Luckily we had done a dry run two days prior so everything was up and in place by 8:30ish. Except in our dry run, there hadn't been any wind! It was solidly gusty most of the day, gusty enough that the back "wall" of the canopy was acting like a sail (took it down, then my banner functioned like a sail!) and gallons of water were bought and hung from the frame of the canopy for stabilizing weight. Oh did I mention that the show didn't start till 11? Yup. I was all set up and ready to rock and roll by a bit before 9 am.
Good thing for good books! Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs was the book of choice. A solid collection of people filtering through the grounds pre show were giving me rave reviews, while some thought of the book as weird and while another handful hadn't heard of it or had wanted to read it. Felt like I was at a book club!
A touch before 11 people started filter in, until the area was full of people mingling throughout the 400ish artists' booths! Granted I didn't get a chance to visit any of the other booths, so the fair seemed like it was only about 20 artists from my vantage point. My neighbors were good company, one selling tie-dyed shirts, wrap skirts and dresses like hotcakes, the other selling metal sheets wrapped with cute fabrics and unique magnets (buttons!). As well having super cute products, it had a cute business name too - Paper Mini Skirt!
The wind persisted throughout the day, though it didn't drive away any of the people. Most of my business cards and postcards were scooped up, though occasionally the wind attempted to tease them to the floor. Every image was an instant hit, with a large collection of rottweiler, min pin and doxie owners who remarked that the matching pictures on display looked just like their own dogs. Approx 6 of the visiting people were very seriously solid about contacting me for portraits, while the rest of my booth's visitors were going to think about it and look into it. 101 people signed up for the free mini session I was giving away!
The day slowed around 2 ish, as the sun began to creep into my tent. Instantly at the first tickle of sunshine, I sprayed down my half sleeve to protect against the sun fade, but I did not tend to any other areas of my shoulders, neck, and left arm. The result was a very crispy feeling, accompanied the lovely lobster red color that accompanied it. Ouchy! The wind took its time to die down, and prior to doing so caused the death of the glass in one of my frames. Granted it took 4 times of toppling over before the glass gave way! I tried to retire/fire the frame and print from its duties, but the table they were on looked just sparse. So the broken glass was removed and the frame and print redisplayed. Viola! Back in business with little other mishaps.
Just as quickly, the day had passed and the building's shadow behind me chased away the sun. The crowds had waned, wearing overly pink skin and bearing greasy rich smelling foods (corn on the cob and cups of fresh cut fries!). My mom arrived with Arby's, which we noshed on as the last of the meandering people thinned and the daylight began to wane. Paper Mini Skirt was one of the first to tear down, and I wasn't far behind. The canopy was a bit of a pain, but with some help from the tie-dye neighbor, we were able to get it collapsed and packed up. Two trips to the van and we were on the way back to my place.
I had an amazing time! Tons of people to interact with, all who had nothing but complimenting words for all of my images and snagged my business cards and postcards with great gusto. I met dog people, cat people and people who could have run their own petting zoos! People who had seen my volunteer work at Tri County came up and thanked me, and some of my comrades scoped me out as well. Really thinking of doing it again next year, though I'll use more sunscreen!
My booth (right after it was set up)
