Allentown Fair- Day 4

Well what has turned out to be a three-day ordeal, the headache finally was gone. C and I got breakfast in the morning and lunch before I left for the show. In between I took still another nap, and we took some time to look for and decide upon our October vacation. We want to go on a cruise, and with gas prices skyrocketing, I think that the land of the last minute deals is non-existent. We need to get those tickets before the cruise industry starts hiking up those prices. And we need to get those tickets fast.

As for other things that are non-existent. People coming to the fair fits the bill well. B had done this fair with other things besides crafts for 10+ years and can't believe how poorly attended the exhibits in the Agri-plex are. I wonder is its because the plex has become synonymous with the 4-H exhibits, and the other blue ribbon winning items. Has America really just lost interest in the best quilt of the fair, the best squash, and the best wedding cake? Yup, I think they have. Going to the fair is much more than the fair foods and the rides; it is a connection to our agricultural heritage. How few people anymore can tell you that they can grow vegetables, or that they can their own foods, or that they have any idea how to follow a pattern and sew a shirt. Its funny, I used to think that my undergraduate degree in Theatre was pretty useless in the real world, but those costuming classes sure taught me to sew.

But I think the Fair itself is poorly attended so far. When I go for food there is hardly a line (if a line at all) and historically the food vendors are almost always packed. The rides spin around looking empty, and the games of chance are the last place people want to spend their money right now. People are coming at night for the concerts (last night was Hillary Duff) and look around a little, but don't want to carry things into the concert. By the time it lets out, the Agri-plex is closed. Does that mean that we'd be doing better in a tent outside the building? I don't know if the increase in people walking by would make the people walking by better buyers. I just don't think so.

Allentown Fair- Day 3

Well I wasn't there but I heard from B this morning that sales were still slow. It's not just us though, in general the place seems much emptier than in years past she says. I really think it is hard to ask people who are paying over $3 a gallon at the pump, and who are afraid that it may raise into the $4-$5 gallon range to go out and spend their money at a local fair. I also think those images from New Orleans takes the wind out of people. I sure don't feel like celebrating anything, or having any fun. I rally think shows for the rest of the year will be really hard hit. What all of us artisans and crafters make are luxury goods, and I think we may be at the point where fewer people can afford luxury, and most who can, feel guilty about having a little luxury right now.

However I wasn't there. It was dad's last day with us and I had spent the day fighting back a headache that split into a migraine as we drove to the restaurant. Poor dad spent his last night eating alone, while C tried to pile me into bed and generally take care of me. Looking back I should have known it was coming, but I ignored the signs. I must start taking better care of myself.

Allentown Fair- Day 2

Sales were slow again today but there was not many people attending the Fair. The weather called for some rain, that could be intense at times, and the morning even had a tornado warning. When B and I left at 10 pm, many of the vendors that are outside of the Agri-plex were already packed up and gone, and they are supposed to be there at least an hour, maybe two, longer than us. You know it's slow when the food vendors have time to come in and walk around. B did pretty well in sales though (given the weather and such), one person came back from yesterday and bought more, and another made a relatively big purchase. I also think that just collectively the nation is disheartened by what has happened due to Katrina. It is hard to go and play and escape when all you see on TV is such utter devastation.

I also think it is very hard to spend money when fuel prices are rising by the day. No one knows where this is going to end, and the fuel prices are affecting everything. I have surcharges on my products shipped to me, plastic container prices are rising, it is costing me more to go to craft shows, to pick up supplies, to drop off orders at the post office. If prices stay so high I will need to take a good look at some shows that I do that are 4 and 5 hours from the house. It could cost me almost 4 tanks of gas to get there and back, which right now is close to $180.00 bucks just in gas, lets not add in tolls! I will have to look at which shows are really worth doing on '06 if this keeps up.