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🐮 State & County Fairs: How the Show Must Go On, If It Can

posted July 27, 2020   category » Event Highlights

While so many fairs have folded for this year for reasons out of their control surrounding the pandemic, others have been able to reschedule, regroup, and reorganize to allow for new safety measures. Because state and county fairs are traditionally multifaceted with many different areas of entertainment and activities, they have the 'luxury' to keep components of their event while cutting out others. For most, this means no rides.

For the folks who only go to the fair for the amusement rides, they might choose to skip their beloved fair this summer or fall, but for the people who participate in the agriculture and livestock contests, arts and crafts, and live entertainment, fairs can often take place in our luckier states that are reopening safely.

The Kentucky State Fair won't let COVID keep it down.  Their plan to keep attendees safe is thorough, detailed, and carefully explained on their website. From wider, one-way aisles & reduced occupancy and added hand-washing stations to reduced hours to allow for thorough cleanings & increased outdoor areas, the Kentucky State Fair has adapted and evolved in these trying times.





The Wilson County Fair in Lebanon, TN, who is limiting its event to livestock contests and shows, has also published a set of safety rules and also require attendees to sign a waiver upon entry.


The Kearney County Fair in Minden, NE posted on their social media what to expect and what not.





Still more fairs are doing all kinds of virtual judging while allowing for exhibitors and competitors only in the expo centers because of the crowd limits in many states. Bar none, this is the most bizarre summer for fairs ever.


Many fairs scheduled for late summer are still in a wait and see pattern at this time and sadly some will have to cancel at the last minute depending on the state of the virus & the speed in which local governments are forced to switch on and off certain allowances.  It's a trying time from coast to coast for events of all types and FestivalNet continues to work hard to keep fairs updated on our website for all visitors.


Have a safe and happy summer, tilt-o-whirl or not.




💡 Where there's a will (and helpful guidelines!) there's a way!

posted July 27, 2020   category » Event Highlights

While we know there are states going back to Phase 1 and there will be no real world events this summer, others are in better shape. Larimer County in Colorado released very helpful and succinct COVID-19 event guidelines so that Art in the Park in Loveland can happen!

By the looks of a recent facebook post, the decision was quite last minute due to waiting on approval from the health department. As a result, it's not too late to apply to exhibit artwork at this fair, Colorado's longest running artisan event.



Check out the rules and procedures to get an idea of the "new normal" in public gatherings in Colorado.
  • Art in the Park will be running at 50% capacity.
  • The gate attendance will be limited and a wait may occur.
  • We will be posting live on Facebook: Loveland Art in the Park.
  • Proper Face Covering will be mandatory at all times
  • 6 ft social distancing at all times, small family groups are allowed.
  • We encourage frequent hand sanitizing
  • ASK to touch merchandise. Vendor will assist you.
  • There will be mandatory contract tracing at the gate. This is your name and phone number to be submitted to the Larimer County Health Department if there is a outbreak of the virus.


We are wishing the artists and attendees a wonderful show.


Where and When

August 8th & 9th 2020
North Lake Park
2750 N. Taft Ave.
Loveland, Colorado


Saturday 10am-5pm | Sunday 10am-4pm

Half Price Event Promotions! ⚡

posted July 24, 2020   category » FestivalNet News & Promotions
⚡ Flash Sale: Half Price Event Promotions! ⚡
Flash Sale

Hello FestivalNet member,

For TWO weeks only, enjoy HALF PRICE event promotions.  If your event gets rescheduled, we will extend your promotions! Just get in touch with us.

Head over to your Event Promotions page. We could use your support at this time and promise to keep working hard for you.

Thank you & have a beautiful weekend,

Julie and Sara
Your FestivalNet Event Marketing Team
(800) 200-3737

One Promoters Response: Meeting Artists Halfway in Lakewood, Colorado

posted July 14, 2020   category » Event Highlights

Hammered and Hung is an Event Based Art Gallery currently producing art festivals and farmers markets in Lakewood, Colorado. It's evident by their responses to COVID-19 that they are committed to ensuring that their local artists have a place to show and sell work this summer.


West Colfax Farmers Market

Their West Colfax Farmers Market is taking an awesome direction this season to show how much they care. Having realized what an impact COVID-19 is having on artists and vendors, they were quick to take action. They adjusted the monthly market season to run from June thru October in order to get past the stay at home requirements. They are also easing the burden by offering the market to vendors for free. That's right, no vendor fees but a donation is encouraged.


Who is Eligible to Participate in Farmers Markets
  • Growers of produce
  • Specialty Foods (honey, salsa & chili, bread, chili roasters, dips & sauces, jams & jellies etc.)
  • Coffees & Specialty Drinks
  • Crafts and Artisan made goods :(jewelry, apparel, sculpture, crochet, leather work etc.)
  • Bath, Body, and Spirit (bath bombs, CBD, lotions, candles, supplements, etc.)
Click the image for all the info and to support this awesome Colorado Farmer's Market.



