The Eugene Saturday Market may be an exception to the rule. It started as a weekly craft fair 40 years ago. Food, entertainment, and then the farmers market followed. It is in all the tourist information things around town, and we do get a lot of tourists here. I go down only in good weather. Too many years of doing it in the rain has taken its toll on me, and it just isn't worth it. We do get a lot of rain here in Western Oregon, but April to October are fairly dry. The down town market is worth it most of the time, on the average, probably $200 or so. Average of all the booth's sales are around $120. We also move indoors the weekend before Thanksgiving for the 'Holiday Market' for every weekend till Christmas. This is worth it, and spaces are awarded on Seniority points, which include being down town a certain number of times each month.
The show isn't worth it every time I go. The side benefits are numerous. Half of the people who stop in your booth are other woodworkers. I can't resist talking shop. I get a lot of contacts for wood (trees and lumber) and other supplies. I do a lot of trading, especially at Christmas time. I do take my own wood bowl to the food booths, they seem to give me more food that way, even though I don't need it, and people see your wood bowl that may not see your booth. As always, I give out a lot of business cards. People do call you back, and seem willing to come by the house. Being fairly regular helps, they know where to come and look for you. Also, people do call the Market office trying to find you. Sales are never consistant for money amounts and what sells best. This is why there are 'averages'.
On top of all that, it is kind of fun, and since my booth is right behind the music stage, I keep up on the local music scene, the good, the bad and the ugly.
robo hippy
