130th Bok Kai Festival

The Bok Kai Parade and Festival March 20, 2010. Please click here to read our review from 2009.

This event is held in the Chinatown district of Marysville, CA yearly. click here for website Vendor Application They do not have any info regarding booths for vendors and there is no listing in Craftmaster's. They get a good turnout for this event and I was amazed at the total length of the parade. Several hours and quite enjoyable.

The Bok Kai Festival, honoring Bok Eye, the Chinese God of Water, pays tribute to the many Chinese who worked the gold mines in the 1800s.

The 129th Bok Kai Festival, reputed to be the oldest continually held parade in California . The Festival opens with a 5K Run/Walk. Registration for the Run/Walk begins in front of the Bok Kai Temple on 1st Street at 8:15 a.m.; The Run/Walk starts at 9:00 a.m. The Parade, starting 11:00 a.m, begins on 6th and D Streets, and is followed by Lung Huang, the 150-ft golden dragon as he noisily winds and dances his way through the historic town of Marysville. Lung Huang's entourage includes lion dancers, martial arts demonstrations, floats and more. Lung Huang is currently been in the Bok Kai Festival since 1991. It is anticipayed that a new, larger dragon will be sited in 2008.

The parade remains a unique small town parade and Festivaunmarred by the commercial smoothness and artificial slickness that often accompanies other venues as they evolve. Following the parade, scheduled multi-cultural entertainment for the entire family including Lion Dancing & Martial Arts by the Hop Sing Society will take place at the corner of 3rd and D Street.

Quartzsite-Tyson Wells Events in 2010

QUARTZSITE/TYSON WELLS SHOW SCHEDULE FOR 2010.

IMPORTANT: 2009-2010 SEASON REQUIREMENTS FOR VENDING IN THE TOWN OF QUARTZSITE, ARIZONA. You'll need a City Business License to do shows in the area. Arizona Transaction Tax License (AZ Tax ID Number)

TYSON WELLS MARKET SQUARE Oct 1st 2009 - Mar. 30th 2010
Annual RICE RANCH "Yawl Come" SHOW Nov 1st 2009 - Feb 28th 2010
MAIN STREET TRADERS OPEN YEAR ROUND Nov 1st 2009 - Feb 28th 2010
HI ALI SWAPMEET Nov 1st 2009 - Mar 28th 2010
MARKET PLACE SHOWGROUNDS Nov 1st 2009 - Feb 28th 2010
PROSPECTOR'S PANORAMA Nov 1st 2009 - Feb 15th 2010
GREASEWOOD SWAP Dec 1st 2009 - April 1st 2010
CLUB FAIR Nov 7th 2009
SENIOR CENTER
7th ANNUAL Christmas Light Parade Dec. 5TH

for more events, please visit our website for more listings

Sunday, January 25. A bit cooler today and quite windy during the PM. Last day of the event and the crowds were not too large (again). Economy. We began packing mid-afternoon and had everything in containers by 5:00. Many of the vendors were long gone by that time and I think that it wasn't a very good show for many of them also. We closed up our canopy with our things inside and will load up in the morning and head off to Blythe, of all places to pick up some groceries and get a steak dinner. click here to read more

Indio International Tamale Festival - Dec 5-6, 2009

INDIO INTERNATIONAL TAMALE FESTIVAL - OLD TOWN INDIO (December 5 - 6, 2009) Ranked as one of the top 10 "All-American Food Festivals" in the nation by Food Network-TV. More than 125,000 tamale lovers fill the streets of Old Town Indio to sample every type of tamale one can possibly imagine. Activities include a festive holiday parade, carnival, Mexican Folkloric dancing and a variety of live entertainment for all ages.(760) 391-4175

Website: http://www.tamalefestival.net/Photo.html

Vendor application:

http://www.tamalefestival.net/Acrobat/2009/09VendorRulesApp.pdf A&C $375 Comm $475

2009 Jefferson County Fair

Jefferson County Fair, Madras, OR July 22-25

Absolutely the worst County Fair we have ever sold at. Our vendor booths were located in an obscure area of the fairgrounds. Grass field in front of us had many droppings from the cow family. The public could care less about buying from the vendor.

Very poor lighting in our area and extremely bad accessability for the visitors. Spoke to Sandy Foreman who was in charge of the vendors and told me that she would 'get back to me that afternoon.' Never did. Could care less. They got their money from us. Put the 6 vendors in a corner and forget about us. Vendors, do not even think about doing this event. The Worst.