Where and When

Lamar Station Plaza
6579 W. Colfax
Lakewood, CO 80214
Runs every Sunday thru October 18th 
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.





Heart of Art

An outdoor art festival also in Lakewood, Heart of Art will take place next month.

"We will take precautionary measures as recommended by the CDC to ensure that we are keeping everyone safe. We have made the decision to change this art fest from a fine art fest to include other artisans. All items will still be hand crafted, but we will not jury entries. H&H will continue to do what we can to support our struggling artists and vendors, therefore, we’ve lowered the price from $150 to $100 for a 10x10 booth."
- Event Website

By lowering their price and changing their event's model to be non-juried and open to all artist types, Heart of Art will be able to allow more makers to participate.

Have a look at their safety guidelines mandating masks, social distancing, and hand-washing stations. 





HEART OF ART IS CALLING FOR ARTIST and VENDORS:





Where and When

August 1st, 2020
12:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Lamar Station Plaza
6579 W. Colfax
Lakewood, CO 80214



Best wishes for a fun and fruitful summer to Hammered & Hung Events!
 


All the Bases: An Event that Rescheduled, Incorporated Virtual, & Changed Location For Social Distancing

posted July 9, 2020   category » Event Highlights

We've seen events scramble and we've seen events cancel. Some festivals are determined to support their participants & artists by providing an online platform for sales and entertainment, others believe that the internet can't do their event justice (or do not have the means) and have canceled for this year. Still more events have rescheduled from Spring to late Summer or beyond in the hopes that by then, there will be guidelines and allowances to congregate.





I want to highlight one event who has done the "three-step pandemic shuffle" and is covering all the bases to assure that their event can take place this year... They've rescheduled, they've integrated online components, AND have changed locations to allow for social distancing at the real-world event next month.

The Acworth Art Fest is a true celebration of vibrant art every spring in Acworth, Georgia. They rescheduled for August because of COVID, choosing a new location that will allow for adequate social distancing. Also, they have integrated with eventeny.com to produce a symbiotic online counterpart to their event! Kudos Splash Festival!!

"Acworth Art Fest will also be going VIRTUAL on August 10 through 17. We're also moving to Logan Farm Park, just a block from the historic downtown. The beautiful lawn will be the perfect backdrop for social distancing while shopping the whimsical and talented artisan wares from around the country. Their creative booth displays will charm you with paintings, pottery, metalwork, folk art, glass, jewelry, yard art and much more!"
-source: Event Website

The following very thorough and helpful list of safety enhancements for event reopening can be found on the Acworth Art Fest Website

COVID-19 Safety Enhancements for Event Reopening

Due to the pandemic, Splash Festivals, Inc. is following the CDC Festival guidelines as well as The Event Safety Alliance Reopening Guide published by the ESA (Event Safety Alliance) for all of the festivals we produce. Our goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable shopping experience while helping artists, one of the most economically affected groups by COVID-19. Your cooperation and support will help to ensure outdoor events can be held safely as we move forward. Therefore, we’ve implemented the following practices:

  • Hand sanitizers are being added to Festival sites
  • All exhibitors, staff, volunteers and food service workers are required to wear face masks and/or face shields. All attendees will be required to wear masks and/or face shields, as social distancing of six feet may not always be possible
  • Where available, dining tables will have increased spacing and cleaning
  • Where available, hospitality areas will have increased spacing and cleaning and be limited to food products which are either bottled or prepackaged in a Department of Agriculture certified facility
  • Portable toilets and restrooms will have increased cleaning
  • Volunteers, exhibitors and vendors will be checked in contactless
  • Festivals with tight footprints are being moved to parks which will allow increased spacing of tents and proper social distancing
  • Where children’s areas exist, increased spacing will be implemented. Children’s vendors will be required to practice required sanitary and spacing measures
  • Artist Market vendors will be on-line for pre-Festival browsing
  • Where available, performance stage microphones will be covered with disposable windshields during performances. Microphones will be disinfected between acts
  • Signs will be posted to remind attendees of the need to wear masks, proper social distancing and hand sanitizing or hand washing
  • Pets will not be allowed within the Festival areas
  • A sanitation monitor has been added to Festival Committee
  • We will be updating this list as rules change for Public Gatherings



Where and When

Acworth Art Fest


Logan Farm Park
4405 Cherokee St
Acworth, GA 30101

August 15 & 16, 2020
Saturday & Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM

Also Online!
https://www.eventeny.com/events/Acworth-Art-Fest-296/

"Covid-Aware" Precautions from One Summer Show 🌞

posted July 7, 2020   category » Event Highlights



This month, the Urban Artist Market in Irving, Texas is happening with extra special care.


The Urban Artist Market is an indoor curated show taking place on July 17-18 in Irving, Texas at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, which will feature artisans in a variety of disciplines selling their original work.

