Victorian Days......Belvidere NJ

[Plaquerd]

Thought some of you might be interested.
Today was the first of a two day event in Belvidere, NJ known as Victorian Days. Hanna came up the coast and dumped and is still dumping rain on us.
The first time in it's 21 year history this out door event got rained on!!!!! My third year at this show. The craft show part of the event runs both days from 10am to 5pm. I was the last to close my booth today at 3pm.
Turn out, as you can imagine, was very low. Half the vendors didn't bother to come because of the forecast.
The good news is I sold $343 worth of goods, in the rain! The forecast for tomorrow is fair weather, maybe tomorrow will be even better. Even in the rain people waited while I cut them (under a huge umbrella) butterflies, doves and white tailed deer. Made a lot of kids and adults happy watching me cut and giving the pieces away. All those in attendance seemed to be having a good time in spite of the weather.
Check out their web site here: Belvidere Victorian Days - A celebration of Belvidere's Victorian Heritage
Thanks for looking.

[minowevie]

Dave, that looks like so much fun, gosh, I would love to go to one of those. all dressed up, and having fun. shazammm. your friend Evie

[Plaquerd]

Evie
There is always next year! As I've told you before, the door is always open and the spare room always has clean sheets on the bed. So come on over next September and celebrate with us! It is a very fun time with good eats, music and many other activities.

[f250]

And despite the rain you sold some stuff and better yet you got to cut some quickies for the kids. My kids love that kind of stuff, today at our State Fair the lathe guys were there and one of them busted out two quick little spinning tops for my girls, they were thrilled.

Tom

[Tor]

Congrats on at least getting something sold, even if the turnout was considered dreadful for the event. Hope you do better tomorrow (today, you might call it, or even did better.) I too have show news with which I will not clutter your thread.

Good luck tomorrow.

Tor

[Hawaiilad]

Dave, back when we were still selling our items at the shows instead of to stores, we did a show every year right the first weekend of December in Washington State that was also a show like yours but called Victorian Christmas. All vendors had to dress up in Victorian clothes all (I think 4 days) of the show. They hold it at the State Fair Grounds and most of the vendors are inside out of the weather. The whole show is based on a Christmas of many many years ago. Each booth was set behind what looked like a old time store front. Made tons of money at those shows every year. Seem like everyone came out to start their Christmas shopping and "nearly" everything was hand crafted. Hope you do well on Sunday.

[Wood Dog]

Just curious Plaquerd....did you have some Victorian Fret Work for sale?

[Plaquerd]

Today the weather was perfect! The crowds were huge! The sales for today were not as good as yesterday, but we did sell quite a few ornaments and Victorian silhouettes and some plaques and fretwork boxes. Did about $230 in sales today.
But seeing old friends and acquaintances that I don't often see is pure pleasure. Belvidere is a small town were I grew up and it's nice to set up at Victorian Days because all the proceeds from vendor fees and a “picnic” basket auction go to high school scholarships. This is the one show I will continue to do even if we don't make money at it, it is so much fun and for such a good cause.

Tom
I cut about 250 3D pieces for the kids (and some adults) over the course of the two days, my butterfly, a horse I designed, a dove and a white-tailed deer. You are absolutely right about the kids being thrilled to get such a small gift.

Tor
How did the your show work out? I hope you did well.

Hawaiilad
Yes vendors are "required" to dress in era clothing, although it doesn't need to be authentic.

WD
Yes, had music boxes, trinket boxes, my butterfly puzzles (sold two) window silhouettes of Victorian men and women, Christmas ornaments and compound cut earrings.
Sold a couple of bird plaques and one owl plaque also .....Victorians were into birds.....so I'm told.
Thank you all for the feed back and for the encouragement.

[JohnB]

G'day Dave,
Well done for having a great time, and making a few sales along the way.
I think that is the way life was meant to be.

[Tor]

Good that you had a good time. Actually, on my show I don't yet know... See my thread for current status.

Tor