Yay, my first PPF fair event!

My boyfriend works for the carnival so I decided it'd be a neat idea if I go down south with him for a little bit around the end of september/early october and face paint at the county fair he's working at. I'm from Michigan so It'll be nice to work by the beach in Edenton, North Carolina. It's $200 for the whole week, which I think is fair.

Ok so heres the thing, all I have is an itty bitty table and a couple fold-up chairs, so what do I need? I figure I need a bigger table, ez-up (do they typically provide those?), a break sign, end of line sign, and one of those plastic things that hold all your pictures (what are those things called?) I'd really appreciate links or suggestions, because I have no idea what I'm doing...lol

A tent....a must!! What if it rains.
somewhere safe for all your cash
lots of change
bug spray
sunscreen
baby wipes
lots of water
a comfy pair of shoes

Thanks, so an e-z up won't cut it? I was thinking something like this... http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00622710000P?vName=Gifts&sName=Backyard+King&ci_sku=00622710000P&cName=Father%27sDay&aff=Y&ci_src=64119933&sid=IAx20090815x000001&storeId=10153&catalogId=12605&expCheckout=&orderEmail=&langId=

or do you mean something with 3 walls?

An EZ Up is perfect! I have some with no walls and it's grand - I think the walls are preference - unless it rains a lot or something, in which case they'd be handy, IMO.

I bring a tablecloth, but that's a preference as well - looks neater and hides what I stash underneath.

(I use an apron for my cash.)

Garbage bag, ibuprofen (lol), camera, photo releases...

I don't know if I'd worry about an end of line sign for PPF - break sign, sure! Everyone needs a bathroom break. But on the rare occasion I do PPF, unless I have to boot off somewhere else, I will stay as long as there are people who want to pay me!

Ok thanks Kristal! I love that tiny wall on the ez-up I imagine some sort of sign there. I'm kind of short so I hope I can manage to put it up myself, those things look huge. Tablecloth is also a good idea; I always end up getting paint all over my table, and the stains don't come out, so the table I have is in definite need of replacing.

So exciting; I love decorating. :]

Firebird FX wrote:Thanks, so an e-z up won't cut it? I was thinking something like this... http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00622710000P?vName=Gifts&sName=Backyard+King&ci_sku=00622710000P&cName=Father%27sDay&aff=Y&ci_src=64119933&sid=IAx20090815x000001&storeId=10153&catalogId=12605&expCheckout=&orderEmail=&langId=

or do you mean something with 3 walls?

That looks like an excellent ez-up tent. It says that the base is 10 x 10, so that means that the top is going to be just a bit less because the legs flare out. The side to shade the sun is wonderful, and really perfect to keep the afternoon sun off of you. And the price is great. It only weighs 35 lbs, so it would be easy to transport too.

I think you would do well with this ez-up, and if you decide to get a better one later, you would know what you want, and this one is really inexpensive. I say get it.

Jenny

I don't know if you have access to a Sam's Club.... but I got my EZ-Up there for $200. It is white which makes for better lighting and comes with all 4 walls that rool up if not needed and can be unrolled when weather turns etc. I like the white because I can run christmas lights or up lights and I still get a nice white light. My last EZ-Up was tan and the lighting wasn't as good because it had a tan hue to the light.
I also suggest getting a 6-8ft table that folds in half for easy transport. Twin size flat sheets work awesome as table clothes... and I use Black because it hides so much and I think it looks much more professional.
I have also purchased those foam blocks that snap together to stand on. Weither you are standing or not, a week on hard floor kills the feet/legs. Good shoes is a must.
I use a Black apron with different pockets.... one for $1's, one for$5's and one for $10's/$20's. I also put out a tip jar with a few dollar bills in it to keep the idea going. Make sure that every few hours you pull a bit out and throw it in your back pocket etc. If people see a full money jar they will think that you have gotten plenty and therefore they don't need to tip you. So keep an eye on it!!
Good luck and have fun!!

Hi Firebird,

I have an EZ up that I use and it's handy, but there are 2 county fairs near me that do not allow EZ up tents and require that you have either a commercial grade tent or rent one from the tent vendor that the fair contracts.

So I would def buy an EZ up because they're great, but make sure that there aren't any tent specifications for the fair that you're attending.

Also regarding county fairs, make sure about insurance requirements, many require you to be insured or buy it from them. The insurance that a county fair may sell to you (good only for that event) may be more expensive than getting your own policy for the entire year.

Good Luck and let us know!

Here is my most basic set up. I really like my tent, it has air vents in it, so a huge gust of wind wont make it fly away The bubble machine is GREAT for attracting kids attention hehe!

I have an ez up w/ walls & love it.
I set up my fatmax & my directors chair & work out of it.
I also use an apron & do the tip jar thing. I also have a zippered $ bag that I regularly transfer $ into & keep it tucked away in the bottom of the fatmax.
I bring a small table w/ a black table cloth to set up my cards & any other advertisements. It's also a great place to set up a mirror so you don't have the kids wanting to see themselves again crowding you.
Business cards, any advertisements you have, pens, duct tape, sharpies, a notebook for taking down peoples contact info.
Paper you can write: Be back at: Time
I have signs that have the basic info on paint removal, how long the estimated wait is, etc. I'll PM them to you.
A display board(maybe offer 10 girl & 10 boy designs... not too many options)
Chairs for if you need to sit & relax
A line manager is a must!
4 25lb weights & bungee cords. If you're near the ocean this is a must! I set a weight at each corner of the tent & attach a length of 2-3 bungee cords to each. I was at an event by the ocean & a storm came in. Three tents on one side of me & 1 on the other all took flight, but mine stayed.
Bring a cooler, lots of drinking water & healthy snacks. Ibuprofen!
Bring toilet paper & anti-bacterial wipes for hands for when you have to use a port-a-potty(trust me! You will be happy you did!).

