We were doing the Gloucester Waterfront festival in Massachusetts last weekend wnd it was an absolutely gorgeous day on saturday... until a micro burst hit us. 20 of the 200 canopies and displays were either heavily damaged or completely destroyed, including ours. Winds were clocked at 68 MPH coming in off the water and we were right on the edge with the back of our canopy facing the water.
After what seemed like an eternity of hanging on for dear life things quieted down and we were able to survey the damage. But what happened after that was amazing. Not only did we have a multitude of complete strangers rush to our aid because they saw my wife in her wheelchair inside a destroyed canopy and a whole row of destruction, the promoter (Castleberry Fairs) was there in an instant to help clean up and make sure there were no injuries, and thankfully everyone was fine although a bit shaken up.
Then Terry from Castleberry did something very unusual for a promoter. She contacted all the local newspspaers and the local FOX affiliate and sent them pictures of the devistation. The TV station sent out a reporter and she gave an interview fgor the 10 o'clock news showing him around. But she did it not for a news release, but to ADVERTIZE the fact the show is also going to be going on the following day from 9 am until 6 pm and although some exhibitors may not be back, there were still another "180 artists and craftsmen selling 100% American made work" and invited the viewers to come on out and support these artists and craftsmen.
It worked. Sunday was a great day for sales!
Replies
Chris, thanks for a great story. This helps to restore our faith in mankind. There are truly good people out there.
I am glad you and your wife were ok.
Good for Terry! I can't believe there are two stories on this site this week about the good work and generosity of the promoters (also at Woodlands in KY). It is so important to celebrate all those people who make this business their business to provide venues where we can earn a living. I'd guess that would be 98% of them.
Sounds like Terry is a very savvy promoter.
(Once upon a time we did a show at this site in Gloucester, or nearby. The show was set up in two sections divided by a waterway with a bridge that would go up for incoming watercraft. The bridge got stuck "up" during the show, so we watched all the activity on the other side, but still appreciated being in this lovely town in the summer.)
I know exactly where you're talking about.
That drawbridge is the busiest drawbridge in New England. It raises when a outboard with a tall fishing pole is sticking up as it's so close to the water level.
We did the show on that divided sidewalk and when the bridge was raised, people would get out of their cars and shop, and get back in their car when the bridge lowered. And since it raised about 4 times an hour we always had a steady stream of new customers.
Chris...I am glad to hear you and your wife are OK but sad to hear about the damage. Tents and merchandise can be replaced...however frustrating and aggravating it might be. How extensive was your damage?
The canopy is toast. But that's part of doing business. I used a table to prop up the bad leg so I could continue selling Sunday. We'll look into the price of the replacement parts verses getting another one by the next show. I lost about 30% of my stock, but then again there's nothing I can do about it since I'll gladly lose the stock rather than have the canopy come down on my wife!
I'll look into filing a claim with RLI but since the canopy is a cheapie, and it's now 3 years old, I think a new unit will be less than the deductible, and since my costs are about 10% of retail price, again what kind of claim do I have? I have the insurance for the liability factor first and foremost.
I will say though, if I still had my KD Canopy that I used for over 25 years, it would have survived with little to no damage since it has been through weather like that a couple of times and the most damage I ever had was a slightly bent leg.
I paid $875 for it in 1987. I just looked up what $875 is today and that canopy would cost $1800 in todays dollars.
You can see some of the damage at facebook.com/castleberryfairs