November 3, 2013

The Fancy Flea Rain Event!

You know that rain that slowly made it's way across the nation.....Well, it hit Plant City Florida at 8:30 am yesterday a half hour before the 9am opening of the Fancy Flea.  I was soaked and my hair was soaked, but I'm smiling because....Well, what are you going to do?  


All day rain in Florida is very rare and seldom in November, until yesterday.   I know from growing up in Minnesota that if  we had a big snow storm people didn't go out.  Well, here in Florida people don't go out in the rain, especially an all day rain, and certainly not to an outdoor event in a dirt field.  It rained and rained and then it rained some more




There was 400 vendors all set up for the big day.....And all covered up with plastic.  When the gates opened...Well, lets just say there was no big crowd rush


The Flea has outgrown the streets of Lakeland Florida and for the first time was held at the fair grounds



The field turned to mud...Think Woodstock 1969.  

Cars were stuck and had to be towed out, people were slipping and falling covered in mud, some vendors were in dips in the field and standing in 3 inches of water and the fire ants had a hey day biting every foot and leg in site.   

Oh, and the police were called with lights flashing as a physical altercation erupted between two vendors.  One vendor pushed the top of his tent up to get the water off and that caused the water to pour onto a neighboring vendors table.

Only a couple food vendors showed up and I'm guessing the porta potty emptying trucks couldn't make it to some of the porta pottys because of the mud.... So they filled up........Are you laughing yet!

We had everything smashed inside our tent with with plastic all around the outside



But, it wasn't a total loss, we made sales and the rain mostly quit the last couple hours so we were able to get some of "Our" merchandise out... Remember I partnered with Barr Display!  Bless their hearts, what troopers!   Oh goodness, they worked so hard and brought so much merchandise that we could not even get out of the boxes.  If you planned on purchasing from Barr and understandably you didn't make it to the Flea you can always purchase from their online catalog HERE, shop in their large Orlando show room, or give sweet Megan, their customer service rep that was with me at the Fancy Flea a call 800-222-2702

If you have not entered the giveaway for this full size vintage look dress form,
This drawing has ended

 you can enter HERE.....The drawing will be on Tuesday.  Goodness, thank you so much to all of you that have already entered...I am blown away by the response! 



Yes, I know people were disappointed but, putting things in perspective, this was not a disaster, not even close to what I would classify as a disaster.  There is nothing you can do about the rain and I met so many wonderful customers, blog, and Facebook friends. 

The rain  quit the last couple hours so I will show you later this week a glimpse of our tent kind of set up.  I'll let you know what sold and give you a look at some of the other vendors.



I'm happy to report that today the weather is gorgeous and sunny with a notable drop in humidity and clear blue sky!  

Yep, this is the day the Lord has made!  Yesterday......I'm guessing there might have been just a slight grin on his face!

Happy Creating
Carol

55 comments:

UndercoverVendor said...

One of my friends was there and pulled one of the vendors out of the "altercation." She said the police chewed them out. And that was that.

GrandmaSoucie said...

So sorry you were rained out!!! It's a hard thing to work that many months to get ready and then weather do that to the show!!! I hope it was worth your while!!

Unknown said...

What an incredible woman you are to be able to smile through all of that rain! I will never forget my first outdoor vendor event I did...a mini tornado/rain storm (for real!) blew through, and took my tent and half my purses with it! I think I peed my pants a little that day. ;)

June said...

It was so great to meet you yesterday! When I stepped into your booth, you were very busy with customers so we only got to chat for a few minutes. I so wanted to purchase a few things from Barr, but there was no way I was going to lug them to the car - a good half mile away.:) I will have to order on-line. I am in love with the lace scarf and one of your famous flower pins that I bought from you. We managed to stay for 4 hours - two in the pouring rain and two more hours slushing in the muddy terrain.... Even with all the discomfort, we had a ball!

UndercoverVendor said...

