10/05/2019
Support your local community.
Buy local.
Right. Unless you get kicked in the teeth for your efforts. Because of rain, that btw has been predicted for the last 10 days, the Walton Rural Life Festival has been moved to the school. Apparently the decision was made mid-day Thursday. Yet I, as a vendor, found out about it by accident Friday morning.
Ok. No big deal. More booth spaces were sold than they had room for. Now all of a sudden the rain is an issue. They don't want to leave the outside vendors in the rain, and they don't want to separate the vendors. The town, after all, is so large and spread out. Easy fix. Move everything to the school. Problem solved.
Well, not for everyone. You see, as a knife vendor, our knives are not allowed on school grounds.
For the second year in a row I turned down a festival (that actually wants us there) that has ALWAYS been one of our top selling shows of the year knowing I wouldn't have a tenth of the sales here in my silly effort to support my community.
Over the years, we have worked hundreds, if not thousands, of venues. Most were outdoors. Some were indoors, and some had both indoor and outdoor. It didnt matter if it was in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, or even in Kansas, anytime an event was booked for an outdoor booth, there was always the chance for inclement weather. Given the choice, we would pay a premium to set up indoors. We've worked rodeos when the heat index was 115 and when the wind chill was 15. We've seen tornadoes pass within a half mile while scrambling to help other vendors secure and save their canopies. We've set up and slushed thru mud over ankle deep. We've been so dusty that we cough mud for two days after. That's just part of it.
It's a good thing that the powers to be wanted to take care of their vendors. Most of their vendors anyway.
Due to his health issues, Alvin hasn't been working the business other than the occassional knife or set of loppers someone brings by for him to sharpen. The boys and I have picked up a few shows here and there. But Alvin was actually looking forward to setting up and feeling like part of the community. I spent a lot of time on our display and SEVERAL hundred dollars on new products for this festival.
But in all fairness, let me add that we were offered the opportunity to set up in the pavilion. (I guess around the tables?) In the rain. Separated from the other vendors and customers. THANKS, BUT NO THANKS ! ! !
I wish only the best for my community, but you can bet your ass that next year, Swedes Blades will be at the festival I've turned down the last two years for this.
