Pots and Pans: Fair Guide

I have always been skeptical about the concept of doing and selling pottery at shows and at fairs.

You see, the cons of using pottery to rake in a good base and money outweigh that of the pros of indulging in pottery. I rarely would recommend pottery to an entrepreneur. But of course, one would hear the success stories of pottery entrepreneurs. So here are a few personal experiences that I hope would make it easier for you to decide whether pottery is a good thing for you, or a no-no.

For one thing, pottery skills are needed to bring your talent to levels acceptable for consumers to buy your product. Unless you have natural talent and have been honing your skills, you would have to invest in buying yourself a good book, paying a tutor, or going to a pottery skill to invest in yourself.

Second, pottery materials. You need the equipment, you need the materials, and you certainly need the time and the patience. Pottery requires mixing, molding, tempering and baking. If you cannot routinely follow these, then it is best you drop the idea.

The big difference with pottery at shows is the change of venue. There are a lot of things to be done. For one thing, preparation of the prepared pieces of earthenware would require you to transport the heavy stuff from your shop to the site.

The second one is the inclusion of demos in your booth. This is a BIG thing.

Having demos in your booth actually keeps people interested in your work and in your final product. It doesn’t have to come out finished like that. You can just leave it in the mold, or dramatically bake it in the kiln. Just let people know how pots are done.

Sell at shows that target the upper crust of society. The common people, with the stories of recession and laying-off at jobs, won’t easily buy into your wares. Pots are mainly ornamental, less functional. Unless you’re doing something along the lines of tea cups and tea pots that would put most factories to shame, I suggest you start something ornamental, cheap and functional. Like paper weights for example.

Georgia and California Food Fest

Food festivals in my opinion are in my top to-visit list when it comes to visiting them around the country. Food is bountiful, and the people are cheery. There’s a happy atmosphere that it seems nothing could expunge it. And truly it is, because food is one of the basic needs of man, and a great joy for others. Celebrating it in an event dedicated to life’s simple pleasures is something one should not miss.

And America, blessed with the varying seasons, climates and altitudes, has an expanded scope of gastronomic delight. Along with the wonders of modern technology (halleluiah, importation!); food that you rarely would find in one place can now be as common as spaghetti in Italy. We have fruits, veggies, herbs, wine and drink, and even the strange like baby food!

First off is the esteemed Strawberry Festival in Garden Grove, California, held on May 22nd to May 25th. As the name implies, it’s all about the pink-reddish marvel, the strawberry! Tons of these juicy lovelies will come parading down the streets of Garden Grove, each in their prime and pride. There are a lot of carnivals and parades in the nearby streets for you to indulge in to! Celebrities, each new and those returning will also be making an appearance; so better watch out for them as they will be all over the place.

In the state of Georgia, a fruit is celebrated every 12th of June up till the 20th. The peach, which is well loved by those in Byron and Fort Valley Georgia. If you love peaches, now is the time to buy in bulk and stockpile on it, as peaches will be on the spotlight for the whole week. Fresh peach, peach cobblers, preserves, ice cream, pies and much more! There will be shows and events held each day as well, so if you are lucky to be in the area, indulge and you might win a prize!

Traditional Festivals and Modern Festivals

Did you quite get the difference between the two? No? Well, hot dang. The differences between them seem pretty quite obvious even to the naked eye.

Traditional festivals have a sense of solemnity within them. They celebrate something more on the religious and/or cultural side of things. Most of the newer generation would be put off by the seriousness and the solemnity of the traditional festival. These types of festivals usually are lackluster with the glamor but have a backing of over a thousand years worth of tradition. Never mind attendance. Most traditional festivals are compulsory and oftentimes required for attendance.

The modern festival dictates nothing but camaraderie, bacchanal revelry and capriciousness. Modern festivals were made by the times for the sheer enjoyment of life amidst the troubling times, the turmoil and terror, and sometimes, just the plain boredom of things. A modern festival are usually up to date, involve a lot of dancing, music, singing and revelry, and is just plain abandon for almost all inhibitions. Usually, there is no focus in modern festivals. Just plain having fun (or at least trying to).

There is usually the involvement of the community in both festivals, although in the case of a traditional festival; it is dictated by religion, culture or belief. Sometimes, a festival is but a series of rites and ceremonies held by the spiritual leaders in an area. Sometimes…well, you get the idea.

Most towns go for the modern festival now, which is quite a tourist attraction when the season comes. The big draw in a festival is the climactic highlight where it seems that beer knows no stopper, dancing knows no beat, and partying knows not day or night. But it is this kind of freedom that people come over to stop, play and just have fun.

Festivals have a purpose. It’s up to the people to decide on it.

Going In and Out Festivals

There’s a certain sense and pattern when trying to get into the sense of having to run into at least 3 festivals or more in one day, or even for a period of two days. Festivals are pretty much draining, in all aspects of your life. You feel tired physically, you’re drained emotionally, you feel you’ve given so much of your social life talking to people inside the festival grounds, and well, yeah. That sums it up. You could grow sick of festivals in just one sitting.

