It is officially summer — and, in many towns and cities, this marks the start of Arts Festival Season. If you are an artisan preparing for another year of Arts Festival participation, here’s a helpful checklist of what to bring along for the event. This list is for crafters of all ages and levels of experience. The compulsory items below may vary, depending on where you are, and what kind of festival you’re attending. Nevertheless, it’s helpful to keep in mind some of these essentials.
Stationery
- Lots of pens.
- Lots of paper.
- Scissors.
- Stapler.
- Tape — lots of masking tape — to attach labels, hang up signs or banners, mend holes in tents, and so on. Keep in mind that whatever is unattached to something has a propensity to drop, be picked up, or disappear.
- Ribbon, raffia or rope, to tie things together.
- Bits of yarn to differentiate containers holding your inventory.
- Sticky notes and Post-It tabs to label and keep track of your inventory.
- Sandwich bags, zippered bags, or freezer bags to keep your inventory in pristine condition, particularly if the products are small and need to be protected from wind, dust, dirty or greasy fingers.
- Cash box (or register), preferably with a lock.
- An inventory list of all the items you have made.
- An inventory list of all the items you brought to sell — e.g., if you are attending multiple events and leave some items at home; where, or in what order, you should load and unload your merchandise.
- A written list of the event timetable; when to set up, when to tear down your booth, when to leave before traffic, the fastest route out of the area, and so on.
Large Supplies
- If indoors: Tent not needed.
- If outdoors: Bring a tent, usually 10 x 10 ft (unless the rules specify not to, or unless it’s already provided).
- Table(s) — preferably one (or more) that can be folded and are easy to carry.
- Chairs. Place the main chair in a “director” style position at the head of the booth, so customers know who the artiste is, or who manages the booth.
- Pull-along wagon, or trolley (optional), to carry all the supplies to and from where you are parked. Just make sure it has a good, sturdy handle. And wheels that work. You don’t want anything rolling downhill.
- Ice cooler. (Highly, highly recommended; you’ll gain popularity points with friends and other artisans, as well as keep yourself hydrated.)
- Plastic containers, bins, etc., of various sizes (as needed) — this will make it easier and more fun in organizing your inventory; tuck nicely under tables, or stack on your pull-along wagon or wheeler.
- A banner across your booth, identifying who you are, and what your product is. (Note: check the rules in the application to make sure this is allowed.)
Food & Drinks
- Packed lunch.
- Water bottles, or multiple canteens.
- Beverage packs, such as juice (or something to keep you hydrated).
- Box of cookies (preferably allergy-free).
- Ice cream! Just don’t forget the cooler.
In Case Of (Wild) Weather
- Umbrella(s). If the chance of a rain shower — or, you never know, an unexpected snow storm — is 10% or higher, bring at least three sturdy, golf-style umbrellas. If your merchandise fills more than one pull-along wagon, bring sufficient umbrellas to keep your supplies (and helpers) dry. (Make sure your umbrella withstands strong winds.)
- Rain coats: ponchos or heavy-duty rain jackets.
- Plastic tarp or waterproof canvas to cover the sides and back of your tent and protect your inventory. (You never know when it might rain… heavy.)
Please don’t forget to have a large enough vehicle that can transport you, your inventory and other necessary things (don’t forget the people!) to and from the event.
Repeat: make sure your vehicle is large enough to carry everyone, and everything.
Practice (and practice) packing your boxes, containers, and supplies in your vehicle in the right order in which you want the items unpacked at the other end.
You’ll be surprised how often participants show up late… because they couldn’t get everything into their vehicle.
If you are issued a parking pass, don’t forget to use it; again, you’d be surprised.
Also crucial: check how close you can get to your spot to unload your items, so you don’t have to lug (panting and sweating) everything from the parking area.
Better yet, do a practice run one or two days before the actual event.
If you have suggestions for what else to bring on Arts Festival Day, feel free to leave a comment below.
Let The Arts Fest Season Begin! 🙂
Don’t forget to have fun!
