This past weekend we took a last minute chance on a local show. \u00a0It turns out there were a few\u00a0spots open and we were “lucky\u00a0enough” to get in.<\/p>\n
It should be said that we have a standing rule of not attending a show that we have not previewed. \u00a0As it turns out, most all our rules are more like “guidelines” and often broken. In this case we were promised\u00a015,000 people and the fee was only $75.00 for the one day event. \u00a0 Add to that the show was only 45 minutes away and we were in.<\/p>\n
In most cases, with well organized shows, spaces are assigned well in advance so when a vacancy appears it can be anywhere. \u00a0In the past we have sometimes lucked out to find ourselves in a very good spot. \u00a0At other times, not so lucky.<\/p>\n
This weekend turned out to be one of the latter. \u00a0Our assigned spot was at the end of a dead end branch, added this year to\u00a0accommodate\u00a0more booths.<\/p>\n
One problem with dead ends is the lack of traffic flow. \u00a0The street we were on turned out to be a branch, away from the main traffic. \u00a0The flow came to a T and the choice was to go left or right. \u00a0If you go \u00a0right you were sent along a busy roe\u00a0toward\u00a0the main festival area. The\u00a0likelihood\u00a0of people turning back to explore the left hand turn, after they had\u00a0traveled\u00a0all the way back around was slim. \u00a0In fact it looked as if there was much more going on to the right so naturally, \u00a0many more people were drawn in that direction.<\/p>\n
Being at the end of a dead end is worse yet. \u00a0Often, show goers will not trudge all the way down a street if they\u00a0sense\u00a0a dead end or a\u00a0relative\u00a0lack of a crowd. \u00a0Many show goers turned back when only half way down the row.<\/p>\n
Several of our neighbors could be heard complaining about lack of sales and our sales were only rescued by the sale of a big ticket item.<\/p>\n
If a show is not really busy we\u00a0often\u00a0take turns checking out the grounds and touching base with the host of friends we have made over the years.<\/p>\n
One couple, who we have known for many years was “lucky\u00a0enough” to also find a spot at the last minute. \u00a0Their spot was right next to the food vendors, a spot we would never envy. \u00a0For what ever reason, when people get near food the sounds and smells tend to drown out all other\u00a0senses\u00a0and that means slow sales for\u00a0crafters.<\/p>\n
In both of these cases the sites were assigned at the last minute, a day or so before the show, and\u00a0beggars\u00a0can’t be choosers but there may have been a way to garner a more choice location. \u00a0 Had we asked about any last minute cancellation that morning, we may have been\u00a0rewarded\u00a0with a better space. \u00a0I don’t think I have ever been to a show that did not have one or two spots open the morning of the show. \u00a0Promoters\u00a0do not have time to go around offering better spots to all the vendors but if asked, they may have something that “just came up”. \u00a0Be frank with the person in charge but don’t make up any elaborate stories or you may not be invited to the show again.<\/p>\n
Remember that the best way to get a good spot is to pay for it well in advance.<\/p>\n
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