Attendees will be delighted and amazed by a variety of distinctive, one-of-a-kind creations in 2D painting, ceramics, pottery, mosaic, stained and fused glass, fiber art, book art, photography, sculpture, jewelry, collage, mixed media and much, much more.

Shop original art in a Covid-aware environment! Enforced 50% capacity with limited tickets sold per hour,sanitation stations, one-way directional traffic, and mask requirement means better safety for artists and buyers.  source: Urban Artist Market Website


Below, read about all the ways this Texas Art and Craft Show is keep everyone safe and protected. This list is a terrific beacon of hope of how shows can move forward being covid-aware to allow people to congregate safely so we can support our beloved artists and crafters during this difficult time.




URBAN ARTIST MARKET SAFETY PROTOCOL

The Urban Artist Market has implemented several procedural changes to ensure safety of our exhibitors and attendees.

  1. We’ve relocated the show to the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas because the Grand Ballroom offers more floor space.
  2. More space means extra wide aisles and the ability to create a one-way traffic flow through the show room floor; with only one entrance and one exit.
  3. We’re selling tickets online before the event in 2-hour slots to ensure a limited amount of traffic on the show floor at any given time. We have calculated the amount of people permitted in the Grand Ballroom to ensure 6 foot distancing recommendations and will monitor entrance in any given time slot. However, walk-in tickets will be sold when admission quotas have not been exceeded.
  4. The Urban Artist Market has expanded their open hours to spread out traffic evenly over the 2-day event.
  5. Our exhibitors will wear masks throughout the event whenever anyone is near their booth footprint. All attendees will be required to wear masks upon entering the hall.
  6. Disposable masks will be available at the entrance for attendees who have not brought their own mask.
  7. Hand sanitizer stations will be positioned at the entrance and throughout the show floor.
  8. The Irving Convention Center provides detailed Safety and Sanitation protocols in alignment with public health authorities, medical and industry experts. For detailed information, click here https://www.irvingconventioncenter.com/about/safety-sanitation/
  9. The Urban Artist Market will not be passing appetizers or drinks during the July event, however, the Irving Convention Center will be providing a snack stand with glass barriers in the main lobby that adheres to safety standards.
  10. On Saturday, July 18, the show will open 10-12 noon to provide early shopping access for immune compromised and our community 65 years of age and up. Masks will be required on all exhibitors and attendees in that time slot.
  11. Shoppers will be encouraged to limit touch to art that they are purchasing. Exhibitors will promote “touch-free” shopping with signage in their booth.


Where And When:

July 17 - 18, 2020
Irving Convention Center
Irving, TX 75039

Tickets:
https://www.urbanartistmarket.com/attend-july/

How Art on The Rockies Is Making it Work!

posted July 7, 2020   category » Event Highlights
FestivalNet Featured Event Vail's Art on the Rockies is this weekend!


Art on the Rockies is loved by the community as the sweet balance of a casual yet upscale art event. Fittingly for a mountain gathering, Art on the Rockies boasts a lively outdoor environment in the Vail Valley. Meet nationally renowned artists and appreciate the variety of arts and fine crafts on the grounds of Colorado Mountain College in Edwards. The event starts Friday, July 10th at 10am, and features free admission, food and beverages, free children’s art area and a silent art auction benefiting the Vail Valley Arts League.
source: Art on the Rockies Website


Here are the measures they are taking to ensure everyone's safety according to Vail Daily News.

  • Social distancing measures were designed into the event’s new outside format.
  • Each artist’s booth is 10 feet apart from the next, and they will have ample room to exit the booth from one side when needed.
  • Aisles between booths are more than 30 feet wide, and markers will be out to direct two-way directional pedestrian traffic.
  • Guests and artists are required to wear face masks when a 6 foot distance cannot be maintained, and each booth will have sanitization products, both for guest use and to disinfect any object that may be handled by visitors.




"Be kind, wear your mask, visit with your favorite artists, support original, local art, enjoy the sunshine, celebrate community at Art on the Rockies!" -
Art on the Rockies Artist Jennifer Hammond


Bravo Art on the Rockies! Way to keep the show alive and we wish you all the best this weekend!


When and Where:

Friday July 10 - Sunday July 12, 2020
10-5 Daily
Free Admission

Freedom Park
300 Miller Ranch Rd
Edwards, CO

A Letter from the Events Database Manager

posted July 1, 2020   category » covid-19

These past few months have brought an unprecedented challenge to maintain the constantly changing event information on FestivalNet. Promoters are in a very difficult position to make decisions far enough in advance to coordinate vendors and venues while trying to make a profit without endangering the public. Decisions can and often do, change overnight.

We are having to go back and double check the current 2020 events, which has put us behind on updating last year's event listings on our site. We are hopeful that we will be able to get more events updated as states are opening up and we are finding future 2020 and 2021 dates on the events websites.

We have always taken pride in keeping our listings as up-to-date and correct as possible so that we can help you all plan your schedule for the year. We are confident that we provide the most consolidated up to date event information on the web. Despite the obvious financial impact we have undergone, we have increased our staff in an attempt to continue to bring our members the most current event information possible. We apologize if some event listings have not been up to the standards that you have come to expect.

