Photos: Sixth Annual Summer in the City

The next to last last picture is either a reflection in a window or the ghosts of pre Urban Renewal destruction, come back to haunt Batavia. I want one othe Batavian T-shirts, I'll give twenty bucks.

I thought this was a big waste and was very dissapointed. First off, from The east end by Main Street Pizza to Main Street Fitness were all the classic cars, but so many bare spots. Center Street and Jackson Street always had crafts and booths - this year - NOTHING. Last year (maybe 2 years ago I forget) Center Street was jammed with food and craft booths. This year - motorcycles and a few cars. Same with Jackson Street from Main to basically Valle's - this year..1 tent and I think it was a station for City workers possibly. Then from the fitness center to the bank on the south side of Main was bare. In front of the little park was where a few stands started setting up..like The Batavian. The north side had basically just food stands, thats it. Kids could get their face painted or win a prize at just a few booths by Wendy's. Some local businesses were there, but basically maybe 3-4 none and no vendor booths really. I remember you couldn't walk up and down Main without stopping at every booth to "window shop" or buy something. The stage was in a nice spot, but I was there from 4pm until 6:15 and never heard a note. People were smoking right by food stands- I saw one guy dropping his ashes right next to a grill and the lady cooking said nothing. ANd he didn't care. ALl kinds of kids skateboarding and running into people with no or little supervision. It basically was so stripped down from years past. Did the city charge too much for vendors? Also, with no airshow anymore it doesn't have the feel it used to. Time for the City to scrap this, save the money, and fix our side streets - like River Street which is a autobosy shop favorite because of all the potholes and cracks. Put the money to good use, not paying Nik and the Nice Guys all that money so 10 people can dance in the street after hitting 10 food booths.

I noticed a big lack of vendors as well. Did the threatening weather keep the vendors away?

John I thought you did a great job pretending to be a fake Elvis..........to bad nobody else was there to see your show.

Richard, Hey cowboy, so that was you standing there.

If you want Arts & Crafts at an event that is multi-faceted, then the work for next year's event should be about 75% complete by now. Putting an Arts & Crafts show takes advanced planning and legwork. I've had the opportunity to do this several times. It means talking to A & C vendors at countless festivals and shows. Leave info about your upcoming event at every booth. Make good notes about vendors and their wares. Note those that offer something different than the rest. Follow through with a letter to those who have an exceptional booth or unusual craft item. Extend invitations and explain why YOU want them at your show. Mention their unique product that caught your eye. Information is the key to a successful show. Draw attendance from past events and give them an idea of the number of possible customers who will walk by their venue. Let them know what kind of security you have in place. A detailed map of the area highlighting restaurants and hotels is always appreciated. Have a team of runners (at least two) who tour the A&C area a few times a hour. These "runners" can make a food run for those who can't leave their booths. Provide free water to vendors, especially if it is a hot day.

Laura, Great idea!

Bea, Maybe they could talk with GO ART and get their list of vendors from the Picnic in the Park?

Richard, Hey cowboy, your trying to hard to be funny. Is that why you had to leave Texas?

John, Getting a list from another organization is an idea. They can also go to one of the numerous newsletters for A&C vendors and just place an ad. It isn't the same as taking the effort to talk to each vendor and discussing your own event. I found that making that effort brings results.

There are some really good suggestions here, we will have to put them into effect during Batavia's annual "Autumn in the city". Instead of watching leaves change we can walk up and down the street watching traffic lights change :)

You are not going to believe this, but I was sweating in my backyard in Austin, Texas when a deflating helium balloon that said "The Batavian" dropped out of the sky. Quit messing with me. I told you you wouldn't believe it, so please don't. Sometimes I lie.

Batavia seems to have a pizza shop on every street corner. Knowing that I would give the nod to the sweet pizza from Main Street Pizza. I might not have been looking in other places but, I don't ever remember seeing that anywhere but, Batavia.

Richard, Such sharp Texas wit!

So Richard, how was the 2 for 1 all you can eat buffet at the "Stuff and Purge?"