Please click here to read more about the Jefferson County Fair

Visit our Vendor Forum

30th Castroville Artichoke Festival

Sat/Sun May 16-17. This event is held in Castroville which is located approx 20 miles north of Monterey on Highway 156. We will be there selling shell necklaces, shell creations, wrap-around skirts & sarongs and a whole lot more. DandL CREATIONS

On May 16 and 17, 2009, they will be celebrating the 50th annual Artichoke Festival in the community of Castroville, in Monterey County, California. This two-day festival draws large crowds of people who enjoy arts & crafts, tasty food, musical entertainment, cooking demonstrations, a car show and a parade. Last year’s festival was their best yet! Click here for vendor application.

AGRO ART Competition: AGRO art is 3-dimensional fruit and vegetable artwork. This quirky competition fosters imagination, creativity and fun for both participants and the viewing public.

PARADE: Our sanctioned parade is one of the largest and most colorful of its kind.
MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT: Two days of live music! Everything from Swing to Mariachi, Country to 50's Rock & Roll.
CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES: Games, face paints, clowns, stilt walkers, puppets and more!FOOD: Artichokes fried, sautéed, grilled, marinated, pickled, fresh, and creamed in soup. Plus foods from the many ethnic groups that give this area its character.
FOOD: Artichokes fried, sautéed, grilled, marinated, pickled, fresh, and creamed in soup. Plus foods from the many ethnic groups that give this area its character.
COOKING DEMOS: The area's finest showcase the versatility and unique techniques for preparing and using artichokes.
WINE TASTING: Sample the best from the area's award winning producers.
ARTS & CRAFTS: Unique gifts and apparel crafted by artisans from throughout the country. Plus artichoke souvenirs galore!
FARMERS MARKET: Artichokes and more, fresh from the heart of the salad bowl.
FIELD TOURS: Hop a bus to the artichoke patch for grower talks and photo ops.
Please No Pets. (I second that motion!)

Please visit Starving Vendors where I have placed many of my reviews of events that we have done. Check out our new forum, where you can comment on shows, promoters, etc. Brand new.

Rinconada Hills Center Bazaar - Los Gatos, CA

Ronconada Hills Center Bazaar. Saturday, March 28 from 9AM-4PM. I guess this is a new location for this promoter's show and is held the last Saturday of the month from 9AM-4PM. Located at 1500 Pollard Road at the shopping center. click here for more info. Alpha Zeta Events. Click on the 'poster' to see larger image.

Tucson 4th Avenue Street Fair

THE NEXT TUCSON 4TH AVENUE STREET FAIR IS March 20-21-22. There are two Street Fairs per year, one in spring and one in winter. The The Street Fair takes place between Ninth Street and University Blvd. along Fourth Avenue. Free to the public, the Fourth Avenue Street Fair brings together 400+ arts and crafts booths, 35+ food vendors, 2 stages, street musicians, food, jugglers, street performers, “VAN GROW” kids hands-on-art area, face painting, balloons, and tons of other fun activities, then packs them into three days of celebration.

The Fourth Avenue Street Fair began in 1970 when Fourth Avenue merchants put tables in front of their stores to attract customers before the holidays. From that beginning it has developed into one of the premier street fairs in the nation, drawing crowds of 200,000 to 350,000 and ranking as one of the top visual arts fairs in the country.

Venues for Vendors: A bit pricey for this three day event. There are at least three promoters of booth spaces within the show.

The Parking Lot. Set up your booth in The Parking Lot (TPL), at the heart of the Tucson 4th Avenue Street Fair, just a few short blocks from the University of Arizona. Located on the corner of 4th Avenue and 5th Street (Tucson, Arizona), TPL provides a prime location for vendor booth rentals at one of the largest street fairs in the United States. The 4th Avenue Street Fair is free to the public. Too late for November...next event is March 20-22. We've done this lot several times. Good location. Near middle of event. However, high school groups playing alongside are quite loud. Porta potties next to the lot. Paved. Long line for the tri-tip sandwiches next door...must be great!!! Traffic flow is somewhat okay. Maybe 10 percent of passers-by enter the lot. Not too much of a difference if you are located in the back. They do walk all the way around. Commercial goods accepted.

Dingwell's Lot. 238 N. 4th Avenue, Tucson, AZ. Contact Don Dingwell 520-882-5657. Need to call him for fees. No website or email address. We were in his lot a couple years ago and there was rain and it turned quite muddy. When dry, the sand blows all over the place. However, you can get into this lot with general merchandise (commercial) and there is really great traffic flow...even though most of the people walk in..go all the way to the end and around the garbage can and go out. This is toward the beginning of the show, so you get a lot of lookers, but they are not tired from walking around.

