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  steve appel July 19, 2013 at 11:03pm

  I have owned erupt and,ite dome and in wind ex up's have a tendency to take off in the wind. Where craft huts and light domes do not. Most shows want white. If I were starting out I would get white and if you plan to do a number of shows invest in a decent tent. It is well worth it in the long run
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  Kimberly Merck- Moore July 18, 2013 at 11:25pm

  Anthony, is that you?
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  Geoff Coe July 18, 2013 at 10:43pm

  Yes, I've been mulling this thread over, with some help from Kimberly. 

  I notice you haven't had time to post a picture, "Rich".  And I see you're from New York City.  So let me put it this way: Could you post a picture?  And if you did, would it resemble a picture that cost your former 9th District Congressman his seat? 
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  Kimberly Merck- Moore July 18, 2013 at 7:57pm

  Interesting name. 

  Really nice of all these people to respond and try to help, right?
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  Don McCoy July 18, 2013 at 4:39pm

  Sandbag weights for EZup and other canopies have more friction on the ground than the PVC weights that hang. on the lesser expensive canopies in general the PVC concrete weight will slide on asphaslt etc where the sandbag weights have better holding power. You want a 50 lb bag of sand in each. Winds can be brutal, many canopies such as lightdome have new accessories to stabilize the cubic shape which all work very well and Lightdome usually has a sale in AUGust or September on their basic canopy. Even if you don.t get awnings now , get the zippers sewn on the top on all sides so you could purchase awnings later. Proper preparation prevents poor performance. Consider a good canopy the ante to the game.
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  Geoff Coe July 18, 2013 at 1:56pm

  Hi Rich, and welcome!

  Starting this business prompts a thousand questions (thankfully, only 100 or so at a time ;-)  )  and many of them have been answered in detail already.  I invite you to make liberal use of the "Search Art Fair Insiders" box at the top right corner of this page to read about tents, shows, and anything else you are curious about as you get started--for example, type in "tent" (leave OFF the quotation marks) and then click the little magnifying glass.
  
  Having done that, when you ask a question in the discussion area try to select the appropriate discussion group to post it in--business, booth shot, show information, etc.  Don't stress too much if you can't decide, but to the extent you can do that it will make it easier for others who follow you to find the information later.  :-)    Make your question as specific as possibly can, and if it's pertinent to your question, let people know what kind of art you do and where you live.  That will help people figure out if they can help you based on common experience and geography. 

  Good luck, and welcome!
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  karen cooper July 18, 2013 at 1:19pm

  http://www.hutshop.com/contactus.html

  those folks are good to do business with.

  Be forewarned that the EZUp's from the discount stores are water repellant, NOT waterproof.  Which means after about 5 minutes worth of rain, you and your exhibit are soaked.  Find the highest denier canopy possible.  My current Ezup is 600 denier, and doing okay.  50 pounds of wait per corner, on the ground, not hanging mid-air.  
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  Diane Wright July 18, 2013 at 11:35am

  Many shows require white tents only so I would purchase a white one.Be sure you are buying a heavy duty tent.  Many that are sold at Walmart, Sams Club, etc are not made for the kind of use they get at shows.  Buy a commercial grade EZ up if you are not ready to sink big bucks into a tent    As far as weights, search for instructions on making pvc weights.  You want approximately 50 lbs per foot.  Best shows depend upon you, your area, your work, your price points, etc..  Walk a bunch of shows before you apply to see what looks like a good fit. 
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  Richard L. Sherer July 18, 2013 at 10:46am

  Both of my tents were custom made by Davis Tent and Awning in Denver. The first one was tan with brown stripes, heavy motor home vinyl awning material. The second was white that fits the same frame for "white only shows". I went custom frame because of the weight leather puts on the walls and the need for superior rain protection. Both were in the $1000-$1300 range. I've been using the tan one for over 20 years.
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  Robert Wallis July 18, 2013 at 9:40am

  Everyone uses white for a reason. Any other color throws a color cast on your work. Blue tops throw a rather nasty cyanotic cast to the work underneath. You don't notice it standing underneath it due to our eye's adaptability but standing out in the aisle looking in it is very evident. In addition many shows specify white tents only. Stick to the white tents.