Friday, September 30, 2011

24 hours to go....

Took today off to finalize the details - equipment deliveries are coming in, the inner campus booths will be marked off, volunteers will be cleaning the parking lot, administrative supplies will be set aside, and tonight I get to bed early.  The parking lot/check-in logistics have been refined, volunteers slotted, food vendors registered for inspection.  Now if I can just remember to eat.....

Super excited about this year, but it's a bittersweet feeling.  I've accomplished everything I wanted to do with this fair when I took it over in 2007.  It's time for the next parent to step up and continue the legacy of this great event.  Be kind, All, and take care of the next round of committee members.  Remember we're just ordinary parent volunteers, trying to do something extraordinary for our kids.

Peace, love and creativity!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Two weeks.....!!!

Ok, I'll keep it short.  At this moment, Friday, Sept. 16th, 9:30pm, only three spaces remain.  The new wooden sign goes up this weekend.  The food vendors are booked in.  We'll have student sponsored booths.  Just the volunteers remain to be rounded up and task logistics revisited.  A deposit of checks tomorrow, then we hold our breath that everything goes off without a hitch.  Weather looks like it may hold to a balmy 90°.

I'm going to miss running this gig. 

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Stress Headache

Wow.  Only Day 3 of this school year and I'm spinning.  So much to do - emails, announcements, parent meetings, paperwork, pre-season tourney, . . .  What housekeeping?!

Only 18 spaces left, a waiting list for jewelry vendors, a deposit this Friday, and the cut-off for applications is Sept. 13!  By the way, don't let anyone tell you the inner campus isn't as good as the parking lot for a booth because we're ramping up efforts to share the wealth, literally.  Still working out the details, but we're developing a "treasure hunt" of sorts.  Find the five hidden stampers and get five free raffle tickets.  (Hint: three will be within the inner campus.)

And the food...!!  We now have JR's Texas BBQ (not that "West" guy), J Dogs, Kett's Kettlekorn, Lumpia Shack, Randy Peters Catering, and hopefully Florez Bar & Grill.  The last two will be serving breakfast options - YAY!  Well, when you're there at 4:30am you get a little hungry by 8.  ; )

Please remember to tell as many friends and family members as you can about this event.  Can't wait to see you all!
: )

Monday, August 8, 2011

54 days to go...

Seven weeks to go and so much left to do!  Where do the summer's go? 

With only 25 booth spaces left, and all the advertising Mrs. M. has been doing, this is promising to be a phenomenal year.  I have no idea where all these people are going to park, but I'm sure we'll get through it.  : )

School starts on Aug. 22nd, and I'm looking forward to seeing all the kids bustling about again.  They help make this event so much more enjoyable with their energy and generous spirit.

The next PTSA meeting is the 23rd and we'll have all our service contracts signed and paid for that night.  A new large wooden street sign is in the works (keep an eye out in September if you drive by).  I might, finally finish the Information Booth banner!  Just some minor details to touch up.  Sub-committees are in the works for the parking lot and raffle responsibilities, so I'll just need a volunteer coordinator when school starts.  All in all, coming together nicely.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Summer's Cruisin' and 75 to go!!!

We're at 80% capacity and growing!  Thank you to everyone who has applied so far and to those whose applications keep trickling in. 

A couple of reminders: July 22nd and August 26th are the next two deposit dates to lock in a booth quickly.  The last two application deadlines are August 13th for food vendors and September 16th for crafters - no grace periods given.

At this moment Section A is now full; B, C, D and G each have one to three spaces left; and, E and F are open for some lovin'.

Again, the jewelry cap has been met.  To be put on the waiting list, please still submit an application so that you are ready to take a cancellation the moment one should arise.

Enjoy this incredible weather we're having and we'll see you very soon!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

First Round of Jurying is Complete!

WHEW!  Confirmations for the first round of crafters have been sent out!  Food Vendors - Hang in there, I'll take care of you this week, but so glad to have the regular crews back!  yum, I mean, Yay!

JEWELRY - We have reached the 15% booth limit, so any new vendors will be put on a jewelry waiting list and can only take spaces where another jewelry vendor had cancelled.  This includes spaces that are half jewelry and half craft.  Anything less isn't counted.