International Lao New Year Festival 2009

2009 INTERNATIONAL LAO NEW YEARS FESTIVAL
Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco, CA

Saturday, April 11, 200 910 AM - 5 PM all day - free event
Civic Center Plaza (link to googlemaps)between Asian Art Museum and City Hall San Francisco, California.

vendors: • Main Entrance Booths $1,500• Food Booths $1,200 2nd booth $600 (does not include health and food permits from City of San Francisco) • Businesses $900 • Arts/crafts/textiles $700
• Non-profits/public service $350

Buddha Image Procession and Parade
Suukhwan/Baci New Year Welcoming Ceremony
“Buffalo Roaming” - Story Writing on Life Size Herd of Water Buffalos
Kato Lao Championship Demonstration
Tam Maak Huung/Green Papaya Salad Contest

Kite Making and Kite Flying

New Year Water Splashing Activities
Khene Music with Master Bounseung Synanonh
Lam Folk songs with Mr. Khamta Mounisay
Jonny Olsen
Traditional Music and Dance Performances

click here to see program listing

Craft Show Vendor Liability Insurance

IMPORTANT:  I have written a book about our experiences selling at Street Fairs, festivals, A&C Shows, fairs, flea markets.  I know that you will really find reading it quite enjoyable and you'll be able to relate to a lot of things that I describe.  Having to endure 71 mph winds, heavy rains, floods, lying and cheating promoters.  You'll love it.  Only $14.95.  Street Fairs for profit, fun and madness

I have been compiling a listing of companies that offer insurance for vendors at craft shows, festivals, etc.

Specialty Insurance Agency. I looked at their website and it's hard to find info about policies. The policies run from September to August and it's roughly $350 per year. You really need to wait until September in order to get your money's worth. I have a friend who is insured through them and he says they are excellent. They also have an ad in Craftmaster News (pg 121 Feb/Mar issue) paper issue. You may subscribe to this publication. Best around.

Center West Insurance Agency. Tel 800-455-6974. centerwestinsurance@lanset,com I saw their ad in Craftmaster and looked at their website but didn't see anything about specific policies. Recommend emailing them for info.

RLI Home Business Insurance. This looks like it might be decent. Check it out.

To see more, please visit my website for the complete listing

If you know of any others, please let me know.... thank you

Contemporary Crafts Market - San Francisco

2009 Contemporary Crafts Market. March 14-15, 2009.
Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA.
View their website for more info and listing of vendors.

10:00 am - 5:00 pm, DailyAdmission $7, Children 12 & Under FREE(San Francisco, Calif.) The Contemporary Crafts Market will return to San Francisco’s historic Fort Mason Center March 14-15, 2009, and will showcase over 230 of the nation’s finest artists and their distinctive works.

As the premiere event for one-of-a-kind functional and decorative crafts, the show will present a broad range of pieces including intricate jewelry, unique glassware and ceramics, hand-painted textiles, custom furniture, mixed-media creations and much more. All items on display and for sale have been jury-selected for their exceptional quality.

All the work in these shows is made by the participating artists. All the artists are residents in the United States. The participants have undergone a rigorous screening process to qualify as participants in this show and we are proud to showcase them.

March Breezes on Main - Yuma, AZ

March Breezes Arts and Crafts Festival, Yuma, AZ March 13-15, 2009.

The last of four events on Main Street in downtown Yuma.
vendor application

Food and Craft booths $175 (3 days) 10x10; $250 for 10x20. website Yuma Heritage

Mardi Gras Celebration - Marysville, CA

Mardi Gras Celebration "Joe Cain Days"February 21 & 22, 2009
1 - 530 - 265 - 2692
Downtown Nevada City, California

Cajun Cooking fills the air! Purple, Green, and Gold Balloons adorn the street settings.Spectators cheer as the Masks Societies parade through town.One of the finest Family Oriented Mardi Gras celebrations around!

Prior to the Civil War, Mardi Gras was celebrated regularly in the South. During the Civil War there was no Mardi Gras. The spirits of the people were down. Several years after the war in 1866, Joseph Stillwell Cain got together with six of his friends in Mobile, Alabama. On Mardi Gras day they paraded through the town making as much noise as they could so that most all the people came out to see what was happening. History was made that day. Joe Cain became a hero, and ended up appearing in every Mardi Gras celebration until his death in 1904.Nevada City was officially sanctioned in 1993 as the only city outside of Mobile, Alabama to celebrate Joe Cain’s Mardi Gras Celebration Days!

Holtville Carrot Festival

WHAT'S UP, DOC? The 62nd Holtville Carrot Festival Saturday & Sunday, February 7th & 8th, 2009 is what's up.Vendor application website- Holtville Chamber of Commerce Holtville Business License is required - $12.00 Arts and Crafts $50 one day, $75 for two days; Commercial crafts $75/$100.

