We're Having a Heat Wave

Sunday, 9:00-5:00

Holy crap, it's hot this weekend! Sitting in my booth all day at the festival, I kept hoping no one would mention the number of degrees because I had a feeling that would make me even hotter. Even the veteran outdoor show vendors were complaining. I was keeping my whining to myself until I realized it wasn't just me. The customers were complaining too. It was hot & sticky. I used my hand sanitizer regularly, trying to keep my hands from getting too sticky to stitch.

This location on Canandaigua Lake is notorious for quick storms popping up - I've been hearing horror stories from other vendors for years. Tents ruined. Tents floating in the lake. So we all agreed, a little (or a lot) of heat was preferable to almost any other weather extreme.

When I arrived at my tent yesterday morning, it seemed a little flappy to me. Looking around I noticed some tents had more Velcro strips down the legs than ours did. So I called an audible and made a dash to the nearby Lowe's and bought 8 clamps, the kind that look like giant clothespins and put two on each leg. That was better.

Once I got the front and back of the tent opened up, the breeze had somewhere to go so that was better too. I happened to be next to a light pole from which I'd read I could get electricity but I couldn't figure out how. Coupled with the delightful breeze, I left my clip-on fan in the car.

Then the breeze died and only rose, slightly, occasionally. I kept wiping myself down with the wet wipes I'd brought. I stayed hydrated with all the water I'd brought in my cooler.

I have a great spot, as I mentioned yesterday. The rest of the arts & crafts layout seemed a little helter skelter with no clear walking path. Early Saturday morning my jewelry vendor friends behind me moved their entire tent from behind me to set up in the empty space next to me. They had a generator from which I will plug my fan in today. He also told me how he's going to get electricity from that light pole. The organizers have to bring a ladder - the connection is at the top. I figured it had to be - they wouldn't make them low on the pole for any Tom, Dick or Harry to use year round, know what I mean?

Sales are good, as my fellow vendors agree. Not through the roof, but decent enough. This is my first time in this town so a lot of people are seeing my art for the first time and that's always fun. A good number of friends stopped by, I always love that. Some repeat customers, always a good sign.

All day I kept fantasizing about the drive home with every vent focused on me, blasting cold air. By the end of the day, I had to admit, I was so hot and so tired that I found myself ever so slightly teary when I finally got to the car for the drive home.

I feel better today - - - and off we go!