Please know that we will continue to work diligently to update listings and remove the ones that we know are not taking place. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.

How One Summer Art Festival Changed Gears

posted June 30, 2020   category » Event Highlights

In 2020, it's not 'art fair as usual' for the Sawdust Summer Art Festival in Laguna Beach who has  responded to our current social landscape by downsizing this year. State and county health guidelines have helped morph the Sawdust Art Festival into an ongoing weekend Outdoor Marketplace instead of its traditional summer festival.

"Our first priority is the health and wellbeing of our artists, staff, and patrons. Knowing that even a modified version of our annual festival would not meet reopening criteria, our board of directors quickly pivoted in a different direction", stated Monica Prado, President of the Sawdust Board of the Directors.



Sawdust Summer Festival

Under an outdoor eucalyptus grove, artists will uniquely configure their space to allow for social distancing; more than 100 Sawdust artists will rotate through over the course of the summer.
Sawdust has taken all the necessary steps to keep everyone safe.

"Art is essential. Artists are Innovators. Over the past months we have focused our passion and creativity on finding a way to open a safe and meaningful show for our artists, community and guests. This year, Sawdust Art Festival is proud to present a smaller more personal Weekend Outdoor Marketplace, giving patrons the feeling of safety while whisking them into a world filled with art. Art allows us to be at peace, to enjoy the present, and to respond to the beauty in front of us. Smaller, but more personal." - Event Website


Bravo Sawdust! Way to stay current and take swift action to keep your event alive this year. 



When and Where

Sawdust Festival Presents an Outdoor Marketplace 

935 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach,
CA 92651

Weekends, July 17 - September 6, 2020

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 10am to 6pm

sawdustartfestival.org


 

Celebrating Festival Food Carts During COVID

posted June 25, 2020   category » Festival Food Vendors


One thing that remains "essential" during social distancing is that we all need to eat.

Festival food vendors might not be able to bring their businesses online like their artist, crafter and musician counterparts, but many have found ways to bring their businesses out to their neighborhoods and feed families. And so many others are trying new things to stay afloat during COVID.  We wanted to highlight many of our food vending members who are doing just that.



Keep Calm and Eat at a Food Truck


"Oh My Pizza Pie" in Austin, TX offered buy one get one free pizzas. The free pizza was for anyone that could use it in this crisis time like Healthcare workers, people out of work, & older people who can't leave home. "People would drive through, put money or check in a box (we didn't make change to avoid handling money) and get the pizzas without getting out of the car. This was posted and shared many times on facebook and was successful."


Garden Garlic Seasoning owner Lauren Falcione in Broadview Heights, OH is now selling her goods wholesale to grocery stores.


"My seasonal gelato business will start in May with home deliveries using the food truck for small groups of people. Not sure when the festivals and food truck gatherings will start back up, so trying to downscale my audience with private orders." - Coppa Magica Gelato - Kathryn Kelley,  Portsmouth, ME


Ah’Leisha Cole (Ah’Leisha’s Cookie Co. LLC) in Prairie Village, Missouri is baking from home and delivering or shipping items to customers relying heavily on her Facebook page.


Kona Ice of Boulder's Christopher Geurden in Erie, CO is driving around neighborhoods with his shaved ice truck.

Gold Swan Lemonade owner Brian H. Self in Wake Forest, NC is offering Street Vending and has incorporated online ordering & delivery.


Mother Truckin Pizza Food Truck owner Kellie Ride in Jacksonville, FL is serving neighborhood family dinners from our food truck.  They've added online pre orders that allow for designated pick up times to aid in social distancing.


Partnering with brick and mortar businesses is a popular option. Gess What’s Cookin owner Dave Gess in Naperville, MN did just that. "Found a local spot with one of our Breweries, We are actually doing decent as a few of our local restaurants were closed."


Stargazers Gourmet, Starla Gade in Corvallis, OR:  "Updated web site, created some specials, a few regular events promoting vendors. Local delivery & still donated about $2000 worth of fudge to several folks helping our community. So much better than throwing it out."  


The Cruisin' Chef, Alanna Lieber in Mount Pleasant, Michigan: "We began creating "Heat & Eat" meals for people to preorder or pick up 3 days per week. These are full meals that simply need to be warmed in the microwave. They are delicious and just like a homecooked meal without the effort. We also designate 1 day each week for home delivery within our area for those who can not, or are afraid to, get out. We wear protective masks and gloves when in contact with any customers. The price of the meals includes tax and is a flat rate of $10 each so change is minimal. We keep all incoming cash separate and hand wash it each evening in hot soapy bleach water, rinse individually and lay out to dry. Our card reader is sanitized between each customer and we now accept checks. For days the truck is setup, we are drive through only and one of us goes out to each vehicle to take the order and deliver. Again, protective gear is worn at this time. Keeping our customers safe and fed are our top priorities."