The week-long Holtville Carrot Festival is held every year in February. The festival includes a golf tournament, carrot cooking contest, arts & crafts fair, carnival rides and the Carrot Festival Parade. Click here to download schedule of events for the upcoming 2009

Whiskey Flat Days - Kernville, CA

54th Annual Whiskey Flat Days, Kernville, CA. Feb 13-16, 2009. website and vendor application info. One of the most popular Festivals in all of Southern California. A short 3 hour drive from Los Angeles to the Lake Isabella recreation area and the quaint town of Kernville (50 miles east of Bakersfield on Hwy 178). Whiskey Flat is a leap back to the good ol' wild west days when the area was settled by gold miners, cattle ranchers and trappers. Join us when Kernville reverts to its old name "Whiskey Flat" for four nostalgic days of fun for the entire family. I quoted this from their website.
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This event is not listed in Craftmaster's yet. I guess that they get around 50,000 visitors for the event. They have a really nice parade and other festivities. Great show if you can survive the drive through the Kern River Valley and if you can find an inexpensive motel room. Lots of curves. It snowed here 4 years ago and they often do get some rain, but not much. Kind of cold in he morning.

Please check my review of this past year's Whiskey Flat Days. Quite a large number of vendors do this event. They come from L.A., Bay Area, Modesto area, Sacramento and other places. Good crowds.

Tyson Wells Sell a Rama

Haven't been able to enter any shows for here. We are currently selling at the Tyson Wells Sell a Rama in Arizona. Please be sure to read our daily log to see what's going on there:

http://www.starvingvendors.com/events_Tyson_Wells_Sellarama_2009.html

Heading to Tyson Wells

We will be at the Tyson Wells Sell-a-Rama from January 14-25 in space X-19 and at the Arts and Crafts Fair from Jan 28-Feb 14 in space PQ-3. Stop by and see us. This event is huge with over 900 vendors selling anything and everything. The show is visited by many snowbirds who come down in their RV's escaping the cold, damp, snowy, miserable weather.

Anyway, I probably will not be entering very many events on this website until I return home in mid-February. Internet access is difficult there and will not be on-line very much, mostly to just check my email. We are gaining new readers of this blog every day and I hope that everybody is enjoying reading about upcoming events, etc. You might want to check out Western Artists and Vendors where I cover many topics mostly pertaining to vendors and life on the road, etc.

Starving Vendors is another website and is gaining in popularity also. I have many reviews of shows that we have done and a lot more information. There are people who spend hours at a time just scouring over the website, as there is quite a bit to read and there are parts that are very entertaining. I will try to update the Tyson Wells Sell-a-Rama 2009 page and keep a running tab on what's happening over there in the Quartzsite area. There are several popular pages on the website, with the most popular being European Festivals. You might want to check out Your Daily Dose, which often tells about new pages, shows and life, in general. If you need a good laugh or two, then The Funny Farm might tickle your fancy.

If you are interested in shell necklaces, wrap-around skirts, shoulder bags, you might enjoy a visit to our main website, DandL CREATIONS. You won't be able to order anything though until we come back, as I have disabled payment methods because we can't ship until we get home.

Fantasy Fest - Key West, FL

FANTASY FEST, Key West, FL. October 23-November 1, 2009

Traditionally October has been a slow time for tourism in the Keys, but since its inception, Fantasy Fest® has continually boosted the economy by filling up hotel rooms and inundating local businesses, restaurants, and bars during this time period. The tremendous influx of visitors during the ten days of the festival sustains the local economy until the holiday season begins. Fantasy Fest is committed to extending the time that visitors stay by encouraging the creation of diverse events throughout the entire ten days. The opportunity to show off the imaginative and resourceful spirit that defines the Keys excites participants as well as the thousands that are drawn to the Keys.

World Buskers Festival

World Buskers Festival. January 22-February 1, 2009. Christchurch, New Zealand.

Organised pandemonium takes over Christchurch, New Zealand, as each January locals and visitors of all ages flock to open-air city malls, the city’s cultural precinct, and out to the seaside suburb of New Brighton to witness the world’s very best busker talent: the World Buskers Festival. Belly laughs, amazement, admiration, and surprise fill their lives for ten days every summer.

This is when artists, from countries as diverse as Portugal, UK, Japan, Australia, Italy, the USA wing their way to Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island, to provide over four-hundred free shows – although, as it’s their livelihood, optional donations are always welcome.
"The festival’s reputation for excellence and our great locations here in the heart of Christchurch’s cultural and heritage precinct are big drawcards for both international and domestic visitors, as well as for local residents, and it has become an icon event for the city" festival director Jodi Wright tells me. Such is the reputation of this event that, sitting in her office under the old university observatory, Jodi is inundated with pleas for an invitation from buskers around the world.

