  I think the limit was 1 million, but I could be off.

The show fee is $250 for a new show and over 2 days -- but is it worth it if I also have to buy liability insurance.  I don't know what the cost might even be.   Sorry haven't looked around because this seems like a lot of hoops to go through for a weekend.

I haven't heard of other shows requiring liability insurance.  Is this the new trend?

Sue

My wife an I are in the process of getting ready to do half a dozen, or so, art fairs in 2012, and were considering an 8-foot high, 10'x10' Trimline canopy. However, we just found out that one of our friends is planning on selling his used 7-foot high, 10'x10' CraftHut canopy at a very reasonable price.

My reason for considering a Trimline is the manner in which they stand up to high winds. I am associated with the Art Center & Gallery of Estes Park, which sponsors Art Market during the Memorial Day weekend. The past Memorial Day, we lost 11 tents due to high winds and all, with one exception, were EZ UPs.

We currently have an EZ UP and have used it a couple of times in the past, but high winds cause me a lot of concern, thus my reason for wanting to switch to a Trimline.

Also, I am concerned about the difference between a 7-foot high tent, as opposed to an 8-foot tent. I am a wildlife photographer and will be using it to display my photographs.

What are your thoughts, suggestions, and recommendations?

An interesting thread on the dpreview forums about a photographer defending his right to photograph a booth at a street fair or art show:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1018&message=41946334

DPreview.com (Digital Photography Review) is probably the most active photography forum. But it's more about equipment than photographs. There are specific forums for each different camera manufacturer or camera system.

Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100

August 11 & 12

Monroe, Michigan 

Downtown Monroe E. First St. & Washington

Sat.: 10am-7pm, Sun: 11am-6pm

90+ exhibitors

Deadline: July 17 

The Downtown Monroe Fine Art Fair is located in the Historic District of Monroe, Michigan.  Our art fair corresponds with the River Raisin Jazz Festival, which is headlining nationally known musicians such as David Sanborn, Chuck Mangione & Chris Botti.  

Enjoy our grassy Loranger Square, located in the center of our show.  The square's Lotus Fountain, Library, children's area, and Pavilion offer a diverse, relaxed atmosphere.  The Pavilion is also our second stage for the Jazz Festival.  With only three blocks separating the two festivals, people flow from one to the other and it really makes Downtown Monroe come alive during this weekend.  Now in it's 9th year, our art fair is quickly gaining respect for it's high quality of fine artists who display their works.

Because neither the Downtown Monroe Fine Art Fair nor theRiver Raisin Jazz Festival charge an admission to the public, the number of people who attend annually has been increasing with a record number of 30,000.

This is a non-profit show, with every penny earned/donated used directly for the advertising of this specific show.  In addition, the local tourism bureau advertises both the River Raisin Jazz Festival and Fine Art Fair throughout the Midwest.

Show fee: $100.00

For more information and application:  www.monroefineartfair.com  

Looking for more shows for your 2012 season? Visit www.CallsforArtists.com. You'll be surprised.

Assuming one is accepted to both shows, which show would you chose?  Please post any opinions, reviews, links or personal experiences about each show.  I would love to learn more about the shows.

Also, if anyone has any other recommendations for another show on the same weekend or in November/December, then please add your suggestions.

Thank you.

Many thanks to all of you who are not only taking care of your own business, but also willing to donate your time to improve conditions for everyone at the nation's juried fine art fairs. I appreciate all the input I've received from so many of you.

If you are interested in this topic, please listen to it here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artfairs/2012/07/05/buysell-what-art-fair-promoters-artists-can-do-about-it

Between the three of us speaking (Carroll Swayze, an art fair artist for over 40 years, Carolyn Edlund who has spent her entire career in creating and administrating in the arts and myself, who didn't get involved until I was 40 years old but am trying to make up for lost time) we have over 100 years of experience in the business. Amazing!

A quickie look at where you can find more information about protecting the shows from buy/sell and places to go to look for more:

• NAIA - (National Association of Independent Artists) has an FAQ page where you can read what many show directors do to combat buy/sell at their events.
  
  
• Alibaba.com - a global trade website where you can query suspected imported goods
  
  
• Manta.com - a resource where you can find information about corporations large and small, e.g., # of employees, Dun and Bradstreet ratings, etc.
  
  
• Take a look at an excellent prospectus that keeps buy/sell out of the Buyers Market of American Craft
  
• All businesses must be registered in the states where they are headquartered, so if you go to a .gov for any state you can track down details on that business.
  
