First Fair! First Tent, first chairs, first everything!

Who knew you needed so much STUFF! I've appreciated reading past posts and learning from your experiences. I ended up buying and EZup from Hutshop.com and I couldn't believe that it made it here in the promised 3 days...amazing. http://www.hutshop.com/ezupcanopies.html No extra shipping, no sales tax (for UT). We set it up and liked the quality. It had weight plates, awning, 4 walls...two with zippers, stakes (nails really), and as a bonus it had a clear vinyl sign holder with elastic to hold it on. The only thing it doesn't have is vents but I was happy with the quality.

I'm planning on using the velcro on the canopy to hang my Vistaprint banners. I'll just put the other half of the hook and loop on the back of the sign and attach the awning/wall to that.

I got two lightweight foldup chairs from IKEA and the folding bar stool. I got a cool mirror with curlique decoration that hangs perfectly on the canopy frame.

Got my TAG paints from Marvelous Metina who beat everyone with her quick shipping. I LOVE TAG paints. I'll do a review/show&tell after this weekend.

Anyway...thanks again for the help and the wonderful ideas you've all given me. Hopefully I'll have some pictures and a play-by-play on Sunday.

D.

That's the one I have 3 of. Love them.

Have fun and enjoy your new home away from home!

dont forget a lil cooler with drinks and snacks!!! looks like you have everything else...good luck

Snacks is a good idea...fair food is expensive!

Lynnie...I'm glad you like them. It seems like a good value compared to what I could buy in the store. Have you had "pickup" problems with wind?

D.

on another thread someone had a great idea...you can tie off to the cork screw lookin things you put in the ground that you tie a dog to

How exciting! Can't wait to hear about your big day!

Nice tent! Were you able to put it up by yourself?

Best of luck at your gig - here's wishing you wonderful weather and a great turn-out

the heat last weekend was so HOT here, I think I got heat stroke on Saturday.... we decided next year for Strawberry fest, I'm bringing an inflatable kiddie pool to fill with ice water to soak our feet in LOL

mmmm good idea Perry!

That was some crazy heat we've had lately, I'm SO glad it's broken for now - last night was the first good night's sleep I've had for a while because I was finally able to rest without the sweat

I carry a small, battery operated fan for those moments Perry, and we take a cooler with our food/drinks. I keep a spray bottle of water in there. Every now and then my hub will squirt the back of my neck with it, or I wet a paper towel with it. Feels SO good!

Colden, they do lift because they are not vented but you just have to weigh/stake them down properly. There is actually another thread about tent weights if you want to check out different options. We also drop our tent to half way at night before we leave. The lower it is, the less likely it is to fly away but weight is the most important thing.

Tra, many events around here won't allow the corkscrew because they tear up the lawns rather than just putting a hole in the ground...and the ones that are thin enough to pass inspection are not strong enough to anchor. The tents come with stakes that tend to work fine, especially if used in conjunction with weights.

Ahhh... if only we could air condition our tents....
I'll be outside from 10am-2pm painting like crazy w/ my one daughter while my other daughter twists. That kiddie pool is sounding real good about now

Is it just me ?
I have never done an event where I got to set up on grass.
I use 20 litre water containers to weight the tent legs.... and supply water funnily enough! They are good becuase if they have access to water on site you can fill them there and not have to lug them from home.
Your tent looks the same as mine...... now mine is over a year old can some one tell me how do I clean it? it's looking a little dirty atm.

take it off put into a mesh bag and run in the washer on gentle but dont put in the dryer spread out in the sun to dry

wow, the cost for what you get is amazing! $250!
I was told you could get a good canopy at SAMS Club for $180....I am not a member....the hut spot seems a good deal.

I read the specs and it is great. I bet the next version will be vented too.
I have this on my favorites for my wish list.
I have a gig this weekend and am borrowing a tent from a local funeral home!
If I do fantastic at the festival I will get a tent!

I was very happy with the tent but we were also very lucky weather wise. We only had a quick pass by sprinkle but hubby had to tell me it was raining, I didn't even notice...OH! I forgot the best part. The white tent acts as a huge reflector and the photography and colors were amazing inside. No shadows.