Jay Stafford of California Cuisine in Cameron Park, CA is building a website that will offer custom spices and herbal blends.





To all food vendors getting creative and trying new things right now, our hats are off to you!

Keep truckin', and cooking up good ideas! Thank you.

Craft Fair Vendor Blues? Three Things to Work On This Summer

posted June 24, 2020   category » Craft Fair Vendor Resources

Got the COVID-crazy Craft Fair Vendor Blues? Stay Busy! Here are some tips on using this downtime to drum up business, expand your reach, and help keep your business going.

#1 Take Good (or Better) Photos. One thing it takes to be a successful craft fair vendor these days is great photography of your handiwork. When your customer is not in person to see and touch your artwork, the photo must convey it properly. It doesn’t take a lot of money or expensive equipment to do this, please check out this short article on ways to take better pictures of your craft.  Here’s another oldie but goodie on the importance of great photos for craft fair vendors.

#2 Do the Social Media Thing! Many Craft Fairs might be closed this summer, but the internet is open 24/7. If you want your craft business to survive during social distancing, participating in social media as a business is simply unavoidable. There’s no way around it. People are on social media more often than individual websites or even reading their email. You want to be where the people are. Using hashtags to let folks find what you do, using strong photography and helpful descriptions, and offering sales and discounts are ways to bring in business. There are endless resources online with guidance for being effective in social media. Invest in yourself by learning and putting what you learn into action! Here’s an article about using Instagram for your Business. Don’t stop there, look and see what other craft fair vendors are doing to drum up business with social media. 



image @rawpixel


#3 Set up (or Freshen up) your FestivalNet Profile which includes a Photo Gallery and Shop.  It’s free and comes with your membership (a small commission is charged when you make a sale, go here for all the details for selling online). Once you’ve taken those good photos of your craft and have a social media presence going, what’s left is the platform for folks to buy your crafts. We want to see Craft Fair vendors selling in our online Festival of Finds this summer!

Thanks for reading and wishing you all the best!

Goodbye to Sugarloaf Festivals 😢

posted June 18, 2020   category » Event Highlights

FestivalNet has been around since 1996 so we have seen our fair share of companies and events come and go over the years. This past week, a company that has been producing quality craft festivals since the 1970's has gone out of business & it struck me as exceptionally sad. 

I wanted to take a minute and to just share publicly that FestivalNet will miss Sugarloaf. I would like to think that we forged a loyal business relationship over the years. Their team always updated their event listings on time and advertised in our newsletters year after year.  Their logo was a steady constant when you scrolled through our Call for Artist listings. And they had a 5-star promoter rating. Sugarloaf was a class act in a league of their own producing quality craft festivals.




Thank you Sugarloaf for the wonderful years and we wish all your people the very best.

Please read their goodbye letter here on their homepage. I am pasting it here as well:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Friends,

When Sugarloaf Craft Festivals began in 1975, we set out to offer talented American artists a low overhead market where they could display and sell their original creations to our local community. Out of this idea came a beautiful arts community.  Artists and patrons interacted and became friends.  Communities embraced the artists and respected their talents.  We are proud to have created this welcoming community where all could have fun, be inspired, and escape from the day to day troubles of life.

For 45 years, we have been in awe of our artists’ talents and creativity and resiliency. We have all shared joys, and sadness, and watched each other grow. We have seen children fall in love with art at Sugarloaf and return as artists themselves as adults. We’ve survived through wars, recessions, terrorist attacks, political upheaval, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards and more. Through it all, Sugarloaf has fostered community connections and friendships that will last a lifetime. 

Unfortunately, the global pandemic sparking cancellations of large public gatherings makes it impossible for our business to continue. Our exhibitors have not done a show since early March and are not signing up for future shows due to the uncertainty of when or if shows will be allowed to operate.  With no cash flow coming in, even a well-managed company cannot survive indefinitely. Sadly, today we must announce that Sugarloaf Craft Festivals will close.

Thank you for your years of support. We will miss you all.

With love,

Sugarloaf Craft Festivals


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Thank you. Sending virtual hugs!
Julie


Gifts Of Heart: One Art Fair’s Response

posted June 12, 2020   category » Virtual Festivals



The Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF) has been happening every second weekend in July since 1961, rain or shine, in the heart of downtown Toronto. Social Distancing wasn't going to prevent Canada's leading contemporary outdoor art fair from supporting their artists and
art lovers that would otherwise flock to Toronto. All over the world, people can virtually attend 10 days of Art, Awards, and other virtual events at TOAF's First Online Art Fair, July 2–12.

But this article isn't about their online art fair alone. TOAF created a dual-initiative response to COVID, a meaningful and impacting gesture to not only realistically support their 300+ participating artists but also spread the joy of art to the healthcare workers in their city.





