Did my volunteer time today at Art on the Green. Overall, it was a slow day (not many Pepsis or water sold). But I’m wondering why it was slow?
Perhaps it was the weather. It wasn’t hot today; just a tad bit muggy, in fact. But it wasn’t a sunny day weather-wise and it did rain a few drops. That may have kept some people away.
I spoke with some vendors a few years ago, and they complained of the higher booth rental fees being charged. Since then, I’ve noticed that some of the more funky, traditional vendors that once populated Art on the Green are missing. Now I tend to see more high-end, commercial vendors. They offer pricey trinkets and things that just don’t qualify as bargains or impulse-buys. Or am I off on that observation?
Perhaps it could be the economy. With gas still hovering at the $4 mark, are people less likely to splurge on artsy things that they don’t really need?
Despite the slowness, the event was fun. I enjoyed the art kids marching into the NIC campus singing and chanting. The lady dancing on stilts was delightful. And even with a down economy, four dollars for a hot dog and Pepsi is a sweet deal!
It was cold today! I bet tomorrow and Sunday will be better weather and better crowds.
Comment by mary — August 1, 2008 @ 10:42 pm
And even with a down economy, four dollars for a hot dog and Pepsi is a sweet deal!
Not really,I can go to McDonalds and get two McChicken sandwiches and a large Coke for a little over $3.That leaves me a dollar,to buy a lottery ticket.
Comment by kageman — August 1, 2008 @ 10:52 pm
Hmmm. It appears our little booth sold more water and sodas and tea than the big booth Dan was in. Could have been our sales technique. Or our imagination. We were right next to the ice cream booth, and almost all day it had a line of people waiting for very reasonably priced ice cream. Gary Ingram came by and talked about fishing and boats. I’ve got to agree with Dan – the stilt dancer (she was featured in the paper yesterday or Thursday, I think) was really graceful and surprisingly agile. The guideline for stilt dancing is probably start low and slow rather than high and spry.
Doug F asked me to take a cartload of water down to “The Outpost” at the south stage. Memo to Doug: Next year hire a team of mules to pull that wagon; the jackass pulled it this year, and that was too much work!
We walked around several of the art booths after our shift ended. Between the Custer craft shows at the Spokane County Fairgrounds every year and yesterday, Lisa had got most of her Christmas shopping done.
We thought yesterday’s weather was perfect and the crowd was just about the right size.
Comment by Bill — August 2, 2008 @ 7:21 am
Yeah, Kageman, my perspective is twisted. I just went on a road trip and compared to some of the prices on that trip, a hot dog and a Pepsi for $4 seems cheap. You’re right: it’s not.
Comment by Dan — August 2, 2008 @ 7:59 am
Dan, the Art on the Green logo is cool and looks very nice on this site. Did they have a contest again, to choose the logo?
Comment by mary — August 2, 2008 @ 8:28 am
Yep. Every year: http://www.artonthegreen.org/poster.html.
Comment by Dan — August 2, 2008 @ 8:33 am
Hey, maybe Jimmy Barona could generate a contest entry for the logo next year.
Comment by Bill — August 2, 2008 @ 8:50 am
We’ve got to get Jimmy back in the mix here. He must be really busy with his real life.
Comment by mary — August 2, 2008 @ 10:15 am
Thanks, Dan for the link to the past logos: 1985’s poster looks interesting…oh, I thought I could put it in this comment, but I don’t know how. That’s ok, you can all just go look.
Comment by mary — August 2, 2008 @ 10:19 am
$4.00 Dog & Pepsi?? I was charged $5.00 and nothing was said about a Pepsi. Guess I wasn’t paying attention. A few minutes later I decided I should have gotten a drink and went back paid $2.00 for it. Let the buyer beware, indeed!
Comment by Gary Ingram — August 2, 2008 @ 1:11 pm
Gary,
I was trying to sell you a drink at our Pepsi booth, but when you started talking with Doug Fagerness about fly fishing, I knew my efforts would be wasted. A bottle of water would only have cost one dollar. By the way, I wasn’t trying to be rude or ignore you, but there was a girl behind you with money in her hand, and she was obviously in need of a beverage.
Comment by Bill — August 2, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
kageman, calling kageman! Is there a difference between the kageman posting on this site and Kage Mann posting on HBO? Curious minds want to know.
Comment by yabetcha — August 2, 2008 @ 7:31 pm
Gary, German Sausage is $5 and Pepsi is $2.
Comment by Susie Snedaker — August 3, 2008 @ 9:37 am
Is there a difference between the kageman posting on this site and Kage Mann posting on HBO? Curious minds want to know.
Comment by yabetcha — August 2, 2008 @ 7:31 pm
Answer:yabetcha
FYI:Two of the founders of this website who are former HBOer’s.
BTW Dan;Bob or Tubob still talks about you.
Comment by kageman — August 3, 2008 @ 3:29 pm
Heard that Randy Tetzner was working the Kroc Center Booth. Guess Harry Amend is recuiting and doing his job for the Salvation Army!
Comment by ShyAnn — August 4, 2008 @ 6:22 pm