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Monday, October 11, 2010

Catoctin Colorfest



This weekend we participated in Catoctin Colorfest. We've been doing this show for the last 18 years...WOW! I didn't realize that until I thought back to how old Joshua was. The first year we did it, he was in his pack-n-play.



The show isn't quite what it use to be but it still is a darn good show. The police estimate that 150,000 people attend the show, but I think this year the crowd was a little off.


It use to be that shoppers would show up way before dawn and shop by flashlight! LOL! Ladies would bring anything that was on wheels to put all their purchases in, they still do, just not as many.


You can find everything at Colorfest...mums, pumpkins, apples, crafts, sheets and socks...Yep, you read that right..even sheets and socks! It always amazes me that customers would come to a craftshow to buy that kind of stuff, but they do, so as long as they do, the vendors will continue to set up.


On Sunday I went to track down just where Pat from CountryWorkshop booth was at this year. Last year Pat had an awful location due to changes that have occurred with exhibitors attendance at the show. So glad that she and Louie were able to secure a much better spot. Anyway, I stole Pat from Louie to go for a walk with me so we could look at the show. This picture is of Louie, protesting! I told him I was gonna caption it "Louie Whining"! LOL!




As always Pat's booth looks exceptional. Louie does all the heavy toting and lifting to and from the show. He does the cutting and spraying. Pat does the artwork on the signs. You can find her on etsy...just click on the link above.


One of the exhibitors that is located in my area is Steph from puppywear... Steph is such a fun gal to be set up near....she can tell you stories and make ya laugh...always a good thing.








I snapped a few pictures of my booth set up. It amazes me that I don't set up the same way at any two shows.




For this show I tweaked my display further. I ordered some more wire grids and additional corner shelving along with more pegs. I didn't check the boxes when they were delivered and got a big surprise when we got to the show..the wire grid shelves were missing...instead I got a set of legs for the grids...hmmm...not what I needed. Had I checked the box when it arrived, the company that I purchased from would have made things right...they are shipping out the right things today.


I was able to get a few things painted while at the show. My boys help run the booth, so that frees up some of my time. It's nice to be able to sometimes sit and enjoy yourself painting away. See you at Thurmont, next year!

13 comments:

  1. Dee.Wish I would have known you were there I would have stopped into see you.Hubby and I go for the yardsales but they were a big dissapointment this year.Apparantly the changed something with permits and people were protesting/boycotting.I normally go fridays and miss the crafts but this year had to go saturday.You sure had beautiful weather for it.Harvest Blessings!~Amy

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  2. Oh, that looks like SO much FUN! Just what I love in the Fall! Enjoy your week! ♥

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  3. Amy,

    Oh I wish I had known that a fellow blogger would be at Colorfest...would have loved to met you and the hubby.

    I think the cost was the issue. If I remember correctly it was $25 for the permit and you had to have it even for Friday sales.

    I never seem to get there early enough to get set up and then go yard saling....maybe I should go up early in the morning and have everyone else come up later to set up.

    It was a beautiful weekend.

    D

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  4. Dee! Holy Cow. Isn't it just crazy how crowded it gets there? My sister lives in Thurmont. She takes off from work on Friday of that weekend every year so she doesn't miss anything. I was there last year. Did you get lots of sales? I wonder if there's anyone else that sells at the Fest that we would know. Small world!

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  5. Hey D I was just fixing to email you to see how it went. Looks like it was a pretty good show. Hope you did well.
    Brenda

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  6. Oh my gosh, I can't even begin to imagine participating in a show that gets that many visitors!! Your booth looks great despite not having your display piece, hope you had lots of sales.
    I also wanted to let you know that I have nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award, pop on over to my blog to collect it if you are interested:
    http://paxtonvalleyfolkart.blogspot.com/2010/10/versatile-blogger-award-continuing-fun.html
    It's actually a fun way to support other bloggers and to learn a little more about each other so I hope that you will have the time to participate.
    Thanks for sharing your pictures, love the picture of "Louie Whining"!
    Deb

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  7. Thurmont is always a fun show to do after it's all set up. It takes me most of the day on Friday to set up and then I get there early (6am) Saturday and finish tweaking everything.

    D

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  8. Maria,

    Yes, it is crazy how crowded it can get. Having done the show the last 18 years I've been there when customers are shoulder to shoulder across 806 as far as the eye can see. This year, that wasn't the case..it was a little on the thinner side, but there still was a good turnout.

    Sales were good, not stellar, but then craft show sales are what they use to be either. Thurmont is still one of the better shows to do.
    D

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  9. Brenda,

    It went pretty good. I've been there when sales have been spectacular. It's hard for a show to keep up to "expectations" and of course mine are always set high! I am exhausted today....just been vegging out!

    D

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  10. Deb,

    You get use to the number of visitors that come and scale up production accordingly. I remember when we first started, the amount of inventory we brought to the show...my booth look like crap after the first day. Now I have a trailer full of stuff that we bring, and can keep the booth looking pretty good with constant replenishing.

    Thank you for nominating my blog. I'll pop in tomorrow and take a look...I'm still trying to get rested up...Thurmont always wipes me out for a day or two afterwards.

    D

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  11. Hey Dee, what a gorgeous day for your show..I hope you did well..:) did you buy anything? I seem be my own best customer.:)my set up is never the same either...one cause I can't remember the set up..lol..have a wonderful week ahead.;)

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  12. Gina,

    It was a gorgeous weekend. No, I didn't buy anything. After doing craft shows for the last 20 years I never seem to find anything that says "wow" to me at the show that I am at! Guess it's cause I see it all the time.

    I do love buying from the gals online and have a few goodies coming to share.

    D

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  13. I wish I could have been there, your things are awesome!!! It looks like it was lots of fun!!

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