Local, Randy Peters Catering, will be providing a full breakfast menu in the cafeteria, then transitioning later to a lunch menu.  FYI - we make a concerted effort not to allow direct competition of foods, so food vendors get to sell their specialties.  So far, we'll have sandwiches, salads, desserts, lumpia, rice bowls, hot dogs, and kettlecorn.  We're working on a bbq pit, Mexican caterer and an additional coffee/espresso stand, and that's not to mention all the student groups we won't know about until September!  So cross your fingers for some homemade treats from them!

Three more months, three more months, three more months, .....

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

First Deposit Date now July 1st!

In past years it always just happened that the first deposit of booth fees was made after July 1st.  And, as I just happened to have a conversation with our Treasurer after the last PTA meeting, I found out that's the way it should be!  Therefore, the date on your documents is currently wrong and we will Not deposit the first checks on June 24th, but on Friday, July 1st, instead. 

It's simply about dividing last year's fiscal data from the upcoming year, and it only makes sense that these new funds are represented accurately as the money that will come and go within the same school year.  duh

This Sunday we will be sorting the 100+ applications received so far, reviewing the contents for completeness, and possibly making a few calls.  I'll start evaluating seniority, booth requests, product photos, etc., and then assign vendors to their spaces.  The idea is to get a head start so, when my volunteer administrative assistants are here on the subsequent weeknights, we can zip through the paperwork processing in an easy assembly line manner.  Of course, while we're visiting and nibbling, and oohing and ahhing at the pictures.... 

Next to the actual day of our fair, this is my favorite part of the process - working with great people and immersing myself in art.

Friday, April 29, 2011

APRIL 30 - BUNCO!!!!

HELP SPREAD THE WORD - WE REALLY NEED PLAYERS!! The 2011 Bella Vista PTSA “Safe and Sober Grad Night” Committee announces a BUNCO/RAFFLE FUNDRAISER - Saturday, April 30, 6 - 9:30pm at Divine Savior Church, Orangevale. Tickets are $15, free appetizers/desserts.  Soda, water & hot tea - $1; buy raffle tickets for beautiful baskets. Pay at the door, or contact me directly to reserve a space - bvcraftfair@gmail.com.  THANK YOU!!!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Applications are now available!

Shouldn't we all learn something new everyday???  I just did and now you can download the pdf applications and map of the campus, showing all the booth spaces.  The document links are at the bottom of this page.  I added 162 to 171 on the east rim of the quad grass to be shared with the students on the south edge.  Also pay careful attention to the A-1 versus A-2 rows in the front of the school.  They and the B section will all set up on a staggered schedule with A-1 starting at 5:30am, then 6 and 6:30am.

Yes, I still have to set up the outgoing message on the voice mail (so ashamed to be behind already), but know I will check voice mails frequently.  Our current inexpensive phone plan doesn't allow for many minutes, so I'm big on email and quick conversations.  Nothing personal, I swear!  : )

The school so genuinely appreciates all our vendors for their participation and what it means to the students.  The committee promises to do everything it can to make this a positive experience for everyone.

Thank you!!!
Toni

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Vendor Application for 2011

Please be patient!  I'm hoping to have the documents up by Monday night at the latest, but this is all new to me and I'm just happy we've gotten this far.  Thanks to Tammy, I just fixed my typo that said the applications would be up "Friday" - it now correctly reads "Monday".

Again, the new email is bvcraftfair@gmail.com, so please use that to provide feedback on the new web page - mistakes, clarifications, more questions, recommendations, etc.

Thank you!
Toni

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Welcome to our new web page!

We're early in the planning stages for 2011 and it's already shaping up to be a great year!  This new web space is a huge accomplishment and will be an on-going project as we work through the spring and summer.  Everything you need to know will be communicated through this site, so keep checking back and become a "follower" (link on the left).

Applications will be made available on Monday, April 4th, and we're looking forward to seeing who will join us. Would love to see more art (thus the extended name) and a greater variety of talent represented at our venue.  Forms will be under the Vendor tab. 

There are three new volunteers working diligently to ensure that advertising, food options and this web page are top notch this season.  Feedback is so helpful, so feel free to let us know what you think.