The results from the SurveyMonkey (15 responding so far) indicate that Sundays would be the preferred day, and a fairly even split between 10 - 2 and 11 - 3 as the hours.Here's the complications though: The Glacier Valley CSA folks have arranged for their boxes of Alaskan produce to arrive on Alaska Air on Fridays, for pick up on Saturdays, and I know that this was not an easy arrangement for them.
Also, it is my understanding that the Wild Oven folks bake for Saturday pickup.
The next couple of dates, July 10, 17, and 24 are all clear in the Main Hall, so weather can be what it wants to be and we can move indoors as needed. The event on 8/7 may be fairly accommodating and OK with Market in the morning.
So I think, for now, we will hold and keep the Market on Saturday morning from 10 - 2.
Some comments in the survey ask why we want everyone to stick to the hours: If at all possible, it is important to have a concerted effort, and unified front to make the event seem lively and full. Don't want to hear "There's not much there" from the patrons - it will defeat the whole thing for all of us.
Other suggestions, that we move to the subport, Marine Park, or the parking garage, are not practical from the JACC perspective. The logistics of moving all the tables etc to another location make those alternatives quite difficult. In fact, one of our motivations for having the Market in the first place is to make use of the JACC facility and help support it during the summer/slow months. We don't have the staff or wherewithall to move stuff other places really.
At this point, we'll hold to Saturdays, and fingers crossed for great weather!
Here are the comments from the survey Monkey so far:
ReplyDelete1. Its a heads up conflict to change the day of the market: but it seems better to have the hall available if needed than to keep the same day Wed, Jul 7, 2010 9:17 AM Find...
2.As a volunteer, I am happy to change times/days. I would defer to vendors' preferences/needs, though. Sarah Mon, Jul 5, 2010 12:50 PM Find...
3.I like having both markets at the same time, in the same spot. I think the Farmers Market should not be restricted to "grown or gathered" because many people are skilled at preserving and baking, but cannot grow their own berries etc. And a good homemade apple or peach pie can't be beat! If we are allowed to make berry pies, we should be allowed to make other kinds of breads or pastries that are also shelf stable.
I was recently in Gustavus where there were some extremely good homemade chocolate tarts at the Farmer's Market. And the giant cinnamon rolls, oh my!
Farmers also make handicrafts in the winter which might fall under the artists market, but sewn, crocheted or knitted items are a traditional farm item.
Expanding both markets will help both markets attract vendors and create more public interest. Mon, Jul 5, 2010 9:22 AM Find...
4.Four hours seems like the right amount of time. Mon, Jul 5, 2010 6:53 AM Find...
5.Since I am unable to participate this year, I am reluctant to respond to the specifics above. However, I feel that Saturday is most likely better for locals while Sunday brings in more tour ships. The ideal would be to be open both days if possible--thinking ahead to next year. If I were able to participate this year, I would have to preference for Sat or Sunday given the rain situation! Sun, Jul 4, 2010 8:07 PM Find...
6.We're in a rian forest - need to plan for the rain. Tents are nice, bu not adequate if the goal is to establish the market as a regular thing. If we change back to Saturdays next year, perhaps the market could go from 8am - noon so that JACC could still be available in the afternoons/evenings??? Sun, Jul 4, 2010 7:31 AM Find...
7.Saturday markets are great! If the JACC is too problematic, get the City's permission to use the part of Marine Park where the Maritime Festival was held on nice days, and see if the City would let you use (part of) the top parking floor of the library parking garage on bad-weather days. That would keep the mkt in a consistent place, rain or shine. There should be plenty of parking in the garage and nobody would get wet on rainy days! Sat, Jul 3, 2010 8:57 PM Find...
(Nancy's editorial note on this - the JACC isn't prepared to move this off site. We don't have the staff nor capacity to set up anyplace else - going across the street was as much as we could handle. Moving the event to an new location would mean another organization will need to take on the Market. We also note that Rachel moved the Autumn Fest from Marine Park to the JACC due to weather. So - good idea if someone else wants to do it)
8.I think it's grand no matter when it happens :) Sat, Jul 3, 2010 8:26 PM