40th Annual Texas Rice Festival

Texas Rice Festival Vendor Application
Bar-B-Que Weekend September 25th & 26th
2009 Festival Dates Sep 30-Oct 4

The Texas Rice Festival is an annual harvest celebration held the first weekend of October honoring rice farming, which is a major economic activity in the region of Southeast Texas around the town of Winnie, Texas. The first Texas Rice Festival was held in downtown Winnie in 1969. The event is now a week-long event held in Winnie-Stowell park which has a permanent grandstand which was built for the event.

The festival includes a carnival, parades, livestock show, open horse show, BBQ cook off, nightly street dances, antique car show, cooking contest, pageants, karaoke, and features food made with rice and featuring the flavors of the Cajun culture which is strong in the area. Typical fare includes rice balls, gumbo, ettouffe, pistolettes, blooming onions, crab balls, boudain balls, funnell cakes and many other delicacies. The event is renowned for its outstanding cuisine.

Cloud's Jamboree

CLOUD'S 8th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL ROCK, GEM & JEWELRY SHOW, JANUARY 2009.

This event runs from Jan 1-31 and is held at the Avi Casino, near Laughlin, NV. Free! Open to the Public. Outdoor show 9am to dusk Jan. 1 -31 Indoor show 10am - 6pm Jan 9 - 18

Cloud's Jamboree Website
vendor info: http://www.cloudsjamboree.com/res-form_outdoor.htm

I guess that this event is gaining in popularity since settling down here 7-8 years ago after leaving Quartzsite. I have not found very much info on this event, but do know that spaces are $400, but I do not know how large they are, etc. They have rooms over at the Avi Casino for $30 per night, but that's a lot to shell out for a month there. I guess that RV'v park in the Camping Area next door or you might be able to get selling spaces where you can bring your RV. I drove past this event a couple years ago and spaces looked kind of large and spread out.

I've visited Laughlin many times visiting several of the 7-8 casinos there. The Avi Casino is located several miles from there. Buffets are nothing to speak of, as the ones in Las Vegas have the ones in Laughlin beat (Bellagio, Paris, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, etc.) Every time I have visited the Laughlin area, I have experienced very strong, sustaining winds and I am not talking about itty-bitty breezes either. They get pretty strong and blow stuff all over the place.

Makers of Small Toys - Arts & Crafts - HR4040

HR4040 DOOMSDAY FOR A&C MAKERS OF TOYS, CHILDREN'S CLOTHING, etc.

PLEASE HELP THESE PEOPLE AND VOTE AGAINST IT and if possible, contact your Congressman/woman. You may no longer be able to buy lovely hand-made toys and children's clothing at your favorite A&C Festivals and Events. PLEASE HELP THIS PEOPLE. Just take a few minutes.

Toy makers may win lead-testing exemptionRules on lead threatened to hurt those who create handcrafted items Dec. 24, 2008, 8:14PM SAN FRANCISCO — The makers of handcrafted toys received some holiday hope Wednesday with support from a federal agency for proposed exemptions from strict lead-testing regulations they feared could put them out of business.

Last year's discovery of lead paint in mass-market toys prompted the government to pass new safety rules requiring testing and labeling that mom-and-pop workshops and retailers said they could not afford.As a February deadline for complying with the law loomed, toy makers who use materials such as unfinished wood, organic cotton and beeswax sought exemptions from the rules.In a memo released Wednesday, Consumer Product Safety Commission staffers recommended that the agency exempt some natural materials from the lead testing requirements continue this story but please come back and read the rest of this important blog entry.

Here is more info on HR4040.For more information on this please check

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-4040 This is about the HR4040 bill that was passed in December.Here is what somebody wrote on their blog.

The following are from a couple fellow 'crafters' and is quite interesting to read.http://pinaforesandknickerbockers.blogspot.com/2008/12/disturbing-law.html

http://babyswagspr.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/supporting-small-businesses-cpsia-law-issues/

Help Save Handmade Toys in the USA from the CPSIA - Hand-made Toy Alliance. http://sites.google.com/site/handmadetoyalliance/ You can vote here or get info on contacting Congress about this matter.

Save Handmade Toys From the CPSIA http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

I can see a lot of people will be taking an interest in the toy issue as it involves the crafters. There are a number of people out there who make children's clothing for a living and sell at various events. Also affected could be the makers of children's toys or the vendors that import toys from China or anyplace else. Sounds like big problems for some vendors and if I were in their shoes, I would be mighty worried right now. As if the vendors don't have expenses already, they could possibly have to pay around $85 per test. I'll bet that the company that produces testing products is going to make a lot of money out of this and it would not surprise me if they put money in our Congressman's/woman's pockets.