  My thanks to glass blower Tom Michael who unearthed this information for me. Where to find it in Michigan: http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bcs_corp/sr_corp.asp. He also and tipped me off on the "glow in the dark jelly fish paperweights" at Alibaba.com
  
  
• Thanks to the lawyers who were willing to talk to me on July 4 for their opinions about the legal issues. The opinion is that the handling of buy/sell at each event is pretty much up to the individual jurisdiction of that show and as many of you have said all along it is up to the show to enforce -- but you'll find lots of tips for what artists can do to help the process along.
  
  
• Consensus best advice: "boots on the ground", visit art fairs, keep your eyes open, know your neighbors, don't jump to conclusions but know what is out there

October 6 & 7
Portage, Indiana
Portage Fall Festival
Portage Park Department

Deadline: August 1st

The spectacular fall colors, the lapping water of Lake Michigan, the hum of an active, vibrant community all beckon the artist and the art lover to Portage, IN, 30 minutes from downtown Chicago, South Bend and Michigan.  

Just the words, "Fall Festival" conjure up warm memories of the good offerings of our farm heritage....wine, cheese, chocolate....combined with a celebration of the creations of many skilled, talented and selected artists and artisans from throughout the region. Come join us for a sampling of all this and more.

Portage is proud to offer a wonderful weekend venue of juried art showings, a wine tasting, homemade chocolates, live music and much more, all under one roof. The Harvest Festival is open to art in all media. Much as the city itself is a melting pot and crossroads, we wish our show to reflect that milieu. Portage is 30 minutes from Chicagoland, South Bend and Michiana!

The juried art portion of the festival will be held in air conditioned comfort of the 9,000 square foot Oakwood Grand Hall at Woodland Park, and the wine tasting, chocolate and live music will be held up an easy flight of stairs in our elegant reception room, the Sycamore Hall.

Please put this event, the Portage Harvest Festival, October

2011 Best of Show - Painter Michael Weber

6th & 7th at the top of your fall calendar. Come, relax, and enjoy the talent, creativity and virtuosity of art as you've not experienced it before.

Important Dates:

August 1st: Entry Deadline

August 24th:  Notification Date

September 1st: Booth Fee Due

Artists Amenities:

• A secure building/police monitored alarm system
• Booth sitters
• Set up on Friday 10am-6pm or Sat. at 6am
• Advertised in NW Indiana, Chicagoland, Michiana areas
• Coffee, doughnuts and refreshments on Sat. & Sun.
• Lunch on Saturday

For more info:

Pam Passera

Recreation Program Coordinator

      219-762-1675 x-303, 219-762-7479 fax

Learn more and download the application: http://www.ci.portage.in.us/department/division.php?fDD=8-224 

I think as creative people, most of us artists like to be in charge of our businesses because we know how we want things done.  I've heard many a couple packing up at the end of an art show, bickering about how things should be put away for next time.  The non-artist helping partner doesn't think it is a big deal, and the artist feels strongly about making sure it's done right and the helper is doing it wrong.

I get it.  Five years ago, my mother retired and offered to help me with my business.  After a couple years, I discovered that having my mom be part of my business was a bad, bad idea.  I gently redirected her into just keeping me company.  Even so, she's at my house up to three or four days a week for most of the day.  I wrote a blog about her and we had a great talk today which ended up with her coming over only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

http://www.pencilenvy.blogspot.com/2012/07/ed-mcmahon-and-golden-corral.html

So if you're having a problem with a family member, write a blog about it!  Or you could just have a talk without the blog, but I prefer to do things the difficult way.

Hope you're keeping cool... it was 105 in the Chicago area yesterday!

My second year for this show, I’m glad I went although sales were down.  Emily Kanine works her butt off to accommodate the artists and has an easy-going, common sense approach to any glitches that may come up. 

Sales were half what they were last year for me, but I was still ahead at the end.  Several other painters I talked to reported the same thing.  I think lower price points did better, but I talked to a few of those artists too, and everyone reported a slower than expected crowd and lower sales.  Some speculated that it may have had to do with the 4^th falling mid-week and the show being prior to the fourth instead of the weekend after.  Also, it was very, very hot and I heard lots of folks say they were heading to the lake.  My average sale is $500, and I had several.  Another painter friend of mine sold a 5K piece, so there were some higher priced successes.

This fair does have some buy/sell and some trinkety stuff and I talked to next year’s promoters about it.   I hope other artists talk to them about it as well and that they address it. It really is a nice show, but they could eliminate some of the buy/sell and be a little smaller.  Too many iron-on decal tee-shirts and jewelry from where-ever pretty, shiny, mass-produced jewelry comes from. 

