Here is some of the best news around the art fairs this year. In Louisville they actually passed an ordinance keeping unauthorized vendors away from the art fair! If you've never been to St. James let me tell you, you park and then you walk and walk and there is just about anything for sale there. Now they are proud of this event (750 exhibitors - I am not saying "artists") but things have definitely gotten out of hand over the years.
Here is the first report I came across: Ordinance to curtail unlicensed vendors at St. James art show
There were some changes this year, mostly caused by the impact of the economy. Here is the info: Changes Afoot for St. James Court Art Show. I especially liked this one: Visitors might notice fewer vendors who had independently set up outside the show area in past years. That’s due to an ordinance the Metro Council passed in May. It prohibits them from seeing up booths within 100 feet of a Metro Louisville special permitted event. Well, hooray for them!
Crowds smaller? So said Margie Esrock, organizer of the fun-for-all St. James Court Art Show. Here's a good rundown from the Louisville Courier: http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20091004/NEWS01/910040349/St.+James+turnout+declined+this+year
Supposedly 300,000 people turn out for the three day event. I've been there many times. One thing you never have to fault St. James with is not having enough people turn out. It is elbow to elbow usually all three days. The event is so popular in Louisville that they close school on Friday. I kid you not! The schoolteachers are there in full force wearing their Halloween sweaters. It's pretty folksy but fun too in a beautiful neighborhood full of extravagant Victorian homes.
Here is another article from WLKY, including an interview with jeweler Helmut Goral: Economy Didn't Impact St. James Court Art Show
I'm expecting full reports from many of you as I know you were there!
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