"
In this time of crisis, we felt that a gift of art could bring real joy and excitement to members of our community who are keeping us safe and allowing us to continue doing our work. Gifts of Heart is a way for our many devoted Fair-goers and art lovers to join us in doing something truly special for our artists, while honouring those frontline essential workers to whom we owe so much. So far we have had a wonderful reaction to the Gifts of Heart Program and raised $10,000 in the first week - that’s 40 gift cards for frontline workers already," Anahita Azrahimi, Executive & Creative Director, TOAF.

100% of the money raised goes directly to the artists while frontline healthcare workers will be able enjoy a 'gift card' to spend at the Online Art Fair! It's a beautiful win-win to help artists while showing the endearing love and appreciation we all feel for healthcare workers during this pandemic.

If TOAF reaches their goal to raise $100,000, they will be able to offer gifts to 400 frontline workers. This will also provide an income of $100,000 for their participating artists. The healthcare workers gifted will be able to shop for artwork at the online fair through the TOAF website.

"There will be a wonderful selection of paintings, photography, drawing, jewelery, ceramics, and so much more around the $250 price range for them to choose from," Azrahimi explains.

These days, we look for the helpers, the heroes and the initiatives which bring joy and positivity to those who need it most. We hope when we look back at this era in our lives, these are the stories we remember. To date, there is one month left to help TOAF reach their goal. If you are able, we invite you to donate.

Go to https://torontooutdoor.art/donate/gifts-of-heart & make a tax-deductible donation today.

Virtual Fairs & Festivals? But are They FUN?

posted June 8, 2020   category » Virtual Festivals

Pre-COVID, FestivalNet had always included online gallery and exhibition shows. There were only a handful of such virtual events in the database. They would pop up when members would do a zip code radius search. A couple that have been around for years include the Creative Quarterly & the Black Heritage Art Show.

Online art events are not for everyone but can be a great way to connect, network, make sales, win awards, and otherwise ramp up your business.
Competitions and gallery events are one thing to do relatively easily online, but what about fairs and festivals?  How can fairs and festivals allow for artists to make money? How can attendees shop for art and crafts? And, how can it still be... FUN?!

Disclaimer #1: I do think Art and Craft fairs have it much easier than Music Festivals at going virtual.
Disclaimer #2: I really feel for the festival food vendors who can't sell much of anything on the web!

Fairs and festivals are meant to be experienced. The energy you can feel among a crowd of like-minded individuals can not be duplicated in the safety of your home. However, during these times of social distancing, joining together online has become necessary so we don't lose touch with our communities & customers.

I recently "attended" a beloved local festival online (See blog post). It was bitter sweet!  It felt good to watch the Poetry Slam online (they used a combination of Facebook Live and Zoom), it was cool to catch some performances for a few minutes here and there over the weekend, and check out the creative contributions people made, including my daughter's slideshow! (She's been going to LEAF all her life and the festival director, a friend of ours, asked her to contribute!) To see how V-LEAF did their thing, they've archived the festival, have a look at the schedule from one day, it's impressive!

Ultimately, I praise their incredible dedication to make this happen but everyone involved would agree it couldn't possibly get close to replacing the real thing. It's all about people's energy that creates the magic, the festival food and loud music and unique art, the smells, the sounds, the visual stimulation at every turn. That energy can only be felt together. While it wasn't 'fun' per se, it touched my heart.

What I realized is... it's not really about the FUN that we can only manifest when we're in person. It's about banding together. It's about the bitter sweet. It's about doing something to show your audiences that we're all trying our best right now to just keep going.



Virtual Ojai Music Festival

Take what Ojai Music Festival is doing. This coming weekend, their online event will feature insightful conversations with special guests interspersed with video and music excerpts, and other unique virtual offerings.

They are even calling it their 'virtual edition'... in HONOR of their 74th festival. To honor their event in this way is giving their people a taste of the music, the conversation, the connection, and more importantly, a reminder that we will be back. It's an invitation for guests to hold on to the things we love and look forward to getting back one day.

Another event I recently attended online was the Renegade Virtual Fair

For this online craft fair, there was a 'portal' on their website, with a grid of all the participating artists. Renegade had a simple but elegant system in place to offer a seamless experience. At one point, I plugged in to the fair on both my laptop and my phone because I didn't want to leave one 'booth' but wanted to check out more of the fair! Something you surely can not do in person.




There's something very human about watching an artist do their thing "live", showing up in their creative vulnerable glory. That feeling of connectedness did shine through when I would comment on their live feed with my positive feedback and emojis & they could reply to me in real-time. ❤️ 

Again, that tender feeling of we are all 'doing our best' really pulled on my heart strings.

I would like to explain this experience a little more in case anyone is curious how it worked! If the above roster was 'live' right now during the weekend's craft fair, there would be an "O" for "online" under each artist, and if you clicked on that, you were taken directly to their LIVESTREAM channel, where they were working in their studio, offering demonstrations, explaining their goods and crafts, or other creative "performances". (There are so many ways to livestream: Instagram, Facebook Live, YouTube, Twitch, Vimeo, Google Hangouts, & YouNow. Most artists seemed to prefer Twitch and Instagram). In addition to the "O" for online, there was also a link to their website and social.  Finally, there was a 'featured' artist on rotation livestreaming on the fair's main page giving everyone a chance to shine. I really enjoyed checking out all the online artists in the portal. I encourage you all to attend the Virtual Craft Fair coming up on June 26th.

