Three shows I'm interested in are all scheduled for May 10/11. They are Buckhead Spring Arts and Crafts Festival (Atlanta), Barefoot in the Park Fine Art Festival (Duluth, GA), and Lake Norman Fine Art Festival (Huntersville, NC). The application deadlines are staggered enough that I will find out whether or not I'm accepted at Buckhead prior to the deadlines to apply to the other two shows.
My question is; How would you art fair veterans rate these three festivals against each other? If I am accepted for Buckhead, should I still apply at one or both of the others because it/they would be a better festival than Buckhead?
Some background info…My specialty is photography. This will be my first 'big' fair (I've done a couple of very small local ones). Atlanta and Duluth are a 3-4 hour drive for me, Huntersville is 6-7 hours. The Lake Norman booth fee is $395 vs. $200 for the other two.
Thanks! I've gleaned a lot of great info from all of you Insiders since I signed up!
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I did quite well at Lake Norman last year. Unfortunately I was expecting it to be late April like it was last year and not May so I applied and was accepted to a different show on that weekend. There is definitely money in the area judging on the cars that I saw in the parking lot. I don't know anything about the other two.
I would NOT drive 6-7 hours to attend a show as a person relatively new to the business. I've not heard of the other two, so would be inclined to try for Buckhead. If you live in a small town it will give you some time in a larger city, see more of other people's booths and get a feeling for what the urban crowd may be seeking or interested in. I think you could take many lessons away from this. Buckhead is a very nice community also.
Thanks Connie. Just found out I was accepted for Buckhead.
Only reason I am considering the 6-7 hour drive to NC is I have a cousin in Asheville I could visit coming or going.
I think the Lake Norman and Duluth art fairs are 1/3 to 1/2 the size of Buckhead.
I still have a few days to decide whether or not to apply to either one.
Now you give me extenuating circumstances! A cousin ... if you can cut expenses, visit family, that helps a lot. That is one of the good things and always gets weighed in choices.
Is the Lake Norman show near Charlotte? in a pretty affluent area?
The Lake Norman show is near Charlotte.
Just to chime in, this is one of Bill Kinney's Paragon shows. Small, bordering on "boutique" show. Lots of money in Lake Norman.
Thanks Geoff!
I guess I should have added that little tidbit to my background! I don't think it will cut the expenses much as she is not close enough to stay with the night between fair days.
The Lake Norman show is just north of Charlotte. Here is a blurb from the show description: "Huntersville is in the community of Lake Norman, one of the richest and most exclusive markets in the Greater Charlotte area. Birkdale Village is a life-style venue with numerous restaurants, stores, cafes, apartments, townhouses, and private residences. The show sets up on the beautiful tree-lined Concourse through the middle of Birkdale Village. Our Lake Norman event is well-received by the public."