Outdoor Tent/Booth

So the only 'gigs' I've done have fortunately all been indoors and nice and cozy.

However, I know that as summer approaches and as I get some outdoor gigs, I'll probably need to get a 'tent', or something like it, and probably a banner and all that.

What type structure do you have and do you like it? Is it easy to put up solo (big factor for me), and what would you do different now that you've had yours for awhile. I don't want to buy something and then wish I'd spend x dollars more for the 'really nice one' that is better suited for warm and cold weather...kwim?

Any advise is appreciated. Any links to sites that sell 'business kiosks in a bag' type things are welcome too!

I have had my EZ-UP for a couple of years now, used it at least a dozen times, and it's still working great. I can get it up and down by myself, though it takes time and patience. My only problem with it is that if it rains heavily, the water will catch in the roof and sag it down. Not a problem if you are present to empty it off periodically, but if you leave it up overnight and it rains, you could have problems.

I do not have my own shelter... it is a requirement of my contract that the client provides it.

This is the blurb from my booking information page

Adequate space and shelter must be provided to the artist(s). Typically a standard rectangular folding table and two chairs of the same height are the minimum required for an indoor booking for one Face Painting Artist. If working outside shelter from sun, wind and/or rain must be provided as well. The artist(s) have the final say on whether the conditions are suitable to work in on arrival and will not start work until satisfied that conditions are suitable.

The outdoor events I do all provide either their own tents, put me in overhangs, or inside... I had one large event actually go and buy one specifically to put me in!! Some are only awnings for shade and cover, but I get to park my RAV beside them so it provides a windbreak and a wall, and along with my display unit and police tape I can barricade us pretty well.

Due to the winds here E-Z ups are not a good investment and most groups don't even bother... they fly like kites you know.

You can usually pick up the 10x10 little gazebo type tents at Walmart for about $40 when it's the right season for them. Those would usually fit the bill.

I would prefer Shannon's method of always having them provide shelter or put me indoors, for comfort of me and the clients.

However, I'm sure I should probably have 'something' at least for sun protection. It's usually not so stinking hot here I need a fan, but it does get sunny. With shade, it's usually quite tolerable.

I do NOT want to be outside when it's cold. It does get cold here...snowy...and we have major winds that come off the mountains in a big down draft!

There is a little Farmer's Market type event that happens just down the street every fall. I've been wanting to set up a booth, so maybe I could get a little tent/walmart Gazebo for that. We have a Walmart...

Or... Get one of those SUV's with the tent attachments off the rear!!!

Oh...well now...we're talking the big bucks. Maybe some day when I'm well known and actually start MAKING a profit.

I'd actually think that was cool. Could drive around to all the festivals and have a ready to go pop up. hehe

I need to pay off my van first. Mmm...I wonder if I could get a side pop up thingie. It has plugs for AC/DC conversion and a flip out back for 'tail gate' style parties already. mmmmm....

I use this canopy that I paid around $69.00 for. I liked it because it's unique. I can't put it up by myself though. I've never had a problem finding someone to help. I painted the front with acrylic paint.

That's really cute Jessica! I'm impressed with the painting! How'd you get both sides so perfectly even!!??

Jessica, that'samazing! How well does the acrylic paint hold up, with you folding the fabric up for storage? I'd love to paint on my tent but am afraid it would start looking bad after a lot of use. You did a beautiful job on yours!

Thank you Heather, it was a miracle! I even painted it (before I put it up) on my dining room table one section at a time. I still don't know how I did it. But that is why I ended up putting "FACE PAINT" instead of "FACE PAINTING"....I didn't want it to be off balanced.

Angie, I used a glossy acrylic. My canopy is pretty thin and absorbed it beautifully. It still looks brand new even after storing it. I would do a test on one of your corners or something. It beats having a banner or sign made. One less thing to mess with!

Get a pop up. It is a super good investment. I sometimes use them when I am at inside events since you can attach things to them and they really attract attention. Invest in the best one you can find. If you can find one with a motor that pops itself up, GET IT! I love mine but sometimes struggle getting it up alone.

Jess, That rocks!

That is very cool Jessica... but around here it would make a really nice kite!

The only tents that you see up here are the really heavy duty, professionally put up ones... marquee types. There are rental places in town that most organizations hire to bring out the tents, set them up and then come and get them when it is over. E-Z ups are a complete waste of money as you simply cannot secure them well enough not to fly away... and the can cause a lot of damage as they rip off and tumble own the midway!

I do what Shannon does - and I make sure the client has a place for me, haha. In terms of a banner - I'm probably going to invest in a "The line starts here" sign, but probably not a 'face painting' sign (I say that now, but...), as once that first kid is there, there's an insta-line and everyone knows where you are, and what you do, anyway!

My easy up has been a godsend for me. I got it for about $150 and if stakes in the ground very firmly. My feeling is why risk getting a rickity table under a leaky shelter?

Make sure you go with a good one and not one where you have to put the poles together. You will be putting this up all day. Although mine is an easy up, I can still manage to put it up by myself(though it pops up in less than 3 minutes with 2 people) and has saved me and my clients from wind, rain and sunburn. Als0, many of the paints are adversly effected by heat and the tent will help with this too. I would also suggest getting one with the wall panels. These usually don't effect price much and will help control the crowd.

If there is EVER any question about a windy day. Some cement in a bucket connected to the tent will allieve your stress. I suggest at least two. A throw away bucket and some easy mix cement will cost you less than $10.

Many events are outdoors and I just can't afford to turn away business because there isn't an inside space for me. Having one just affords me much more flexibility.

-Metina