To discover how fairs and festivals are bringing their events online, take a look around at many listed on FestivalNet coming up soon! 

Online and Virtual Fairs and Festivals

Hang in there, and we're thinking about you all.

One Artist's Inspirational Idea: "OnePerson OneTent" Craft Fair

posted May 28, 2020   category » Inspiration


"I love setting up my tent and doing shows, and I am not letting COVID-19 take that from me!"
-  Edie Harlin  -



When we asked our members how they are getting creative right now to keep their spirits and businesses afloat, we were touched by all the responses that flooded in. One artist that turned our heads was Edie Harlin who produced a "OnePerson OneTent" Craft Fair in her front yard last month.






If anyone can innovate and think outside the box, it is the artist. If you have the inventory, the tent, and the will to succeed, it is surely a well-ventured risk to take. Taking advantage of your social media, email list, and foot-traffic could mean earning some cash and the great feeling of accomplishing something new.

"I did as well as I would have done at any 2 day event. It was a lot of fun. I donated a large portion of my earnings to a local food charity," says Harlin.

People that do not live in well-populated neighborhoods can ask a friend or local business about hosting their own personal craft fair in their "front yard".

"We have a lot of people who walk thru our neighborhood, so there was a ton of foot traffic. I was busy all day, both days. And people are asking when I am doing it again," says Harlin.

How did she keep people feeling comfortable to stop by and shop?

"I had hand sanitizer and wipes on hand, customers social distanced and waited their turn, and I took Venmo for payment for those who wanted contactless payment."

We applaud you, Edie Harlin! What have you done to get creative during COVID? Comment below!






For more about Edie Harlin, Please visit her website or Instagram

🌱 Gardening for our Time

posted May 26, 2020   category » Inspiration

A renewed interest in gardening speaks to the times we are living in right now. With social activities curtailed, many people are spending more time at home. Maybe we’re looking around our yard more or spending time on the porch or balcony. Certainly we are cooking at home more. We are looking at activities that can not only keep us busy at home, but engage the family and even perform an educational experience.

WHY

Gardening is the perfect answer. It can be done on any scale. From a few pots of herbs in the kitchen to digging up the backyard and planting a vegetable garden, there is a garden activity for everyone. Learning to grow plants, whether vegetables, herbs or ornamentals like flowers, houseplants or succulents is a skill that anyone can learn. If you have time on your hands and you are looking for ways to engage children, learning about gardening is the perfect study.

The information is readily available and easy to understand. The cost is low to get started, compared to many other hobbies. And the results are rewarding.




HOUSEPLANTS


Growing plants takes many forms. Houseplants add life, greenery and oxygen to our indoor environment. Tropical type plants do well indoors because many of them grow natively in forests, so the indoor low light circumstance suits them just fine. Other indoor plants need more light and can be grown on tables near a window or windowsills. The attention plants need can help us see beyond ourselves and give care to another being. Plants respond to being cared for and it’s fulfilling to watch a plant thrive and grow.

Succulents make perfect houseplants because many need water only occasionally, are not prone to problems and come in many shapes, colors and textures.


HERBS


With more people preparing food at home, there is a renewed interest in herbs. Growing herbs is a natural extension of the cooking process. Fresh herbs add flavor and depth to many dishes. Learning to use them is like learning a new language, experimenting with new flavors. If you’re into having a Virtual Cocktail Hour, using herbs in beverages is a fun way to try something new. Keeping just a few pots of herbs in the kitchen or nearby outdoors is a great way to garden with a purpose without a lot of space.

Interest in the health properties of herbs has also surged during this time. Studying the health and wellness aspects of herbs can be the study of a lifetime. But, there are simple ways herbs can help improve our daily lives. Knowing the herbs is key. Learning about their properties is fulfilling and fascinating.


VEGETABLES


Vegetable growing can be done on a small or large scale. Many vegetables do well in containers on a porch or balcony. It is possible to grow vegetables indoors, but they need a lot of light which generally involves grow lights. Outdoors, salad vegetables don’t take up a lot of space and having your own fresh lettuce, cucumbers and even cherry tomatoes for a salad cannot be overestimated.

If you grow a large garden with a good yield, either your neighbors and family will benefit or you will eventually learn about preserving vegetables by freezing or canning. And, a whole new world open up.


BENEFITS


Caring for even a small garden or a few containers outdoors can provide a much needed break from working, worrying or feeling shut in. Being out in the air is beneficial in many ways. We get Vitamin D from sunshine. We breath non-filtered air. We can hear the sounds around us- birds, if we are fortunate to have them nearby. City sounds may not seem as pleasant as birds, but they are the sounds of life, too.

