xmass parade

[slvrback]

just got a call from the city clerk excepting me as 'vendor" at the holiday parade. then the town has tree lighting and a house tours afterwards. add in special sales on the maine strip and im thinking a very good day. the only problem is ill be set up outside if i can't get inside a store. looks like ill be shopping e-z up tents. they have electric set up at certain point. if anyone has been down this road maybe a story of the good and bad.. sugestions are always welcomed

[redanner]

How cold is it this time year?

[Shiva]

3 questions, what you painting? how many hours, and how cold?
CO2 tank if not doing t shirts for a lot of hours? and it even might work for an evening..
Heat setting would be a concern.

[slvrback]

3 questions, what you painting? how many hours, and how cold?
CO2 tank if not doing t shirts for a lot of hours? and it even might work for an evening..
Heat setting would be a concern.
1. it'll be face, arms,hands etc..
2. the parade starts at 11am, last about 1hr. i can stay all day for the rest of the events but just might hit the busy hrs and go. say 10am-1pm.
3. as far as the weather i have no idea. i was going to ride the route this week and see what stores i may be able to go inside. if not hten atent w side. lookingat a 10x10? what do you guys think?

[slvrback]

How cold is it this time year?
right now its in the low 50's. the problem is i wnt know if its gonna rain..would a tent work or just try to hook up w a store and go indoors.

[Skids]

I wouldn't be out in the cold doin that unless i WAS STARVING..... get inside and comfortable if you can!!

[sweet loretta]

We do plenty of these types of events. Yesterday it was cold and very windy and yes we were outside doing classic face painting and airbrush tattoos. Chilly but we were busy. And we don't do pay for events we are paid to be there by the city or event coordinator - even when a store hire us for this type of event we are most often outside their doors. And we are not starving - but this is the business we are in.

I think it will be unlikely a store will let you set up inside. What's in it for them? If you want in their store on a day they expect to have out their holiday best and have busy aisles - why would they have you taking up space. If you want inside a store you'd best be prepared with a very good face to face sell job.

And frankly if you are charging for your service you'll have better money making opportunity outside. So figure if you are outside - you need to check with the city and see what vendors normally do. I venture they are commercial 10x10 canopies - use one with sidewalls to keep in some heat and block chilly breezes. If too cold propane heaters may be allowed. (I am always surprised how many holiday events want vendors to use coleman lanterns for these night events to create ambiance. But too want you to add them and their cousins on as additionally insured!)
If you need / want power (as opposed to CO2) and plan to do events your going to have to invest in a power source. A battery inverter or a quite generator.

Then too head over to Uncle Wally's and stock up on disposable pocket handwarmers, even a good pair of fingerless neoprene gloves can be a godsend. Sometimes I'll hand the handwarmers to kids to hold while I spray them - they think it's cool and it helps distract from the cold tattooing. If it is too cold and if it is breezy I suggest just doing tattoos and forgo any more complex face art, because one it's cold and two as you're new a breeze or wind does have a learning curve.

Good luck.

[slvrback]

hey loretta, thanks for the advice. i was thinking about staying outside for the same reasons you mentioned. i did get a hold of the city clerk and the have outlets along the street already . all i have to do is let the right people know where i'll be and they'll unlock it for me. she also said there asking just $5 for the application. SWEET!!! the problem is weather. a tent is deff what im looking at getting this week. and the side area a must. ive priced the "E-Z UP TENTS" from there site but i found them a little expensive. any suggestion on where to get them??

[sweet loretta]

No recommendations other than go white as the more upscale events may require white only tents. I got mine at Costco about 9 yrs ago for $250 four walls and a carry case w/ wheels and use it several times a season.