The Perils of Outdoor Shows
No matter how prepared we try to be for the elements, a momentary change in conditions can wreak havoc. Last Sunday we were set up in our usual place at the antique show in Peterborough, NH, with tent, tables, etc. It was quite breezy, so we attached our concrete blocks of about 40 lbs each to the corners (as usual) and for good measure, tied the tent to the van. All was well for a few hours – the vendors with lightweight items were continually chasing them, but our tools stayed put. Then, a very strong gust of wind came roaring through, picked up the tent with all its weight blocks, and carried it over to the next vendor’s space. I couldn’t have held onto it if I tried. It if hadn’t been tied to the van, I think it would have sailed across the parking lot to a stand of trees a hundred yard away. Somehow, no one was hit in the head by the concrete blocks, only two metal ribs on the tent were broken, and we were able to fold up the tent to take it home for repairs. At first I thought perhaps we should have fastened it to both ends of the van, but the wind was so strong for that instant, I think it would have ripped the cover off the frame, and the whole tent would have been destroyed.
This is why I don’t deal in glass! Luckily none of my more delicate machinist tools were damaged and the display case of small items stayed put on the table. The previous Sunday, we were complaining about the heat, this week we had high winds and temperatures in the 50s – so it’s time to have a nice day to be outside selling. This coming Sunday calls for sunny and 70. Then it will fee like spring! Come by to see us.