This is a two day show in a lovely park, and set up can begin on Friday.   Load in and out is easy; there is a dollying involved, but not great distance.  There are parking spaces available before and after the show that are not far from all the booth spots if everyone is patient.  Double parking on the side streets is possible too, so everyone gets in and out without much trouble.     

We artists can be our own worst enemies... I was surprised to see so many artists that park their vehicles right outside their booths during the whole fair, instead of leaving that space for the customers.  Seems like a no-brainer to me.  Parking is an issue in Ludington and we were asked to park in a couple of other areas farther away, so the customers could park closer to the fair.  How many potential customers drove around looking for a space and left, because they couldn’t find a spot close enough to wheel Aunt Millie and her oxygen bottle in?  Duh...

They keep all the food vendors in one area and the music in my opinion was appropriate and not too loud.  I was not too close to the stage though, so I don’t know how it was for artists that set up closer.  

With our Keurig coffee maker, our Starbucks K-cups, and a couple of rolls of Northern Quilted, we checked in to The Nova Motel, which should have been named, the No-Sleep, or the  No- way, Are You Gonna Believe How Much Your Body Will Ache After Lying On Our Mattress All Night, Motel.  Honestly, I need to figure out how to get a good night’s sleep at these budget motels.  Isn’t there some sort of travel temperpedic mattress or something?  My husband tells me I should just google “portable mattresses for narcissists”.  He’s not called my Administrator of Strategic Solutions for nothing.

Most likely I’ll do this show again, especially if they address the bs. 

This is the second year that I have done the Brainerd, MN Art show.  The setting is nice and set-up is easy and enjoyable.  That seemed to be where it ends, though.  This show is not for artists anymore.  If you do buy/sell, crafts, and crap, you will do well here. 

The attendance was down from last year.  Last year the show was on a Saturday, which I think was much better.  This show was on Sunday, so many that attended were in their church best.  I found I was talking much less to people vs last year, and the crowd was mostly interested in those big bags of popcorn and corn dogs.  It must be like going to a movie, whereas people need something in their hand to mouth.

My sales were a flat ZERO.  Last year was completely opposite, as it was a very good show for me.  I spoke to many other artisans to get a read of the show, and I heard from one jeweler (that I recommended to this show) that she BOMBED!  Sorry.  Another artisan next to me that does wall hangings using wools (nice stuff at good prices) also mentioned that his sales were rather dismal, although he broke even.  I heard the same at most of the booths.  One photographer was also not happy, as he did zero dollars as well.

I did spend some time with a couple that makes wood items like turntables and napkin holders, and they said they were happy with the show.  Their items were nice, but again priced below $100.00.

I think my disappointment with the show is it seemed that it was just "there".  A lot of buy/sell was evident, including the people that do the letters thing, paintings from China, tie dye shirts from overseas, and a lot of crap.  There were also some good crafts and lower priced art, but it was pretty much the same. 

The judges in my mind didn't have a clue what art was, and judging on who won, their was personal reasons for their win.  Congratulations to them, but there were better artists representations there.  I spoke to one person that helped with deciding whether the product was buy/sell or not.  He didn't have a clue.  I saw a minimum of fifteen...that's fifteen vendors with overseas crap.  Being an importer from the past, it is easy to spot.  Obviously the judging crew doesn't have a clue, or they just let people in to fill space.

One other thing that I noticed at this show is that there are women artists that take your time trying to extract information so they can do it themselves.  These people detest me, as it has happened over and again.  To those cheap skates that haven't a creative clue of their own, I'm getting better at spotting them and telling them to get the h*ll out of the booth. 

Anyway, Brainerd, MN will never be on my show list again.  I hope other real artists get the clue.  I know that there are several others that will never show their again either...they will be replaced by another Chinese vendor.

October 5-7

Lee's Summit, Missouri
90+ artists
Deadline: July 18
Fri.: 3pm-9pm; Sat.: 10am-9pm
Sun.: 11am-5pm

Find your way to the event.

Summit Art's signature event is the annual Longview Art & World Music Festival. We collaborate with our partners, New Longview Foundation and Gale Communities. The event is presented by Saint Luke's East, Lee's Summit.

The event is held in the New Longview neighborhood-shopping district. This is a high quality fine art event which was awarded Missouri's Arts council most "Creative Community of 2010".

The event parking is free to the artists and the public. The event management, Summit Art, New Longview Foundation, with Gale Communities, plus regional media and businesses are providing an unprecedented level of support, including advertising, for this event. Recognized national, regional, and local artisans represent most art mediums.

