So what constitutes a great show? What makes one more memorable than another?
From the buying public's point of view maybe it is a lovely setting. Not many things are more pleasant than spending a warm summers day strolling along lines of clean, orderly and attractive booths, seeing beautiful items well displayed and chatting with friendly artisans who are selling their own wares. Not being jostled and pushed in a crush of people in too narrow aisles. Perhaps grabbing a bite to eat from the inviting, clean and well run food vendors, sitting down at a clean picnic table to enjoy your meal. No trash, no dust blowing up, plenty of shady places to sit on the green grass and rest a bit while enjoying the entertainment and clean, convenient restrooms - maybe they are only blue plastic portables, but at least they are clean. When it is time to leave you do not have too far to walk because the parking is nearby and getting out onto the highway is easy thanks to the courteous lot attendants who show you the way to the alternate exit.
Public domain photo (www.byways.org)
From the buying public's point of view maybe it is a lovely setting. Not many things are more pleasant than spending a warm summers day strolling along lines of clean, orderly and attractive booths, seeing beautiful items well displayed and chatting with friendly artisans who are selling their own wares. Not being jostled and pushed in a crush of people in too narrow aisles. Perhaps grabbing a bite to eat from the inviting, clean and well run food vendors, sitting down at a clean picnic table to enjoy your meal. No trash, no dust blowing up, plenty of shady places to sit on the green grass and rest a bit while enjoying the entertainment and clean, convenient restrooms - maybe they are only blue plastic portables, but at least they are clean. When it is time to leave you do not have too far to walk because the parking is nearby and getting out onto the highway is easy thanks to the courteous lot attendants who show you the way to the alternate exit.
Who wouldn't enjoy a day like that?
Did you notice how many times the word "clean" appeared in that narrative? It is amazing to me how many show producers fail that simple test. A trashy atmosphere casts an aura of seediness over even the best run show. Keep it clean. Hire high school kids to clean.
Now obviously that is a best case scenario. If anyone knows how to achieve that every time I would love to talk with them! The reality is somewhere nearer the middle simply because you cannot control everything it takes to create that ambiance - like the weather, for instance. Our idyllic scene will come off quite differently in a pouring rain or sudden windstorm. So we control what we can. Like the clean, for instance, no excuse for letting that one slip past you.
Everything mentioned above works for the vendors enjoyment, too. But they also appreciate having a full day before opening to set up (especially true at outdoor shows) and just love it that the space they contracted is exactly as promised. They enjoy the time each morning to set up, to enjoy the coffee and donuts at the vendor hospitality tent and get ready for a great day of selling, trusting in the fact that the producer doesn't let the public in early.
Since many of them are working solo they genuinely are grateful that the producer was thoughtful enough to send around attendants who can spell them for lunch and potty breaks, or offer to get change or bring a bottle of water. When the last day comes they wait until closing to start tearing down as the contract says, and appreciate that the show ended well enough before dark to allow them to tear down in daylight. The squad of polite, strong young helpers who offer to help load boxes, guide backing trailers and drop unwieldy tents is a nice touch, too.
Who wouldn't enjoy a day like that?
