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mjbears Jul 10, 2008

Hi
i am going to venture into organizing a large bear fair next year with a regular twice a year event i have already made enquiries about this and started the ball rolling for this to happen i need to know before i make this concrete if i have any interest from artist wishing to attend i am hoping all being well to hold this at wickstead park which is a massive location  not only do they have many venues there for this sort of thing they also have resturants, large grounds and gardens and rides and amusments for children or adults great pubs and hotels near by this will be in northamptonshire near kettering the venues are light air conditioned and offer suberb eating facilities with many cafes and resturants and also loads of car parking spaces i think it would be ideal for a bear show as they regulary host antique fairs  , so if you agree please let me know before i proceed any further i would also offer 6ft tables and 12 ft tables the venues are huge so loads of space i wont know for sure the exact space until i have viewed and spoken in more depth another possibility is althorpe house where princess diana is laid to rest, so any ideas please let me know if you would be on board regards melissa x

mjbears Jul 10, 2008

thanks melanie mj......... i really want to get something organized as no fairs  this way and i really think it could be great i will have to look into this a lot more before i defo give go ahead but i am pretty certain it will take place i want it to be big thats why the venue needs to be big and wickstead park fits the bill at the moment i will let you know how it goes i am still making enquiires in stately homes as well so need to get looking and booking just hope some artists will attend if i get as far as making a booking for venue thanks mj i will look out for tips x

FenBeary Folk Jul 11, 2008

Melissa, I think its a great idea, timing would be an issue, as you would not want to clash with others     

mjbears Jul 11, 2008

thanks sue i would make sure that it wouldnt clash with any other show off out today for some viewings cant wait to see whats available i will let you know melissa x

jenny Jul 11, 2008

I think it's important to make sure that you get plenty of support from interested artists whose work will entice the visitors in. I did a fair once in Stoke on Trent...Jacqueline will remember it well LOL... and it was so quiet due to low uptake of tables and consequently they had poor publicity ..and it was down hill all the way. I only sold one bear that day...to a friend who lived in the area and he only bought it because he felt sorry for me. So I do think the venue and date are important but equally you need to get the right artists interested..and then one thing leads to another.
I think why Samantha succeeded was that she was able to get really great artists excited about the event..and it was an EVENT and not just a fair.
I think I would think through how you will run it and who you want to attend ..then  make it sound exciting!

FenBeary Folk Jul 11, 2008

Jenny is really right on that one, collectors are not going to travel miles for a "Hilda Ogden" but if "Posh 'n' Becks" were there :dance:

mjbears Jul 11, 2008

jenny thankyou so much for your kind input. i wanted to get advice from artists re this event.... i wanted to try and hold it some where  there is plenty of room and space to roam eat and browse and other things to do bar the fair itelf any other tips would be gladly appreciated i will however be looking into places today and the course of the next couple of months before commiting to a venue i thought of wickstead park as a location due to its advertising, eating facilities, and parking. and ease to get to as well with plenty of places to stay what i am thinking of doing is looking at costs for venues i know this will be the most costly part for me to start due to not just being held in a community centre as a lot of them near me dont have the parking facilities which hits a problem straight away also the catering at least with wickstead you have choices of eating places in the park itself the venues are bright and air conditioned and very spacious i have emailed samantha for input as well i will post some more places and pics when i get them to see what artists think as i feels its important that artist have a say in the place as well as me thanks jenny melissa xx

Christine Jul 11, 2008

Hi Melissa,
I applaud your courage!!  This would be a huge undertaking, whatever the size of show - but my gut instinct would be to start small and then grow it gradually.  Samantha's show was approximately 60 stands - all of which were taken by excellent artists.  I am worried that you would not be able to get enough quality artists together for a bigger show than that, especially outside London.  I really do think that quality over quantity has to be the name of the game if you really want to tempt collectors to a new venue and away from their computers.

Jennie is right to say that a new show will have to be an event in itself, not just another bear fair.  Please don't think I am pouring cold water on your idea - I LOVE the idea of another show, and Northants would be very convenient for me to get to!    I hope you get the information you need to make this a success.

One other thing - I don't know if you have considered dates, but it occurs to me that there is really nothing decent in the Oct/Nov/Dec period, and nothing in March/April/May....
Good luck!
Chris

Karon Jul 12, 2008

Hi Melissa,

I am writing from a hobbyist point of view.

I think a large bear fair is a great idea - I for one would certainly be prepared to travel for my teddy bear "fix".

With the loss of most of the London I would love to see another large fair, even if one had to make it an over weekend job.

Have you thought about making it more of "convention" with workshops and lectures, combined with bear sales and supplies.  I think they are often run that way in the States.

Just a thought

Bear Hugs

Karon

mjbears Jul 14, 2008

Hi karon
thanks for your input yes i am thinking of making into an event rather than just a show already have a workshop sorted and someone whom is really good at bear noses that may offer a day of helping others do that ever so tricky nose ..would be a case of bring your bear along and get the nose done perfectly i thought would be a great idea. there would also be a raffle with the proceeeds going to mcmillan cancer charity close to my heart they care for and help so many people.... also a best bear event as well i will be speaking with cristine at bears at the bottom of the garden to advertise and promote this as well just to let you all know i am in talks with managers at wickstead today they have 147 acres of grounds so perfect place just need to organize it into fine detail and get the bookings i will be looking at march or april 2009 and again in oct nov 2009 i am hoping for about 50/70 tables if i can get artists on board for a great day it will be fabulous i will update all very soon when i have agreed something with some artists and the event managers thansk again for all the support and kind welcoming input  melissa xx what do people think of the idea of teddy awards in the uk with proceeds again going to charity and winners will be announced at the fair.......... let me know  there would be a range of catering facilities, from basic to sit down bistro plenty of tea and coffee,  plenty of parking and huge grounds and other activities in the park itself i will also be speaking with them re electricity points to stands and availability of taking visa card payment for artists wishing to do so on the day as i have heard that some shows this cant be done very well due to low signals so i will look into this today thanks again melissa x

mjbears Jul 14, 2008

new info for you
i can provisionally book the park in march in the pavillion in wickstead park which is there large ballroom they can accomadate 50 tables some 6ft some 12ft holding 500 visitors all exhibitors can park for free and is a well run and organized car park with good access to unload and load.  the park itself will be closed but host events all year round from car shows to baby sale shows to antique everything..visitos would have to pay around 2.00 to park there car in the main car park near the pavillion which i thought was reasonable as can park all day for this fee. they will open up a bar area serving snacks and drinks and then open up the bistro next door for more of a sit down meal .  they can supply electriciy to stalls needing it and have good signal for card payment machines for those whom need it . i will be getting intouch with some artists today and hope this can be arranged asap for march next year on a sunday. they have said they will have a huge banner on fence outside park advertising this event also on there main website and if i drop of leaflets to park asap they can promote  from now until date which i think is great i would also ensure there is advertising in magazines. local papers here and radio and possibily anglian news and make some feature of this event thanks melissa xx oh and wicky bear will be there as well,,HE IS WICKSTEADS BEAR