Despite fears of rain, we ended up having an awesome night at ArtsWalk in Henderson tonight. Many of our vendors didn't show up for fear of being rained on, but the brave 14 who came had a great time and enjoyed some seriously good traffic thanks to the middle school musical performance set up in the amphitheater next door. The next ArtsWalk is scheduled for November 18th. As always, information is available here: www.HendersonArtswalk.com
The event is now under new leadership through the Water Street Business District Association and we are considering some changes for the event. As one of the event co-chairs, I have some input in these changes and want to ask for the team's feedback. Please let me know your positive or negative reaction to the following:
We are considering moving the event to Friday night so that we can benefit from the traffic that will be coming to the Friday night ArtBeat series. We're hoping that both putting this event on a weekend and coinciding with another major draw for crowds, our vendors will see much more traffic than they have in the past. We would keep the same hours - 5 to 8pm. The weekly Farmer's market next to our event would also be moved to Friday and extended to meet our hours so we can benefit from their traffic as well.
We're also interested in making this a weekly event. We would hold it every Friday in good weather. However, we wouldn't have vendors during the extreme hot or cold months (Jan, Feb, July, and Aug) since no one attends outdoor events in such extreme weather.
I'm very optimistic about ArtsWalk and have a lot of non-team members participating in the event as well. We are going to try and keep it at $5 vendor fee regardless of any changes in schedule.
13 comments:
Doesn't it get dark early now. How are you dealing with that.
We've got a good lighting situation these days - I think everyone was pretty happy tonight with lights they set up for us - am I wrong, vendors?
I think we're being presented with an awesome opportunity to establish an arts /crafts market in Henderson. Personally, Fridays are better for me because of work. What I like about this proposal is that there is a concerted effort to have other events going on during the hours we'd be out there. And it is a huge committment by the WS Business District to move the Farmer's Market so they have the same hours as we do. Lighting is always going to be an issue any time you plan to vend outside during the winter--and again that has been addressed. Thank you Sarah for your efforts--opportunities like this don't come everyday. We have a chance to put Handmade in Vegas on the map and we'd be crazy not to jump on it! Put me down for a huge YES!!
I think moving the event to Fridays is the best idea I've heard in a long time. Especially with the farmer's market and Artbeat going on at the same time. It never made sense to me to hold a family event on a school/work night! I personally would definitely go out on Friday nights.
Fridays work better for me too. I would love to participate but it has hard for me to get off work early on Thursdays. I don't think I would participate in the event every week. My businees is too small at this point. I like the once a month schedule. However, a weekly event would give vendors a chance to select the weeks that work best for them.
Won't this conflict somewhat with First Friday?
I agree, Friday nights are so much better. I took my kids down at about 6:00 last night and it was pretty empty. Getting dinner made, homework done (especially since my child's all has to be turned in on Friday), etc. on a Thursday just doesn't leave much wiggle room for me to vend. As far as holding it weekly, it should allow for some rotation in our group as well. Not many of us will come EVERY week -- but this will allow us to pick and choose. Those who do First Friday will have 3 (or 4) other Fridays to choose from as well.
Friday sounds good. Third friday gives those people who went to first friday time to relax and space between.
Sarah,
Your thoughts on the changes are probably the best thing that could happen to ArtsWalk. I think once a week would get a better following. Friday is also better because it gives local people something in the neighborhood to attend on a regular basis. The local farmers markets are established because of a weekly venue.
Can't worry about First Friday, that is a Las Vegas event and this is about Henderson. Some vendors might want to attend First Friday and other shows and that is fine. The vendors will always have a place to come back to when they are not stretching their wings at more distant events. Henderson's ArtsWalk needs more participation and your ideas could only help.
I think all of the changes mentioned will be fabulous! With bad weather, I have to wait until the next month to sell. Weekly means more opportunities to sell, and easier to remember for the public. Also, I can rotate out product - maybe do jewelry one week, scrapbooks the next. Thanks for working so hard for the team, Sarah!
I think moving to Friday is a great idea! It will be much easier on my family, as they always come with. I also like the weekly setup. It will give me a much better chance at getting recognized and getting regular buyers whom I recognize as well.
The lighting was GREAT this last time. The big balls gave off plenty of light and were really cool to look at.
I’m with the “Friday is better” crowd. Having school-age kids makes attending Thursday night activities out of town difficult for me. I also like the idea of having more evenings during the month to choose from.
Sorry we didn't take our chance on the rain last month!!!
I always thought that Thursday evenings might be the reason for the crowd size. Fridays seem better!
But I still like the idea of once a month. If First Friday was every Friday we'd probably see a quarter of the people each week!
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