Woohoo...oh wait. Now I am overwhelmed.

I just booked a large gig, and I have several more pending for the month of October. Practically one for each Saturday(two actually on the 23rd-one in the morning and one in the afternoon). I am excited, as they are all festival gigs and will bring in a lot of much needed cash. But I am also a bit overwhelmed. How do I even begin going about planning for them.

For those of you who have a lot of experience with festival work, what is on your festival lists? What do I definitely need to bring(besides the kit and the tent), and how many designs should I offer? Any advice that you have, my ears are open and ready to hear it.

Thanks!

Good luck!
Here's a thread with lots of good stuff!
http://www.facepaintforum.com/general-face-painting-f1/yay-my-first-ppf-fair-event-t3065.htm?highlight=fair

Thanks. I know that there are several threads already like this, but when I searched for them using the search function, I couldn't find any. I guess I should have expanded my keywords.

pjhamel wrote:Thanks. I know that there are several threads already like this, but when I searched for them using the search function, I couldn't find any. I guess I should have expanded my keywords.

Ha ha, I know! I searched, fair, list, festival, planning, plan...I know there at least one other thread that has a couple of great checklists, still searching, I'll post if I find it.

You'll want a sign with a way to hang it or display it prominently outside your tent, a table, a chair for them and a chair for you (even if you only use your chair in between clients).... have tape and scissors and markers (just in case)... other than that, your usual kit stuff (paints, brushes, water and containers for it, baby wipes, sponges, etc.)

I do an outdoor market every week and you get used to it all pretty quickly. Bring yourself some snacks and drinks if it's going to be a long day, you don't want to spend all your hard earned money on expensive fair food.

Take an esky for drinks - unless you have someone there to help you out.
Make signs - break times, product information, line/painting rules, prices etc
Bring a jacket even if it's warm - I can't say how many times I have been hot all day painting and them when I'm packing up the sun starts to go down and I'm freezing my butt off trying to get all my gear together.
Something to organize money.
Tape and scissors - very important.
I bring music - I have recently discovered I paint a lot better with music on - even better if I'm singing along!
I take a bubble machine to attract people.
Lots of marketing material.
Think that's about it..... oh yeah and a big smile.

You'll be fine chicky - once you have a couple under your belt they get easier and easier.

YEAH!!!!
Bring health snacks & water. Toilet Paper if you're going to a venue w/ outhouses
Bungee cords & weights!!! I link 2-3 bungee cords to the top of the tent at each corner & weigh it down w/ weight lifting weights(25 lbs per corner). I'm the only tent not trying to take flight on windy days.
Lots of $1's for making change.
If you can, a line manager.
A sign w/ removal instructions for the face paint & for glitter tattoos(if you do them)
A sing w/ info on how long it takes to paint each child & to gauge the line accordingly.
A line starts here sign so you're not crowded.
Stickers for the kids: I was painted by....." Then when people ask they can look at the sticker. I print my own on address labels.

Do a few freebies on the kids in the booths next to you. They'll be walking models to advertise for you.