The Maker Faire - San Mateo, CA

MAKER FAIRE. May 30-31, 2009. San Mateo County Expo Center, San Mateo, CA photos
more photos-flickr

'The Maker Faire is all about making things, like a better mousetrap, or at least a life size version of the legendary Mousetrap board game, complete with bathtub and crazy stairs. The only difference with our game is that we have taken the trap that comes down and lands on the mouse and replaced [it] with a two-ton bank safe that we crush things with. We crush things like cars and motorcycles,' said Mark Perez, mousetrap maker."



Build, CRAFT, hack, play, MAKE.
Arts • Crafts • Engineering • Food • Green • Music • Science • Technology
LEARN TO MAKE, CRAFT, DESIGN OR DEVELOP:• Robots • Rockets • Bicycles • Alternative Energy Devices • Electronics • Crafts• Circuit Boards • Sustainable Food • Musical Instruments • Wood Working• Knitting • Eco Modding Cars • Kites • Special Effects • Sewing • and more...

Maker Faire is a two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset. It's for creative, resourceful people of all ages and backgrounds who like to tinker and love to make things. So much to see, you will need 2 days to see it all!

Great Arizona Beer Festival

Event hours are 2 pm to 6 pm daily. Tempe Beach Park is located at the corner of Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway in Tempe, AZ. For more information: http://www.azbeer.com/ or call 480-774-8300. No pets. No firearms. No one under 21 will be admitted. You must have valid photo-ID to enter. No refunds, all sales are final. Event is held rain or shine. Persons who appear to be intoxicated will be assisted out of the festival

Tickets are now on sale for the 21st Annual Great Arizona Beer Festival that will be held Saturday and Sunday March 7 and 8, 2009 at Tempe Beach Park. Rick Scott, chairman of the event says, “Now would be a good time to buy tickets for a Holiday stocking-stuffer while also doing something good for charity.” Unlike other beer tasting events, one-hundred percent of proceeds benefits Sun Sounds of Arizona, a reading service for people who are blind or whose disability prevents them from reading printed material. (http://sunsounds.org/)

The Festival features tastes of more than 100 specialty and micro brewed beers, live music, games and fun for people age 21 and over. Entertainment will be provided by two great bands, the Crown Kings and Mystic Blue. The all-inclusive admission price is the same as last year, $40 in advance for general admission and $50 at the gate. VIP tickets are $80 in advance and $90 at the gate. (VIP tickets are limited to 500 per day.) General admission and VIP tickets include entrance to the event, a souvenir tasting mug, 24 sampling tickets and enjoyment of live music on stage. In addition, VIP tickets include entry to the “VIP Experience” a private VIP seating area with catered food, shade, separate restrooms, early one hour admittance, an event tee shirt and a gift bag.

Chesterfield Beer Festival

Lichfield Winter Beer and Wine Festival

Noon-11.00pm each dayTickets £1.00 before 5.30pmFriday £2.00 after 5.30pm hfSaturday £2.50 after 5.30pm This very popular community festival returns to its favourite 'watering hole' - the magnificent Guildhall.

Enjoy over 35 real ales from local Midland brewers and draught beers from Germany and Belgium. There will also be a wide range of traditional ciders and over twenty wines from Staffordshire to South Africa. Not forgetting light snacks and the 'Famous Pork Pies'.
You will be entertained on Saturday night by the wonderful Si Genaro who plays storming harmonica and guitar, with fine songs to sing along to. If that's not enough he has a wacky sense of humour!

The 19th Battersea Beer Festival

How about a beer festival in London. February 11-13, 2009. I liked the flyer, so I decided to post it. The 19th Battersea Beer Festival will be held from Wednesday 11 to Friday 13 February 2009 at the usual venue, Battersea Arts Centre (BAC). The venue is less than eight minutes walk from Clapham Junction station and buses 77, 87, 156, 345 & G1 stop right outside the BAC.
Opening times are 12.00 - 23.00 each day. Admission is £2 before 17.00 and £3 thereafter with a £1 reduction for CAMRA members at all times.

Over 160 Real Ales from across Britain will be available over the course of the festival, along with foreign beers, ciders and perries in the Lower Hall. Click to download a pdf file of the Provisional Beer List (56KB). Traditional Polish and other food will be available in the servery at all sessions from Kam our excellent caterer. More info

Starving Vendors - Page One! Features

Please visit Page One, the newest feature of our Starving Vendors website. Read the top headlines and stories relating to vendors, artists, issues, etc. along with appropiate links. Around the corner, around the world, around the clock, we bring you the important stuff you need to read.

We have loads of reviews from festivals that we have done along with relevant information for vendors. crafters, artists, etc.

Pages of event listings include European and Philippine Festivals, Flea Markets, etc,

Sacramento Jazz Jubilee/Festival

36th Annual Sacramento Jazz Jubilee/Festival, Memorial Day Weekend, May 22-25, 2009. Several venues in Old Sacramento and the Convention Center.

