Hercules Cultural Festival

Hercules Cultural Festival, Hercules, CA June 7-8

Did this event for the first time in about 10 years and hopefully will not do it next year. Mostly local vendors, but there were some 'professionals'. only 25 miles away for us and I would never ever recommend traveling for this one. Booths were in quads, which was nice and I highly recommend that all promoters consider this. However, not much room between the booths and they could have been spread out a bit more, since this was held in a park.

This is an okay community event, but not any good for vendors. No admission fees, but still crowds were down, from what people told me. On Saturday, a couple other vendors told me that they'll have much bigger crowds on Sunday. I don't know about that. Seemed like less people. People mostly just sat around and listened to the music, socializing, etc. Will need to file a 'missing persons' report on this one. There were some food booths, but I never saw much of a line at any of them.

Some vendors who have done this show previously (but not now) referred to this as being another 'flea market', but I wouldn't say it was that bad. People just weren't buying and some of them were bickering,etc. But I must say that there were a number of kids who were untamed.

Oh Lucky Me!!! High Winds at Parker Bluegrass Festival this past March

Just spoke to one of my fellow vendors who informed me that he did the Parker Bluegrass Festival back in late Feb-early March. He spoke of 70mph winds there on Saturday night. When vendors returned on Sunday moring virtually every canopy had been toppled over and merchandise was all over the place. Wow. I guess you really can't do anything when you have winds over 50 MPH. Impossible to weigh things down.We had done this show a couple 5-6 years ago and it wasn't really an income-producing event. However, it is held in a very attractive location.

During that same weekend, we were originally schedule to do another event in Parker, but fortunately, the show was cancelled due to lack of vendors. Thank gosh...ohhh lucky me!!!!

IMPORTANT, but not IMPORTANT: To my understanding, this event will no longer be held in Parker, as they have raised the promoter's fees 150 percent. I guess everybody is into price gouging nowadays. It will not take place in Lake Havasu. However, don't come looking for us there.

Caravan Canopy Replacement parts

To order replacement parts for your Caravan Canopy, you can check out the following website:

Caravan Canopies

Over the past several years I have purchased a number of replacement trusses and other smaller parts from them.

CARAVAN CANOPY INT’L 14600 Alondra Blvd.La Mirada, CA 90638toll-free: 1-877-922-6679 phone: 1-714-367-3000fax: 1-714-367-3050 Email: info@caravancanopy.com

Nevada Festivals and Events

Just came across a great website that lists quite a number of events in Nevada. Name of event, description, booth fee, #of vendors, phone numbers and websites. Looks like a really great resource. This website also shows events in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. NOTE: The version of the website shows events for 2007 and I was unable to find 2008.


Nevada Festivals

Excellent publication

The best publication that lists shows in the Western part of the US is Craftmaster News. It lists thousands of events taking place in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona and other states.

A great resource for vendors. Published bi-monthly and they have on-line listings. http://www.craftmasternews.com/ When doing events, I tell a lot of people about this wonderful guide. A bit expensive, but a good investment.

Gassed out!!! Chevron up to $4.41 in Hayward

Oh my gosh.... just drove past our Chevron station and the price of unleaded regular (or whatever you want to call it) is now at $4.41. Second big Monday increase in a row. America...we are getting screwed, tarred, feathered... the whole shabang!! Just don't know what to do.

Oregon County Fairs

There are a number of resources to find county fairs in Oregon. http://www.craftmasternews.com/ has listings. Also, the website http://www.oregonfairs.org/dates.htm lists all the County Fairs in Oregon with detailed information, size, dates, fees, etc. Excellent.

Patterson Apricot Fiesta

This weekend it was off to Patterson, 70 miles away from us, for the Apricot Fiesta. This was the 5th year we have done the show and most of the time, it has been hot. However, temps were in the low 80's this weekend and quite comfortable. Pretty decent crowds came out on Saturday, but many fewer on Sunday. Sales were okay on Sat; down considerably on Sun. A lot of vendors did poorly. However, it was so nice to do a show locally and one with decent weather. The past three weeks we have had to endure 40 degrees in Marina, 104 in Oakdale and 38 in Lake Tahoe.



Didn't eat much there. Had some Lockeford Sausage which was delicious. Been buying it for years at many of the festivals we have been in. Only $5.00 for a big sausage topped with saurkraut if you desire. MMMMM. I had garlic fries twice from a different vendor...on Saturday they were pretty decent, but on Sunday, I must respond with "Where's the Garlic?"


In an attempt to satisfy my recent cravings for a Philly Cheesesteak and purchased one from one of the other vendors. Oh my gosh. Completely tastless. One of the poorer ones I have ever had.

Gas Out of Wack in Westley

Stopped in Westley (Highway 5) for a bite to eat. Gas at the Chevron there was $2.49. Ouch.

Philly Cheesesteak

Still searching for that great tasting Philly Cheesteak. Have tried so many out here in California and in Oregon, etc., and can not find a single one that can compare to ones I had back East.

The skinny sandwiches you get from the Philly Cheesteak Shop can not come close to comparing with the 'real ones'. l do get the largest ones they have there, but.... There are places all over the Bay area, etc., that sell cheesteak, but they are not even 1/4 as delicious as those back East. I have tasted quite a number at festivals and fairs and some of them aren't really too bad.

Here's a link which describes many of the Philly Cheesteak shops around the country.

http://www.bestcheesesteaks.com/

I've been to Amato's in San Jose and theirs are pretty decent, but not the greatest!! Quite a while back (1980's) there was a place located at the World Famous Farmer's Market in Los Angeles that served up the 2nd best Philly Cheesteak I've ever had. Each time we went to LA we always picked up some. However, it shut down. Too bad. I'd drive 380 miles for a cheesteak as good as that one!!!!

Oregon County Fairs

Each year in mid-July we pack up our motor home and head up to Oregon to sell at several county fairs. This year we are scheduled to participate in:

July 18-20 Oceanfest, Winchester Bay
July 22-26 Coos County Fair, Myrtle Point
July 30-3 Dechutes County Fair, Redmond
Aug 5-9 Douglas County Fair, Roseburg

Oregon is just such a nice place to visit and there are fairs virtually every week from May-September.

VENDORS: Many resources available that provide listings for these shows. http://www.craftmasternews.com/ is the best publication around. You also check Oregon County Fair listings on several websites which provide links and info for each event.

http://www.oregonfairs.org/dates.htm

Lovely shell necklaces

Please visit our website http://www.dandlcreations.com/ to see the lovely selection of shell necklaces that we make. Great prices. Any size from 13-25 inches. Priced from $4.95. You can't beat that!!!