general thoughts

[Rev. Allen M. Drago ~ Traveler]

 

The how many to look for and how perhaps to set them up according to a older gathering style of doing things.

 

1=Street of Steel

2=Clothing District

3=Trinkets and Beads {jewelry} for trading with the Natives

4=Maille

5=Castle/Encampment items to enhance the life around you

6=Armor Division

7=Leather

8=Demo {what ya, doing?} who you belong to

9=Multi talents and representation

10=Grandfathers of Importing and Mass production

 

Above are the subdivisions for booths each assigned a category number. Each will hold many different items but for the most part will be what they state in their titles. There ten categories. So if we figure for each 500 people we allow one of each in, then if the average gate for the last three years is say 16554 people. SO that number of 16554 is divided by 500. That gives you 33 of each type into the faire allowed, which means you will look to having 33 X 10 which gives you 330 vendors allowed for. This also includes and booths put up by performing {demo (what ya, doing)} group as well. Is that good enough. Just remember to book evenly as you go. Ensuring that each division is full as you fill the 33 allotted slots in each listing or you will end up again with over population of one type of item and not enough of another. The simple way is make the 33 a goal but check it off as each number is filled in total categories. See below for example.

 

Now you can either divide up and scattering venues making people look for what they came for or you can do as they would have in the original gatherings which alike venues tended to drift together. For example where the fighting was would be armor, weapons, and items close to that. The clothing would be in an area mostly of shade. Trinkets and beads were usually surrounding the food courts be cause eating tended to slow people down to look more carefully at items and sparkles would catch their eye when standing in line waiting. Around the stages were shops of mixed items for those on the outskirts of the performances.

 

Through ways were usually 20’ wide for normal travel and 30’ for emergencies. Most shops had banners and ribbons out in the wind to attract attention and a sign with a shop’s symbol upon it for those who didn't read as well as one which spelled out their name, for the more nobler born. Streets were marked in the same fashion. Food was also in usually two spots the first being where the main attractions were. The other where the wind would blow the sent of food through out the whole gathering area.

For a simple chart for booking booths for the fair. As booths are booked a booth number is placed as reference so it is quickly seen what division is filled for the amount allowed remember to book evenly +/- 3 booths ahead or behind along the current booked majority.

As seen as they are booked they get a booth number and it goes into the divisional number  row. This way not only one can quickly see how it is filling up but also which divisions need booths and if color coded can see who has paid {green}, who is pending {orange} and what is the last number used {*}. Easy done easy to deal with. As letters come in from the initial sending a package is sent with a number as pending. Then when it is returned the process of accepting or denying is done and the response sent. Pending means while you have one ready to fill the slot. They have been sent an application package and  are awaiting their response. You still fill in more for not all pending will always work out for you.  This is why it is important to evenly book booths. For if a pending booth pulls out or does not send the application to you within a month’s time you will have something to fall back upon. And you will not be scrambling elsewhere. But also a reminder post card can be sent to them asking what their status is on the application or their decision on participating in the faire.