The 2009 Sacramento Jazz Festival kicks off with a concert by the world-famous Count Basie Orchestra on Thursday evening, May 21st at the Radisson Hotel. The Count Basie Orchestra of today consists of 18 musicians who make this American Institution swing as powerfully as it ever has. The Basie orchestra has won every respected jazz poll in the world at least once, is in demand for world tours and recordings, and continues to accumulate awards and special recognition.

Featured Bands: Tom Rigney and Flambeau Cornet Chop Suey Mumbo Gumbo
Bill Allred's Classic Jazz Band Royal Society Jazz Orchestra Zydeco Flames
Mick Martin´s Blues Rockers BED
And 600 other performances

ASD/AMD TRADE SHOWS - Las Vegas

March 15-18 Las Vegas, NV

Welcome to ASD/AMD - your premier source for merchandise and industry news. Vendor/Exhibitor Info

Variety Merchandise Show Sands Expo Center & Las Vegas Convention Center - The nation's largest merchandise show featuring products at all price points and categories. Our specialized floor sections will assist you in finding the products you need more quickly and easily. With so many new sources and products to choose from, you will easily navigate your way to the most profitable merchandise mix for your retail needs.

Gift Show Sands Expo Center -- The ASD/AMD Las Vegas Gift Show is the largest national gift show in the West. As a component of the three-in-one ASD/AMD Trade Show Las Vegas, this show lets you source products in the powerfully competitive center--the price range that appeals to the largest number of number of consumers--from leading vendors offering great merchandise at unbeatable prices.

Jewelry Show The ASD/AMD Las Vegas Jewelry Show at the Mirage Events Center & Grand Ballroom is known for its unique roster of exhibitors. Traditional jewelry show wholesalers and exclusive wholesalers and suppliers that only exhibit at ASD/AMD Las Vegas. More than 350 companies in 700 exhibits provide the broadest possible selection of wholesale fine and fashion jewelry at single show. Providing you even greater flexibility with the immediate delivery option on select items.

Movie Festivals and Events Worldwide

LARGE LISTING OF MOVIE FESTIVALS AND EVENTS WORLDWIDE.

I just found quite a number of listings for Movie/Film Festivals that I think some people would enjoy browsing through. Here's the ones for January, 2009:

January 8-19 Palm Springs International Film Festival (Palm Springs, California, USA)
January 9-11 Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival (Nevada City, California, USA)
January 10 Taos Shortz Film Fest (Taos, New Mexico, USA)
January 14-19 The New York Jewish Film Festival (New York, New York, USA)
January 14-25 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)
January 15-25 Sundance Film Festival (Park City, Utah, USA)
January 16-18 Bourne to Die Horror Film Festival (Christchurch, Dorset, UK)
January 16-18 San Joaquin Children's Film Festival (Stockton, California, USA)
January 16-18 Trail Dance Film Festival (Duncan, Oklahoma, USA)
January 17-18 Honolulu Film Festival (Honolulu, Hawaii, USA)
January 21-23 Zombieshortfest International Zombie Short Film Festival (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
January 23-24 Bellows Falls Film Fest (Bellows Falls, Vermont, USA)
January 24-25 Canada International Film Festival (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
January 30-February 7 Clermont-Ferrand Short-Film Festival (Clermont-Ferrand, France)
January 30-February 8 Victoria Film Festival (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada)

Tucson Gem, Mineral Shows, etc,. 2009

LISTING OF THIS YEAR'S SHOWS IN TUCSON.

AKS Gem Shows - Howard JohnsonWhat: Jewelry, silver, minerals, gemstones, lapidary, metaphysical objects/art, beads Jan. 31-Feb. 14, 2009 Howard Johnson — I-10 & Starr Pass Blvd.; 1010 S. Freeway Ave.; (520) 622-5871.

American Gem Trade Association (AGTA)What: Primarily high-end loose colored gemstones and pearls, with some finished jewelry; designer jewelry section; colored diamond and estate jewelry pavilions; MJSA jewelry Feb. 4-Feb. 9, 2009 Tucson Convention Center — Main entrance on S. Granada Ave.; 260 S. Church St.; (520) 791-4266.

Gem & Lapidary Dealers Association (GLDA) What: Gemstones, diamonds, Feb. 3-Feb. 8, 2009 Starr Pass Marriott Resort & Spa — Four Miles West of I-10 & Starr Pass Blvd. (22nd St.); 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd.; (520) 792-3500.

Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers
Manufactured jewelry, Jan. 31-Feb. 13, 2009 (Gem Mall & Rodeway); Feb. 5-Feb. 13, 2009 (Holidome) Gem Mall — I-10 at Palo Verde Rd.; 4475 S. Country Club Rd. Holiday Inn/Holidome — I-10 Quality Inn (Grant Rd.) — I-10 at W. Grant Rd.; 1365 W. Grant Rd.; (520) 622-7791.

GJX Gem & Jewelry Show
Gems, gem carvings, designer and fashion jewelry Feb. 4-9, 2009 Gem & Jewelry Exchange — Main entrance on S. Granada Ave.; 198 S. Granada Ave.

To see more listings, please click here

Rose Bowl Flea Market

Welcome to the World's most unusual Flea Market the shopping place of the Stars. Featuring over 2,500 vendors and 20,000 buyers every Month. The Rose Bowl Flea market is one of the most famous markets in the World. Celebrating over 40 years of continued success at the world famous Rose Bowl in Pasadena California. If you come to shop or just browse you will truly enjoy the experience

Boasting more than 2,500 vendors and a customer base that includes a roster of Hollywood stars, the Rose Bowl Flea Market has continued to attract serious collectors, bargain hunters and novice shoppers to one of the world’s greatest outdoor marketplaces for the past 39 years. Guaranteed to have something for everyone, vendors come stocked every second Sunday of the month with vintage items, home furnishings, hand-made crafts and collectable pieces. Thousands flock to the West’s best treasure hunt to peruse the wares and negotiate prices, come rain or shine. Read more about the Rose Bowl Flea Market

Rose Bowl Flea Market and Market Place regular admission starts at 9am for the general public at $8.00 per person, children under 12 are admitted free with an adult. We also have an express admission from 8:00am - 9:00am at $10.00 per person, an early admission from 7:00am - 8:00am at $15.00 per person, and a special preview VIP admission from 5:00am - 7:00am at $20.00 per person. All vendors are not all moved in and set up until 9am. The box office is open until 3pm after which time sellers begin packing and leaving. The public may shop for those last minute bargains until 4:30pm. FREE PARKING. SORRY NO PETS ALLOWED

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I'd like to wish you all a nice, happy, peaceful New Year and I hope that the economy can regain some sanity.

Take a look at our Starving Vendors website where we have loads of show information just a click away. We have sold at over 500 events through the years and I would like to share a lot of information with you about them. I have many reviews of this past years' events and I have pages dedicated to European Festivals, Philippine Festivals, California, Oregon, Arizona and a lot more. Learn about what it's truly like to be a vendor at these events, especially at a time when th economy has hit rock bottom. Thank you very much and have fun at the festivals AND/OR if you are a vendor, I hope you make some good money!

THE GREAT SAN FRANCISCO CRYSTAL FAIR

Held on February 28 and March 1 at Fort Mason Center, 99 Marina Blvd, @ Bushannan Street in San Francisco, CA

Saturday 10am - 6pm, Sunday 10am - 4pm
Admission: $6.00 (children under 12 free accompanied by adult)

If you like minerals, crystals, geodes, semi-precious jewelry, etc., then you might find a trip to this event enjoyable. We were vendors at this event many times but people came there mostly for the 'rocks' and I would tend to believe much of our merchandise wasn't suitable for this type of event. Many of the dealers do quite well there. You can see some really beautiful amethyst cathedrals there. At one time, we were selling them also, but we were not equipped to be lugging them around in our van and they were quite heavy. You have to be very careful when handling them.Here's a link to the website: http://home.earthlink.net/~sfxtl/

You can find out about future events or if you wish to be a vendor there, you can take care of that.It was enjoyable doing the show and the other vendors were very nice. There was a Safeway across the street where we picked up food occasionally. Nothing to eat over at Fort Mason. We did this event before in November and February and it always seemed to rain on at least one of the days. Our biggest problem was the traffic head down Van Ness over to the Bay Bridge. That was a mess. In some areas, you would have to wait for 3 light changes before you could snake your way through the intersection. Probably be quicker to head over to the Golden Gate bridge, go to San Rafael and take the Richmond bridge and 580 over to 880.Off topic: If you ever attend this event, drop over to Mike, who is set up there to give massages and and he does a good job. Whenever we did this event, both my wife and I always stopped by his space for one. Prices are reasonable.

Holtville Carrot Festival

WHAT'S UP, DOC? The 62nd Holtville Carrot Festival Saturday & Sunday, February 7th & 8th, 2009 is what's up.

Vendor application website- Holtville Chamber of Commerce Holtville Business License is required - $12.00 Arts and Crafts $50 one day, $75 for two days; Commercial crafts $75/$100.

The week-long Holtville Carrot Festival is held every year in February. The festival includes a golf tournament, carrot cooking contest, arts & crafts fair, carnival rides and the Carrot Festival Parade. Click here to download schedule of events for the upcoming 2009