This Happen to you?

So about 3 days ago i called about a festival that is taking place in my area on the 7th of July to set up a booth there. I called them and told them consider me there and that i would be in to their office in a day to pick up the contract. So i went to their office this morning right as they opened. I walk in there Letting them know I'm the face painter that called. I then get informed that 6 Hours AFTER i called them another face painter called in and asked for the spot and they were sending her the contract. The lady talking to the other face painter i guess didn't know i called earlier. They then proceeded to tell me they cant have more than one face painter there. I still asked for a app form and took it home. Read over it and in print on the contract says no spots are guaranteed until contracts are completed and turned in. So i quickly fill it out and take it right back. I told them i was turning it in to cover my basis in case i was able to get it in in time. They said they cant promise anything but will get back to me..

I will be so frustrated if i was the first to call and the first to turn in the app and i get turned down GRRR.

Anyone else deal with that kind of situation?

Most worthwhile events are going to have their deadlines way in advance of the event...like 2 to 6 month in advance. I've found that those that don't are generally not nearly as well organized and you'll run into stuff like this....

You're new. There will be a giant learning curve. Every year I delete events that didn't measure up and try new ones. It'll take a few years till you get familiar with all the good events in your area. Good Luck!

Debra has an excellent point. The more organized they are the better. I had a rep from a city ASKING me to come and paint. Long story short, they let a craft painter in there instead that only charged .50cents, $1 or $2 and their were hardly 100 people there at the fair the whole hour we stayed. I would have DIED a slow death trying to make some money there.

This may be the best thing that happens to you this summer. The good ones have much higher expectations. You would both be applying, providing photos of your product and how you fit in with the festival.

How about an afternoon farmer's market? A busy farmer's market might be cheaper and easier to get good contacts for birthdays than a bad fair. Don't do an evening farmer's market. I had a hard time getting parents to let kids get painted right before bed.

D.

You both have great advice.
I'm currently trying to contact our local farmers market, i told them in the email i wanted the morning/afternoon ones if possible not the Thursday night for that exact reason, i figured parents would not want to spend money just to go home and wash it off before bed hehe.
I'm trying to get into this festival because it's the closest one to my home and want to start getting my name out there since I'm new.
We'll see how it goes hehe.

Where abouts are you from Lacey?

Northern California. about 100 miles north of Sacramento actually

Denise Cold wrote:
Don't do an evening farmer's market. I had a hard time getting parents to let kids get painted right before bed.

D.

UUUUUGHHHHH DENISE!!! WHY COULDNT I HAVE READ THIS BEFORE PUTTING CHECK IN THE MAIL?!?!?!
Gosh you make a great point....

We have an evening farmers market and haven't had the bedtime problem just not many kids at the farmers market problem. I have got contacts there for other events though so worth it.