RUNNING ON EMPTY!!!!! AUGUST 08 2011...........

The above says it all!  It was a fun, busy, hot, humid weekend, but I am not complaining - just stating the facts.

Left here early Friday morning, met Russ and Vicki in St. Clairsville, Ohio, then we all drove to Senecaville, Ohio to touch base with our friends there, leave our luggage, take a break, then on to Zanesville and the Y-BRIDGE festival. We had no clue what we were doing, or how we were going to do it, as this was our first time at that particular festival.  None of us had ever seen the Y-bridge.   We had never actually been to Zanesville, just drove through on the Interstate, and the bridge is now visible from there. 

When we arrived, the first thing we saw was the row of big white tents going across the bridge in the middle.  We were jockeyed into a spot at the end of the bridge - no vehicles allowed because of the tents - then signed in, got our tent and space assignment.  There were volunteers to help us unload.

My volunteer had a nice big 4-wheeled cart, we were able to unload the van and they wheeled the cart to my spot.  Only took one trip!  And I have a lot of stuff.  Everything unloaded in my 10 x 10 space, I returned to move my car to the reserved parking lot for vendors so that the next person in line could get unloaded.  It was hot!  It was muggy!  I am crazy!

The festival was scheduled to open late Friday afternoon until 9 p.m.  Vicki had asked me what we were going to do between setting up and the opening.  Told her not to worry, it took Russ and me hours to set up. 

First you have to decide how you want to configure your spot, as we have display panels that need to be put into place first, then where your tables are going to go.  Once that is done (and you can't just twitch your nose and wiggle your ears and bingo!) it is time to, in my and Russ' case, hang our art work, in Vicki's case, arrange her jewelry display.  Russ' mother-in-law and one of my good friends Kay,is always with us, she kind of supervises us, mothers us, and keeps us on the straight and narrow.

I think I have a permanent sign on my rear (back?) end that reads THIS BUS MAKES FREQUENT STOPS.  I work a while, take a break, work a while, take a break.  But I do get it done.  Once the art work is hung, then the unframed prints have to be arranged on the tables, plus you need a small work area (got to have room to put all that cash, checks, and charge slips) somewhere, plus what you are drinking - which was bottles and bottles of water, all supplied by the festival staff at regular intervals, and eating.  As every location is different, you always start from scratch.

Another thing that kind of slows you down, at a free outdoor festival like this, you have browsers (nibby noses, etc) wanting to look and see.  And talk.  And ask questions.  You can see why it takes time. 

We actually were ready to go with about an hour to spare before the official opening.  Time to make a pit-stop, change shirts, or whatever and get ready for the "mad rush" of folks to buy buy buy!  Friday evening is the after work group, and they did come to b. All three of us had a good evening.  The festival closed at 9 p.m., time to cover everything up (we all carry plastic with us, because of the weather), and head for our home away from home.

We were hot, tired, sweaty, probably smelly, left two of the vehicles in the parking lot in Zanesville, no sense taking three empty vehicles to the house.  Sometimes we really do think ahead.  Not often, but sometimes.  Never did a shower feel as good as it did Friday night.  We didn't even stop to eat our late night snack before bed until we were clean.  Then of course we had to sit up and talk.  And laugh.   Finally called it a day - a verrrry long day - and had to be up by 6 a.m. Saturday morning as we had to drive back to Zanesville, get everything uncovered and, if necessary, re-hung before opening at 10 a.m.

Never did a bed feel so good.

Tomorrow I will finish this saga, and add a few pictures.  Later this week I swill share the history of the Y-bridge with you.  It is quite a story.

In the meantime, enjoy your day and God bless.