Getting out of ourselves and losing ourselves in plants is rejuvenating. It’s a feeling of accomplishment. It’s something we can “do” during a time when so much seems out of our control.


FINAL THOUGHTS


That’s not to say there aren’t sometimes problems with the plants. Occasionally unwanted pests attack our plants. They may be insects of some variety, a disease or even critters like rabbits, deer or an exuberant puppy. There are solutions to all these issues.

Here is where the joy of learning comes in. A problem in gardening is an opportunity to learn more about our plants and their environment. Learning more about how they grow, what keeps them healthy and how we can do the most possible to help them grow their best is an ongoing process. It’s a life long study.

The best thing about gardening is there’s always another season to look forward to. If the heat or torrential rains or hail or rabbits damage our garden plants, we think about how we can solve the problem next time. Our world is always in flux, always changing, and that’s certainly true in the garden world. There is risk in life. There is risk in growing plants. We can lower the risk that our plants won’t survive through educating ourselves and paying attention to the plants themselves. They will tell us what they need. We just need to be able to listen to them and respond.



Article Courtesy of FestivalNet Member and Guest Blog Author Cindy Meredith, Owner of The Herb Cottage in rural Texas. She spends her time taking care of the plants, answering gardening questions and enjoying life in the country. Contact Cindy at cindy@theherbcottage.com

Festival Vendors Struggle Through COVID-19

posted May 21, 2020   category » covid-19




Festival Vendors Struggle Through COVID-19

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2020

Julie Cochrane, Operations Manager

FestivalNet.com

800-200-3737  

Julie@FestivalNet.com

 

Festival Vendors in Search of Options

Almost 50% of vendors surveyed rely on events for all income

 

Raleigh, NC.  FestivalNet.com announces results of their May 2020 COVID-19 impact study. With more than 3,500 responded, the survey uncovered the challenges and creativity of being a festival vendor or performer.

 

Full survey results: https://festivalnet.com/blog/FestivalNet-Survey-Response-4196




Some quotes from our members:

 

“Unfortunately like many vendors, our products sell best when they can be seen in person, touched...tried on. I think online shows are going to be a big part of the new norm, but the in person are SO much better, especially the music festivals." - Craftsperson Lori Trafford, Montana

 

"I am a henna artist which requires me to be within 1 foot or less of a client in order to do my artwork on their body. With social distancing this is impossible, and I don't foresee people being comfortable sitting that close for at least 2 years..." - Lisa Paulger, Jacksonville Beach, Florida

 

About FestivalNet.com: Founded in 1996, FestivalNet serves festival vendors, artists, craftspeople, musicians, event promoters and visitors throughout North America. With more than 300,000 members, we provide detailed event information for more than 26,000 events and tools to help our community connect to make events successful. 



########

🌎 Please Take our Event Impact Survey

posted May 19, 2020   category » covid-19
🌎 Please Take our Event Impact Survey
FestivalNet All Member News

FestivalNet.com is requesting all hands on deck from event promoters at this time. Please take a few minutes and complete this survey.

Your participation will help us paint the picture of the impact of COVID-19 across the events industry in North America. The data we compile will be part of a report that we will publish with the purpose of bringing our community closer together.

Go to Survey
If someone else is better suited for this survey, please forward this email to that person.

Thanks so much!

Julie Cochrane
Operations Manager
FestivalNet.com
 

FestivalNet Survey Response

posted May 18, 2020   category » covid-19


Crisis to Community:

Artist & Vendor COVID Survey Results Summary


Since 1996, FestivalNet.com has maintained a database of North American fairs and festivals, offering extensive event details for the exhibiting artist, performer, and vendor. We pride ourselves with providing the most event information from coast to coast and serving our members year after year by meeting their event research needs. As COVID-19 raged, changing every aspect of life as we knew it, Festivalnet.com hoped to gain an understanding of the impact and reach of this global health crisis within our community by conducting a business impact survey.

We've read every single reply. To all those who participated, we hear you loud and clear. Something that stood out to us when reading your feedback is people have a desire to connect. Tell their story. Be heard. We hope our response helps move our community closer together than ever before

To make that hope a reality, we're exploring new and creative ways to serve you with the intention of helping our community survive this most challenging of times, even as our country struggles to find ways to safely allow group gatherings.  

For many, dealing with this pandemic unfolded in stages starting with denial and often culminating in some form of productivity and a plan. FestivalNet member Mark Taylor described his experience:
 

“We simply sat down and said to ourselves we can sit here and feel sorry for ourselves...or we can get our butts into the studio and figure out how to reinvent ourselves and at least survive this event." - IDEA Studio, Hilton Head, SC

While survey responses are still coming in and we might reevaluate our data again, at the time of exporting these results, 3,494 people across the United States and parts of Canada identify in the following ways:  

2020 Pandemic Resources

posted May 15, 2020   category » covid-19