Setting your mind up to visiting at least more than two festivals a day requires that you have a different mindset of seeing the trip not as an errand or as a chore, but a social trek. When trying to go into a festival, don’t get cynical. And don’t get temperamental either. Being a party pooper at the start of the trip would have you very sour and very uncooperative while everyone else is having fun.

Some people like to go to festivals alone. These would include your typical rebellious teenager and or your love-forlorn daughter. Be understanding of their needs to want to have their own private space. The sensation of going into a festival alone is equal to almost monumental freedom. Give them the space that they deserve and the time that they will need.

Pack a bit of food yourself, but if you find the whole thing to be pretty daunting and hassling, be a bit of an anti-scrooge and go spend your money where you’re supposed to spend it in a festival. In fun, style, leisure and for your enjoyment. Of course, always exercise the usual prudence of not blowing off your entire pay on the fun and games inside the festival.

Feel free to refer with other friends as well. If you’re the type of guy to enjoy visiting a festival with friends, you can save on expenses if you go together.

A Festival for the Cherry Trees

The city of Macon is aptly named as the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World with good reason. The streets are filled with the numerous blossoms, all from the trees in the sidewalk. The place reminds you of a modern Japanese-American themed city, as the usual-Japanese flowers float amongst modern American buildings and asphalt-lined streets.

The streets are bustling and filled with Yoshino cherry trees, and every Spring, they fill the air and the ground with their pale pink petals. It is a very extravagant display of color, which leaves their audience speechless and breathless for the first time.

History relates that the cherry trees came from the late William A. Fickling, Sr. who was a local realtor in the area. He had discovered a Yoshino tree in Macon, and with confirmation after three years, had found out what the species was. Took him a trip to Washington DC just to find out the tree was actually a Yoshino specie!

His generosity and enthusiasm had urged the residents to participate in his vision of filling the whole city with the pretty cherry trees. Years passed and the vision had started to materialize. A lot of its current residents had moved to Macon just to be near the trees. One of them being Carolyn Clayton, the festival founder herself, who had fallen in love with the trees after she had visited.

She had urged Fickling to go with their project, and the dream became true. Through a big community effort, 500 trees were planted along the streets across Macon. The project was encouraged when they had finally proposed the first Cherry Blossom Festival.

Soon it had become one of the Top 20 events of the South, and its fame spread. From three days, it had reached 10 days of festivities. The trees keep growing too, and like their number, the dreams of Mr. Fickling will live on and grow more and more.

Dealing with Festival Burnouts

Sometimes, when you have too much of a good thing, you tend to grow bored of it. Sure, the festivals always come once a year, and you’d have think that “Oh pooh, since it only comes once per year, might as well attend it.”

Well, what you might be experiencing is a festival burnout. You have that time in your life wherein you might have your mid life crisis just a tad too early. You think that festivals are just a waste of your time, and you’re just going to spend one day wasting on it.

Well, good sir, you are truly missing a big chunk of life if you think about festivals like that. Fests are what keeps the community together, fests, are what makes the community stick to one another. Fests are the reason that communities are able to celebrate something in unity. Festivals are the joint effort of each and everyone to reach out to one another, through a medium often ignored or even scorned at as one matures; fun.

There is nothing wrong in indulging yourself in a little fun. Fun is what keeps people young, fun, is what makes the world still revolve. Without fun, there is nothing much to live for, because fun is what sometimes gives us the reason to live in this world. So by definition, why would you get tired of fun? Its because fun stuff, can turn un-funny. The more that you do the same thing over and over again, the concept of fun loses its value. It becomes repetitive, becomes the same roller coaster ride over and over again.

Fests require variety and a bit of spice, something that can keep it “exciting”. Maybe a new event, or a small detour but make your festival experience a new experience every time. There you might consider the idea of fun to be more than just going around in circles.

Celebration Cook-Off at Lyons

At Lyons, Kansas there is an event for people who love to cook and to eat cooked food. It is also a celebration of good taste and culinary flair. This event is entitled the Celebration Cook-Off. At the Celebration Cook-Off everyone is entitled to whip out their delicious and mouth-watering recipes anytime, for the delight of the crowd. Culinary masters are encouraged to display their culinary prowess for the spectators. Bring your favorite cookbook on this day and share trade secrets to fellow cooks as well!

At the festival there is an exciting chili cook off that is also a competition. A special set of judge is present to judge each chili recipes. The winning chili recipe is awarded by a cash prize and a plaque of recognition and appreciation. Chili cook offs are not new to Lyons, Kansas since the state is home to a small organization that aims to promote public awareness on chili and its benefits. They aim to make chili as the National Vegetable of America.

Cook-offs are great events where you can bond with friends and forget about your weight counters for the day. These are also great venues for cooks and restaurant owners to promote their restaurants. How? Some restaurateurs display their tarpaulins and advertisements at cook-offs and create extra mileage by giving free taste to the participants. In this way, people will have the chance to taste their wonderful menu.

At the Cook-Off in Lyons, families are encouraged to bring their grills and cooking materials at the venue. Dads can have fun grilling and smoking his barbecue at the grill while the kids line up for more. Learn how to smoke like a professional and watch experts as they do step by step instructions on how to do it. Cook-offs are way to celebrate your palate and win new recipes (and friends too!)

