Tomato Festival - Oct 8-9, 2011 LOS BANOS

[davejs]

I have been sent info for this event next year and I placed it on the Upcoming Events page of Starving Vendors. www.starvingvendors.com/upcoming_events.html

This is a brand new event and I would like to know what you think of the booth fee of $250 for this. Reasonable? Not? Here is what they have to say about the show. Give them your opinion here.

Thanks so much for getting back to me so quickly and for listing our Tomato Festival on your site. I also appreciate your input on our pricing. I just wanted to respond with this information to see if it altered your view. Yes, the Chamber does two Street Fairs each year- although the Tomato Festival will take the place
of the Fall Street Fair starting next year- and yes, the booths are alot cheaper. The Tomato Festival is going to be held at the Fairgrounds with a paid gate and will run for 2 days instead of just the one that the Street Fair runs. This event will feature Celebrity Chefs (we have two signed up already)as well as cooking demonstrations throughout both days, so that should be a strong draw for "foodies," there will be live entertainment throughout both days as well as kids games and activities to keep people at the festival longer. The biggest difference is that we are promoting the event heavily from Bakersfield to
Sacramento including ads in Sunset Magazine, VIA Magazine and RV Journal, to name a few.We have some major sponsors that are tied in with the tomato industry so this event will have more the look and feel of the Gilroy Garlic Festival rather than a Street Fair.

So, with that being said, does the price for a two day booth seem more in line? We are looking at a demographic reach far different than just Los Banos.
Thanks
for your input.

[mark]

I have done the Los Banos street fair <one day $55>and Mothers Day in the park<$75 for 2 day>$250 for a 2 day show in Los Banos not worth it in my opinion is Max, booth fee should be around $100.This is a first year event i believe.how can you compare this to the Garlic Festival....?what do they think will be the attendent here?

[davejs]

I am wondering what the gate fee will be and if they have a carnival or not. Taking these expenses into account, one must wonder if the visitors will have any money left over, especially after they pay high food prices. We could be talking about $100+ right off the bat for a family of 4. Vendor's seldom prosper if there is a carnival unless they are selling kid-related items.

Hopefully, we can discuss this here with the promoter's of the show and they could listen to our advice and input.

[traveler]

Here's my .02.
$250.00 for 2 days for a brand new show in a 10X10? What kind of parking do they have, crowd control, demographics SECURITY? I would be a little cautious unless you are selling something that is highly themed for that. (Lodge cast iron, canned preserves, waterless cookwear, promo tee shirts, hand bags with tomatos all over them...)
You are right. If they have an entry fee, and rides and such, It leaves very little for the vendors. Also, if there is a famous chef doing a show, chances are, they will pay to see him, but that is all they are interested in. I noted that crowds will linger about, but once the announcement is made: "Next show, 15 minutes" they head there, no matter where they are. Depending on how many shows they run, and how long they each last, means a lull for that time. What might seem lke "WOW" because they have 6 shows a day, could be "ARRGGHH!!" because the crowd keeps running away.
Oops. I think that was more than .02!

[Los Banos Tomato Festival]

Thanks for all the feedback from the vendors here. I will try to answer the questions you raised and look for further comment. The Los Banos Tomato Festival ran for seven years and ended in 1994. We are bringing it back but with a stronger focus on the food aspect but also a focus on the agriculture aspect because tomatoes play such a big part in our region.
We do not expect to "be like the Gilroy Garlic Festival" with respect to the attendance the first year, but we are using their business model for running a festival since they started just like we are and have grown it over the years.
The gate price will be $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children and seniors. We thought that was affordable.
There are no carnival rides. The only other thing that will be paid for, once inside the gates, is food, some kids activities and whatever vendors are selling. The entertainment and cooking demos will be free.
The fairgrounds provides a controlled atmosphere and there will be security. There is a large parking lot just across the street from the fairgrounds and it will be free parking.
Hope this answers some questions and concerns. Please feel free to email me at [e-mail] if you would like to know more.

[davejs]

Apr 3, 2011 12:03:19 GMT -5 @Los Banos Tomato Festival said:

Thanks for all the feedback from the vendors here. I will try to answer the questions you raised and look for further comment. The Los Banos Tomato Festival ran for seven years and ended in 1994. We are bringing it back but with a stronger focus on the food aspect but also a focus on the agriculture aspect because tomatoes play such a big part in our region.
We do not expect to "be like the Gilroy Garlic Festival" with respect to the attendance the first year, but we are using their business model for running a festival since they started just like we are and have grown it over the years.
The gate price will be $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children and seniors. We thought that was affordable.
There are no carnival rides. The only other thing that will be paid for, once inside the gates, is food, some kids activities and whatever vendors are selling. The entertainment and cooking demos will be free.
The fairgrounds provides a controlled atmosphere and there will be security. There is a large parking lot just across the street from the fairgrounds and it will be free parking.
Hope this answers some questions and concerns. Please feel free to email me at [e-mail] if you would like to know more.

Thank you for telling us about your event. I received an application today in Manteca. I'll consider it. I've done Alma Heights Flea Market (Pacifica) the past two years and I would rather set up for a two-day show. Looks like you picked a good weekend for your event because there are not a lot of quality events (if there is such a thing as a quality event anymore) and you should have no problem getting vendors. I am glad that you have NO carnival there and that's a big PLUS for many vendors such as me. In other words, if you had a carnival there, I would not event think about it. Best of luck. I do question your $7 admission. It's a bit on the high side for an area with little money to spare. $4.00 is more like it, sorry.