Continued in our 4th year, electricity will be provided to each booth, enabling extended evenings until 9pm for patrons, and enhanced artist support services. The mix of fine art, non-amplified music, a food/beverage court lead by R.A. Long's and the New Longview Foundation will complement the atmosphere of the exciting weekend fine art festivities.

Beyond the extraordinary artist booths in the street, this event offers two pavilions. A "Summit Art" artist's pavilion, a Lee's Summit R-7 School District, grades 7-12 pavilion, Chalk Art, face painting, and historic hayride tours.

The New Longview area has become one of Kansas City's fastest growing neighborhood communities. This area originally was the Longview Farm, built by R.A. Long, which opened in 1914 and was hailed as, "the world's most beautiful farm" which has become a neighborhood shopping district, elementary school, civic building and public spaces. All this integrated with the preservation and restoration of many of the original historic Long View Farm buildings.

For more info: www.longviewartmusicfest.com
Apply at: www.zapplication.org
Email: info@longviewartmusicfest.com
Mailing Address: 18 SW 3rd St.
Lee's Summit, MO 64063

I  am curious about the Paragon Fine Art Fests.  Has anyone ever done any of the
Texas shows?  How about the Florida shows?  I am looking for feedback to decide if they are worth appling for.

Thanks,

Douglas Farrar

First off, where is Boston Mills?

First time I heard it mentioned it was by my buddy Jeff Jackson, a great glass artist who lived in Micanopy,Florida at the time.  It was 1986.  He would come back from the show with a solid $8-10K in his wallet.

So I got a Massachusetts map out and started looking around Boston for this place.  No such animal lived there.

So I wanted to apply one year and I asked Jeff, "Where the hell is Boston Mills?"

Down in the valley, dummy", he replied, "Just south of Cleveland at a ski resort."

So I applied in 1988, got in and made better $5K, I was elated.  I have done it more than 15 times since then and it was always a money-maker, but it has been sliding slowly downward last three years.

This year it hit rock bottom.  I didn't even do three thousand.  Others barely made expenses.  As always, there were a few happy campers.  I may need to give this show a break.

There were two big factors that hurt sales this year.  Horrible heat in the low 90's everyday.  And of course our wretched economy that is squeezing the middle class badly.  That coupled with less good shoes folks, who have the moola to buy, showing up led to dire consequences.

It is held at the Boston Mills Ski Resort at the bottom of the Cuyahoga Valley, south of Cleveland.

Two weekends, always before and after or during July4th.  I was doing the first weekend.  Some think the second weekend is better.  Guess what?  They are going to roast just like us.

It is well organized,advertised and staffed.  They are pros and do a great job.  Nobody has power over the weather.  It is always hot here, this year was one of the worst.

They charge a gate fee.  They have a wine preview nite for sales and alcohol before the main show dates.  You have a choice of being in large tents, with electricity (bring fans) or outside with no electricity.  I am always in the tent.

They are scrimping on things at the wine preview.  No good foods like shrimp, or crusted mushrooms and nice steak tidbits.  It was mostly cheese and fruits and cheap cuts of meat--not good.

Used to be the Ludwigs owned the resort and got all their high-flyng friends to attend.  Think Good Shoes people.  Now you have a large group that owns the resort and is not so hands on.  They don't do a good job of getting the Good Shoes there.  Too many were dressed like the Walmart Crowd.  Honestly, that is just my take on it after doing it for 15 plus times.

With the horrid heat and failing economy, the crowd was down.  Most sales were zip after  2pm.

Ironically, they sent us all a bulletin bragging how the attendance for wine preview was record-breaking.  They must be drinking too much of that stuff--because it was bull-----.

Setup and teardown is bearable.  Everybody gets out quick.  This used to be a great show, but it has seen better days.

That's all I am saying.

BTW, saw the Cardio doc today, we do an exploratory procedure this Monday, THEN I FIND OUT IF THE VALVE IS REPAIRABLE OR REPLACABLE.

ALOHA, NELS..

After a less than stellar tour of seven Florida shows in February and March last year, I'm considering a more abbreviated Florida tour in the fall this year. My only unqualified success last winter was Winter Park, which I will be delighted if I get into again. But, I'm also wondering about Fall Florida shows. I'm curious about two shows, especially: Dunedin on November 3-4 and DeLand on November 17-18. I did DeLand several years ago with limited success, but that was 8 or 9 years ago. I know its too much to ask, but, wouldn't it be great to find a "Winter Park-quality" show, with a good rep for sales and community support?

I'm also thinking Armand Circle in Sarasota on the 10th and 11th (the weekend between the two shows mentioned above). And, a related question to those who have done Armand Circle: Street or Park? Park is attractive because Friday setup is possible, while setup on the street is Saturday morning.