notbob wrote:

> I wondered about the economics of these festivals/fairs. Since the primary
> point seems to be the vendors and not the alleged theme of said fair (art,
> food, history, etc), I have to assume these municipalities have it all
> worked out as to how much $$$ they are going to reap and how much they will
> charge vendors for the privilege of shaking down the rubes. Eight-fifty
> seems quite high, since some of these vendors look like they don't gross one
> quarter that, but I guess it depends on the locale/event and what you're
> selling. In the end, I can see no reason for these events other than to
> fill town coffers, so I'm sure the vendors pay dearly for their spot and
> have to charge accordingly and that more than just simple greed was the
> determining factor on the absurd price points.
>
> Anyone else having any info on the economics of fair/festival vendors?

There is an annual Food Fair in the city next to us that used to be
quite enjoyable. When it first started it was a lot of fun. A number of
local restaurants and wineries would set up booths and over samples of
their dishes for a reasonable amount. Basically, you got about a half
serving of appetizers for about half what they charge in their
restaurants. It was a good way for them to spotlight their businesses.

Then the festival organizers introduced the "bite bucks", tokens that
you had to use to buy things instead of cash, and prices soared. While
it used to be quite cheap to sample their wares it is now quite
expenive. You can't get half of a Thai spring roll for 50 cents. Now it
is $3 for one. No more samples of wine for $1, they are now $4 or more.
Meanwhile, the better restaurants have pulled out and it is now
mostly the usual concessions that you see everywhere else.