If visiting in Kansas, don’t forget to be at the Celebration Cook-off. In here you will get to rub elbows with professionals on the world of culinary and gain new friends and acquaintances!

Ebertfest in Champaign, Illinois

In Illinois there is a film festival entitled Ebertfest which is hailed from its founder, roger Ebert. Roger Ebert is a film aficionado who created this festival in the aim of showing to the public films that he deemed “overlooked” but great. Every year, indie films and some international films are being shown at Ebertfest for the pleasure of the attendees. Ebert personally handpicks the films that are to be shown in his festival.

The film festival is organized by the College of Communications at the University of Illinois. It is previewed at the legendary Virginia Theatre in Champaign every April at the onset of Spring. A lot of aficionados and enthusiasts of the film industry are expected to grace this event. Every year, 12 to 14 films are being shown at the festival. Ebert really makes it a point to offer the public very good and quality “overlooked” films through his prestigious festival. Ebert was able to make up a unique concept for a film festival that is why people around the country flock to Virginia Theatre every April to view its new offerings.

Each year, the festival shows one silent film together with a live orchestral accompaniment. An example of a silent film that the festival has shown is the famous horror flick: “Nosferatu”. Musical films are also shown once in a while at the festival because Ebert feels that it is also overlooked. The Ebertfest really gave the “overlooked” films much exposure and mileage.

Before the start of each film Ebert is usually seen onstage of the theatre giving a brief synopsis about the flick. He summarizes the story and gives the attendees full overview as to why the movie is handpicked and why he deems it to be of best quality. It is safe to say that Roger Ebert is a man with a concrete passion on film, proof of it is his passionate endeavor to make this festival a possible undertaking.

If visiting in Illinois, don’t forget to catch a peek of the Ebertfest and see what “overlooked” films you missed in your life!

A Mother’s Story

Mother’s Day is a day dedicated for all mothers in the world. On this day, we celebrate the special day of the very special woman in our lives, our mothers. This day we regard them for their sacrifices and efforts to give us a better life and a promising future. There really is no love greater than a mother’s love.

I can still vividly recall day I brought precious little, Maiah Alara on this world. That day was the most terrifying and fulfilling day of my life. I woke up at 5am with a slight pain on my hips very much like menstrual cramps that would recede, only to come back about 10 minutes later. The pain woke me a few minutes later and I realized that it must be what they call the “labor” thing. Was I shocked and so afraid as I took a quick bath as my husband, Don along with my parents Roger and Mercedes admitted me to the hospital.

At 12 noon my little angel met the world. I can still remember her cries as I fall on a deep sleep. I woke up at the Recovery area because of the snore of another patient that was lying very near to my bed. Haha. I fell asleep again. I felt the nurses taking me to my room but I’m too tired to lift my eyes-must still be the effect of Demerol. I heard Don’s voice telling me that I delivered to a beautiful, pink and chubby baby girl.

The event was the most painful, tiring and fulfilling day of my life. Maiah is six months old this coming Mother’s Day. Despite the pain I am so happy that she’s here with me- makes me forget about the pain in bringing her to this world.

There are such a lot of venues to celebrate Mother’s Day in the country and example of it is to attend craft fairs. At New Hampshire, a Mother’s Day Craft Fair will be happening on the second Sunday of May.

Strawberry Jam’n Toast to the Arts Festival in Louisiana

Strawberries, why are they special? Studies show that strawberries are good sources of Vitamin C, folate, amino acids, fibers, potassium, and anti-oxidants. The bottom line is: fragaria which is also known as strawberries is amongst the favorite of both kids and adult basically for its delicious taste and juicy appearance. Strawberries are highly nutritious fruits that can be added to salads, side dishes and desserts. Most especially it’s a cereal companion. They are good and healthy snack for any moment of the day.

In Ponchatoula, Louisiana strawberries are given a better flavor, a different twist. “Strawberry Jam’n Toast to the Arts Festival” is an annual event organized and sponsored by the Northshore Regional Endowment for the Arts. The organization was founded on June 2001 by Ted J. Hudspeth Sr. MD.

Ted is a family practiced physician at Oshner Clinic foundation in Hammond Louisiana. He was once a music teacher in the place where he grew up. Since his early years, it has been his advocacy to encourage people, old and young to develop their love of music and raise their talents.

Strawberry Jam’n Festival was established to enhance, encourage and to inspire people to develop their talents in music. The Festival proper furnish a lot of activities such as mini concerts, lessons and other more. Hosted by 40 bands and performers in 6 different stages, the festival is widely an opportunity for local artists to show what they really got. It is the time for them to be seen and heard.

Aside from the fun and festive, concerts are held to raise funds for the organization. Endowment is the name of the organization and like any other organization. It has its written purpose which is to promote music and arts education. Another is to increase awareness of music amongst the region. The organization also sponsors children in the area to music programs for them to pursue their music and arts career. It’s a festival with a strawberry shaped heart indeed.

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