Help! Need to do a show in Florida in September....

I hate this part of the process...deciding on art shows so many months in advance. So, I've done Jekyll Island Shrimp and Grits for a couple of years. Average show, but I love the location. Last year was hurricane, so they refunded booth fee, but notice this year their verbage clearly states...NO REFUNDS FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER OR ACTS OF GOD. It's scaring me off! Only other possibilities in September for me are Delray Beach or Punta Gorda,both many more miles, and both Howard Alan. Now, I know he does refund or replace booth fees for things out of an artist's control, so I'm tempted, especially with the weather weirdness here lately.

Have any other artists done the Delray, or Punta Gorda shows?

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  • My hubby travels with me, and he still maintains a full-time job, so I have restrictions currently on how far I can go...once i get an RV, I can do them myself, but he is adamant about not doing shows on my own until I get an RV. Not sure of the reasons other than he feels more at ease if I not staying in motels, etc. alone and having to do an overabundance of driving (like, if I get stuck, I can always sleep in my RV). I look forward to the days I can leave on Friday, set up and actually enjoy a weekend show, rather than rushing around all Saturday morning to get set up...:-)

  • We have done shows in southern Louisiana in April and November on a regular basis.  The temps can range from in the low 50's to the low 80's.  It is quite a ride concerning the temps and humidity.

  • hahaha! I live in Florida. It can be daunting to do a festival any later than May...;-)

    I am umbilically attached to my Ryobi fan after May....

  • Do Not dream of doing a show in Fla in Sept unless you have a personal fan maiden.

  • I have a rule that says don't do a show that has a fruit or vegetable (or food in general) in it's name if you are selling fine art. Small crafty gift items may be ok, but you want to do a show that is specifically for customers looking for fine art and crafts. Select shows that are seriously juried and have a good track record.

    Fortunately out here in California wind is not too big a problem most of the time.

  • And, thanks all. I have decided to apply to the Jekyll Island show and take my chances. It's an opportunity to drag out the generator and the light setup...;-)

  • I love your post. It's very true. I've spoken with several promoters and they tell me all about their own losses due to unforeseen weather issues (they've already paid for permits, hired port-a-let companies, bought advertising, etc.) but I still feel that a booth fee is a booth fee and artist should be given the option of doing the festival the following year, or refunded all or part (after all, the promoters do carry insurance for these type of occurrences).

  • We live in Louisiana and deal with hurricane season as well.  Though it runs from June 1 - November 30, the most active months for storms are August and September.  I have not scheduled outdoor shows during those months due to the chances of a tropical storm or hurricane.  At least with indoors, if we have to make a quick exit, we are not losing a tent because we do not set up our tent indoors.

    I understand the promoters have collected fees and have already spent some/all of the money by the time the show arrives.  But to put the onus on the artists when a hurricane happens just stinks to me.  It is not the artists' fault so why should we bear the brunt of losses?  The artists who decide not to show up due to a tropical storm or hurricane are not making that decision on a whim.  Their life can very well be at stake.  Okay, I'll step down from my soapbox now.

  • Good point. I certainly will.

  • From what I had found in reading on multiple sites, the Three Rivers Show PA has that sort of rule. In addition, the writings state you must stay in your booth, regardless of weather.

    So I contacted the show director. She stated the opposite. Therefore it might be that you want to check with he show director to verify the information.

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