The tent tore down pretty well at the site except for the walls...but we figured out a trick the next morning. The walls have zippers on them and if you take an extra second to zipper each panel to itself it folds beautifully, hides the velcro straps, and fits nicely in the side pocket.

After going to 4 stores and looking online it seemed to be the best bargain. I liked the metal feet, the weight plates were a clever design and I was surprised by the banner...I thought if you didn't get the name printed on that was it. So now I can find a local printer and get a "FACE PAINTER" strip banner printed cheaply and have a cool sign.

OH, OH....I figured out another cool trick too!!! Vistaprint forgot to pack my corner adhesive loops for my signs and I thought I could buy velcro strips to hold the signs to the tent but they were very expensive and we weren't sure they would work (I thought the signs would block the view of the painting going on.) The duct tape I had wouldn't hold up the vinyl signs so a stuck a piece of duct tape on the backs of the corners of the signs and cut mini slits in the banner like button holes and put the toggle beads at the top of the left and right walls through the holes like buttons. This held up those small 2x3 foot banners beautifully! Necessity is the mother of invention! Too cool. I'll take a picture when it is set up again.

Can you tell I was happy?

D.

awesome that everything worked out for you!!! got your first gig under your belt and a whole set up to boot... glad your happy with the results!

I had a simple laminated banner made up at my local Staples, (business store) for about $15. I believe last year. I believe you have the same tent, (ezup) as I do from the photos.
Yes, do use some sort of weights, mine has tried to fly off in a gust of wind. I've actually had parents holding it down till I could finish their child.
I'm making mine out of pvc and attaching them to the legs.
Good luck.
I also was told to set my tent up in the back yard and wash it by hand, let air dry then spray it with a water sealant and let dry again. I need to do mine shortly. But it has held up great for 4 yrs. or more so far. Great investment for less then $200.

AussieMarie, I've had the same tent as Colden (including all of the fun stuff) for 5 years and they still aren't selling a vented version. I'm pretty sure they aren't going to, which is pretty sad really as it would be awesome! If you have a BJ's club membership they are available there for $199. It's where I've gotten all 3 that I own. Good luck with your fest!

Colden, I am so glad you had a great event and the tent worked out for you! Yay!

My 5 year one I've just washed with a gentle bath loofah, soap and a garden hose in half position. I'm sure the neighbors have laughed at me for it. I do have a Dome EZ-Up for picnics and I'm going to try putting that one in the wash since it accidentally got left out all winter. Thanks Tra!

Linda, tent sized air conditioners would make certain we had the most popular tents on hot days! lol

you may need to put grommets in the holes that you cut so they won't rip its very easy...you can find the grommets and the grommet tool..its not an expensive thing and you will be able to put your banner on your tent any where

I am also glad you had a great event

Great update, congrats mama! Such helpful info in this thread!

Hi Denise: What size tent was that? Is it still holding up well? I'm seeing a 10x10 for $269 at the site you got yours from but that's way over my pitiful budget. Thanks a million.

Hi Denise,
My thoughts would be instead of a kiddie pool for those tired achy feet, hows bout a foot soak bath that messages your feet. Just use cold instead of hot water. Takes up less space. Lol. Your tent looks awesome. Can't wait to see some of your awesome work.

Okay, it's been a year later and I've been accepted back into this same fair again and I'm going on Friday and Saturday.

I know that this tent seems like a lot of money but it came with the sidewalls, which are outrageous to buy separately and weight plates (which I will have to use at my NEXT fair) a small canopy for the front (which gives a nice finished look) and spikes and a clear sleeve that stretches across the front. We had FACE PAINTING printed in red and put in there...my only gripe is I'm going to have to replace that elastic so it stretches all the way across.

We've probably put the thing up and down about 24 times total and it's still nice. It hadn't been damaged until a rug-rat finally stepped on a velcro tab and ripped it. I was worried in big winds about those same velcro tabs. They hold the side walls to the front legs when you aren't using the 4th wall. I also like that the front and back panels have a split in them so you can create a back door if appropriate or if you do have to put up the front panel to get away from rain.

It's a fabulous deal. Just make sure you follow the instructions. It's got some major trusses and they can be a hand trap if you don't use the "close here" labels. [Once...just once.]

I'll take a picture of our setup this weekend.