I strongly agree with "hunting4helen"!!! Let me tell you what happened to me.

I purchased my EZ up canopy @ Sam's club for $200. At the first event we used it this spring... another vendor across from us had just purchased their new EZ up at Sears... like the one you are considering for $59.00. The weather took a turn for the nasty... and very quickly... as only it can here in Iowa. Our more expensive EZ up withstood 50 & 60 mph winds and a torrential down pour. All our things stayed dry and the canopy held up. The unfortunate vendors with the brand new $59 canopy got drenched (no sides) and the whole thing collapsed and the frame work broke. The canopy was now just an expensive pile of junk. PLEASE spend the extra and get the better quality canopy with the sides. The old axiom of "you get what you pay for" seriously applies to the purchase of your canopy!!! I am very thrilled with my EZ up!!!

OH... one other thing... for our table cloth... we use oil cloth table clothes. They are festive looking, the back is flannel and the top side is water proof, stain proof... and just about everything proof. And at the end of the day I just throw it into the wash and it is good as new for the next use. I have a couple of them actually. One has a really fun flower print and the other a fun and colorful strip. These come in all sorts of colors and patterns. Just a thought.

Oh wow, I learned alot. THANK YOU SO MUCH! Alot to take in, but I'm sure I can sort it all out within a month. :}

The bubble machine is a great idea, btw. I think I will go for the cheap ez up just because I have alot of expenses to pay next month, but then again my birthday is coming up and maybe somone will be feeling generous. ;]

Firebird, check your local Target if you are thinking of the less expensive ez up. I got mine (not the ez up brand, but it goes up the same way and has sides) for $25 at their end of season clearance a couple years ago. It has been terrific. Def worth a try if you're a little short on cash.

YAY you!!!

It is a lot, but you can get it. Don't overlook the weights for the tent! Those things can take off in an instant!

Also, depending on where you put up your display for your pics, you might want to have something like a cheet sheet/book. Something to flip to, to be sure the one they want and a reference for you. As a new painter, I find that very handy!

Something else I would suggest is to plug in setups and frases of the like and see what others have done and what kind of stuff they have laying around. May spark some ideas for you.

The best of luck! My new fun phrase, "Fast faces and fast money!!" To you!!

$25 with sides??? That's a bargain, hope I get lucky enough to find a deal like that.

Oh and I think I'm going to hold off on the weights until I drive out there because its already a 13 HOUR drive, I need to get the most gas mileage I can. ;] I'm not sure what you mean by plug in setups and frases. Could you explain?

Thanks!

I think she means search the forum for "setups" and other similar phrases because you might find more threads with tips.

This has been a very informative thread! I now know when I want to finally buy my own easy up that I want it sturdy, with weights for the bottom, and roll up sides, and it has to be WHITE! Having white-toned light instead of yellow or pink from my bosses' easy ups would be great.

The white easy-up makes a huge difference!! Throw up some christmas lights and a few uplights that clip onto the frame and you have an awesome night setup too!!!

hunting4helen wrote:I have also purchased those foam blocks that snap together to stand on. Weither you are standing or not, a week on hard floor kills the feet/legs. Good shoes is a must.
I use a Black apron with different pockets.... one for $1's, one for$5's and one for $10's/$20's. I also put out a tip jar with a few dollar bills in it to keep the idea going. Make sure that every few hours you pull a bit out and throw it in your back pocket etc. If people see a full money jar they will think that you have gotten plenty and therefore they don't need to tip you. So keep an eye on it!!
Good luck and have fun!!

Great suggestions! Especially the one about placing a few bills in the tip jar to get the idea going. Thanks - will definitely be adding that to my set up!

I had my first in September. It was 4 days long, I had 3 helping me and was also doing temp tattoos. Altogether gross revenue was just short of $3,500 (before paying for my help and considering snacks and meals purchased).

Recently I helped another painter at her event on a contract and she had no side walls on her EZ up. It was windy and started to rain so i would definitely recommend the side walls.

Let us know how you did!

I had my first ppf event last month and definitely agree about an ez up with side walls! It was starting to rain and I was still painting $10 monster faces on a line of kids! I even explained to them and their parents that as soon as they walked out of the tent, the paint would get wet and smear and they answered "yeah, but you know this is really what she wants...."!! Because I had the walls up, all of our stuff stayed dry and we were able to hang out a bit until it let up Plus it also helped with line control/kid crowding as both me and my dad (who twists balloons and does glitter tattoos) were extremely busy and unable to worry about that. Happy painting!

CreateFaces wrote:Hi Firebird,

I have an EZ up that I use and it's handy, but there are 2 county fairs near me that do not allow EZ up tents and require that you have either a commercial grade tent or rent one from the tent vendor that the fair contracts.

Wow, I've been doing events around here for years and years and have never seen that kind of requirement! Maybe because of weather? I have heard over and over that the Caravan (available at Costco) is the best quality ez-up type tent. I personally have one from Kmart and it has held up well and been pretty easy to set up. If I were you, I'd start with the canopy and add the side walls later. No need to spend way more money on your first event than you might make.

Here's the one I got on sale at Kmart for about $70:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_089W017238070001P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2
They also have weights and side walls you can add on later:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00698359000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM243546260P?prdNo=7&blockNo=7&blockType=G7

I would also suggest good signage - like a banner that says "FACE PAINTING" to catch their eyes.

A wonderful bunch of information!!!!