During the weekend of August 26th and 27th, 2006 - I participated as a vendor/artist in the very first “On Track Art Festival”, produced by the city of Hoquiam, in Grays Harbor.
Everything about this event was terrific - - from the planning, communications, cost to participate, and right down to the very enthusiastic and warm welcome each of us received. When I arrived on Saturday morning, I was immediately and warmly greeted by Barbara (one of the committee members), who offered to help me in any way possible.
The event was a joy in which to participate. I could feel the enthusiasm of everyone involved - - from the artists, the city officials, the volunteers, and all of the attendees, who were so happy to have such a great event in Hoquiam, and took the opportunity to thank each of us as they visited our booths. All of the local shop and pub owners thanked us for bringing both our art and our patronage to town.
Throughout the two days, the artists were treated like gold by the festival committee members. I was flabbergasted to attend an artist’s reception at the end of the first day, to find a buffet of food set up for all of us (that’s unheard of, really!)
We were all thanked repeatedly for our participation, and a grand prize was awarded to the artist judged to have the most interesting pieces of work (the grand prize was a weekend at the Quinault Lodge!)
There were artists featuring pottery, jewelry, weaving, photography, painting, woodwork, handmade soaps, teas and clothing.
My overall sales for the weekend were great - - and more than I had anticipated. I hope to be invited back next year, and if so, I will lock in the dates (which again will be the last full weekend of August.)
Mary Brown and her committee and the City of Hoquiam should be very proud of this first-time event. It was a great success, and I am sure that it will only get bigger and better!
Nancy Draper
Tacoma, WA
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