I have read about this. Being forewarned, I was hoping it would never happen to us.
We set up yesterday at the Aubrey "Christmas on Main" for our second show in a plum corner booth. Just as we got everything unloaded and the canopy up, the previously unnoticed speaker that was sitting 15 feet from our spot erupted with around 70 decibels of Christmas music. It was pointed directed at us and I nearly wet myself with the surprise. I happened to be looking at R. at the time and he actually ducked as if he was being shot at! He was able to convince the organizers to shift the speaker so it wasn't pointed directly at us but I tried not to look at the young woman and her husband who later set up the Scentsy booth right beside us. I couldn't stand the painful expression on their faces.
Well, we continued to set up the booth and I had a bit of trouble placing the cloths on the tables due to small gusts of wind. No big deal....just throw on some tape and continue on. As I started placing the products, I kept having to catch a couple of the taller hatstands due to those occassional gusts. No big deal....the wind will drop when the sun comes out of these clouds. Then I didn't see R. moving around and looked up to find him just standing and holding onto the edge of the canopy. We struggled with the wind for about another 15 minutes then made the decision to take it down and hopefully not get too much sun later in the day. So we spent the day only battling the wind and not the wind AND canopy. (On a side note: we did see a set of handmade anchors for the canopy which R. can easily replicate. The gallon jugs filled with water that we attempted to use were woefully inadequate for the job.)
We noticed that there were a lot of customers down the street and also around the corner from the music. But the booths in our area near the speakers and microphone were sadly lacking buyers. There were quite a few ladies interested in some of my crafts but it was difficult to hold conversations and answer questions due to the volume of Christmas music. Very frustrating! The buyers who did stop by didn't linger very long. Was it due to lack of interest in the product or just couldn't stand the music?
We repeatedly had to ask for the music to be turned down (about once an hour) because the young man on the sound board kept slowly increasing the volume thinking no one would notice. We weren't the only ones to complain so maybe next year it will be different. I'm not so sure we will be there to find out because I don't think Aubrey is a good market for the hatstands. I think they are more upscale and once again, there was a lady selling rocks! Painted rocks...but they were still rocks!
We will NOT be having Christmas music in our house this year! We REALLY won't be having any Elvis Christmas music! I think he played Elvis singing every Christmas song in existence. But he didn't play any Hannakuh songs....what's up with that? Six full hours of Chrismas music blasted at you can make one a little crazy! I'm may just have to boycott my car radio everytime they play a carol for the next few weeks!
I sold the exact amount at this show as my first show. How disappointing! I wil say the free sugar cookies were the best thing about yesterday except I got to meet an older gentleman that I've wanted to meet. I've seen him in the area a few times and admired his dancing. Bill and his two daughters and grandaughters stood and visited for quite a little bit. Somehow the conversation came around that I make pear preserves and he commented that he hadn't had pear preserves in years and wanted to buy some. Unfortunately, we opened the last jar about 2 months ago and I haven't made any more. I told him I will sell him a jar when I get some made. One of the daughters who was visiting from Oregon, made sure I now have a phone number and address for him so I can deliver a jar to him. He's no longer driving at the age of 84 and since he's so close, I don't mind. He seems like a really nice man.
Cold+wind+lack of sales/customers+freakin' loud music = no fun!
Now my mind has to change gears to Thanksgiving as I'm actually going to host a few family members for the first time in quite a few years. This time last week we ordered one of those pre-cooked dinners from the grocery store for just the two of us. Now we'll just augment it with a few more side dishes and call it happy. But now I have to clean house!
Hope everyone has a safe a happy holiday!
Happy crafting!
BKK
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