Member Barbara Bloom just told me that the 47th Annual Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Festival in Cambridge, Ohio, was cancelled. The cancellation of a long running show is upsetting to the participants and the people who attend. So, just for your information, I thought it would be interesting for you to read the responses to this cancellation on their Facebook page, Salt Fork Arts and Crafts Festival
(sorry computer problems today are making it impossible for me to copy that link)
What do you think?
Replies
Their facebook page said it was cancelled and there were 3 major events in town that weekend. Seems like a little competition for the crowds is the reason for cancelling...unless they give some further details/reasons.
It said the board came to decision and took for them in 2016...so it is apparently not a permanent cancellation... I've never done this show but It will be interesting to hear the thoughts of artists (and others) planning to be there...especially since it was a last minute cancellation of a show only a week away
I found the back and forth interesting. My reading is they are saying it is the other events, yet the comments said that was fine, those events weren't really competition. What it looks like to me is that they are stretched thin and need help to make this continue to be successful. Several times they asked for input and for people to come to meetings ... that seemed to be the problem, they didn't have the manpower. Does it sound like that to you?
Cancelled this year or has the show gone away forever?
I'm not going to read the Facebook page, but artists who have already paid their booth fees should get a full refund or have the option of 50% back and a 50% discount making them jury exempt for next years show. Giving everyone a free space the following year doesn't work because the show needs the operating money or they will have to double the size of the show. Bethesda Row made that mistake when they cancelled because of the DC sniper.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100