Most good shows require advance registration, often 6 or months in advance.  This means we are paying ahead for a show when we have no idea of what the weather will bring.

Take this last weekend for example.  The Columbus day weekend is the launch for the fall and Christmas buying season.  There are many great shows to choose from and many of them are out of doors.

In our part of the world we have spent this weekend in shorts and T Shirts one year and snow gear the next.

One thing we usually do not worry about is bad weather keeping crowds away.   As a matter of fact great weather, especially in the fall can lower attendance.  People are using warm sunny weather to finish yard work or other outside tasks.

Poor weather, cold or wet can bring the crowds since there is nothing else to do but there are exceptions.

If the setup is in large tents or buildings people can avoid being drenched,  but  there is no place to hide when artists setup individual booths in rows.  But since the rent is paid the weathers effect on attendance is a moot point.

The important thing is to get through the weekend a comfortable fashion.

If the weather is cold and wet the first thing we consider is keeping the booth dry and our feet warm.  Some shows offer straw or hay to throw down in puddles.   We have seen some booths use mats or carpets to keep the mud down.

If you are lucky, or clever, you will have a well drained location.

We usually bring hats, gloves, wind proof jackets, fleece jackets, sweat pants, wind pants, insulated underwear, rain coats, umbrellas, shorts, sandals, t shirts, light shoes, boots, extra socks, blankets and what ever else we may need at the last minute.  All this may sound like a lot, but most of it packs into a few carry bags and it’s well worth the trouble.

We find that sitting on a blanket will keep cold air off our backs.  Use a “hunters seat”, a cushion filled with small heat retaining beads, to keep a warm butt.  These can be found in outdoor stores or the camping section of department stores.  We don’t bother with chemical or fluid hand warmers.  A nice pair of mittens and warm pockets work fine but there are a number of appliances available.

The key is, be prepared for anything and everything.  Roasting or shivering all weekend is no fun!