Fleastock!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Oh my...so sorry to read about all that rain. Happy to see that you are still smiling Carol. Mother nature can really hit us hard sometimes.

Blessings,
Linda

MONSIEUR LE CHAT ET MOI said...

Oh quel manque de chance ! surtout que la pluie est un évènement exceptionnel en Floride, alors qu'ici (en région Parisienne), le temps au mois de novembre est toujours incertain. Je vois que tu gardes le sourire et c'est une belle preuve d'optimisme, car s'être donné tant de mal est toujours décevant. Ici en France, c'est vrai que nous sommes souvent tributaire du temps, mais, malgré tout, les gens prennent un parapluie et sortent quand même (mais de toutes manières, les affaires sont évidemment moins bonnes en tant que vendeur forcément).
The worst is when you have to pack all your "unsold" items !

xoxo

Joëlle

sunnyskiesandsweettea said...

It was crazy yesterday! But it was so fun to see you.
Blessings,
Amy Jo

Heidi G said...

Oh my!! So sorry to see all the work you put into all of your beautiful things and then to have it be such a rainy day. Your ability to smile though it all is wonderful.

Nancy said...

You are such a Trooper!! But what can you do? Smile and have fun! We moved in to our New location Friday and all the Furniture sold yesterday. I have an entire Booth of things sitting on the Floor in this Beautiful store. Nick is out rounding up the back up pieces of Furniture should we have ever needed them, Ha! Oh the best laid plans...

Glad you still had fun Carol!!

Huggs, Nancy

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Oh, Carol! I'm so sorry it rained but you really sound so good talking about it. I read it to my hubby since we know a little about the weather in Florida. We get those little pop up showers but rarely a rainy day. You have the prettiest smile and I know you're glad you did it. We're still in NC but it's cold and windy so we'll be back soon. Sending you some extra hugs!

shari said...

Carol, I am so sorry mother nature didn't cooperate. You put so much work into it, I love how you can still smile and joke about it. Wish I lived closer, I would have come out in the mud to check out all your goodies.

DownTheLaneWithDaisy said...

Wow, Carol, talk about making lemonade from lemons or mud pies from mud....whatever, you have the greatest attitude. It's all about perspective, isn't it? I guess you'll have plenty of inventory for Orange Tree, right? You should be all set for the holidays.

I think you are on the right track with your partnership with Barr Display and your creative ideas. They should be thrilled to be partnering with you. A total win-win.

PS. My kids went to the second Woodstock and my daughter came home without her shoes. They were just sucked up in the mud and disappeared.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hey Carol, you sure are handling it well. You look so cute in your apron!

Glad that you did well overall.

hugs
Sissie

Createology said...

Oh Carol what a trooper you are. Your spirit is inspiring. Sorry about the rain and fire ant bites. Blessings dear...

Unknown said...

Oh wow, I don't know that I would have been able to vend in those type of conditions. I'm glad you guys made it though though! :)

Marilyn said...

Your positive attitude must have been a shining star for all that made it out to see you! You really should not have been the fire ant's lunch. Oh, my! Hope you had some sort of relief when you were back home.♥♫

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I LOVE your big smile! So sorry about the rain! Glad you had some sales. It's a great memory for you!
Warmly,
deb

Victoria said...

I had really wanted to go to this but it didn't fit into our schedule this year. We're in SW Florida and they predicted rain for yesterday but, it never came here!

It looks like you had a successful day despite the bad weather:)

Annesphamily said...

Rain comes and although we need it, sometimes it has no plan! LOL! You were such a trooper. Glad you had some sales! Sorry for the hassles for so many with parking and such! You always tell such a great story! Hugs, Anne

Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement said...

You have such a great attitude and I'm sure the buyers saw that. Glad you saw the good in the day and hope the rain stays away for awhile now.

Pam

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

How disappointing for you but what a great outlook you have anyway!!! Nancy

Donna said...

I'm so sorry to hear that you had so much rain on your big day! All of that work, and then all of that rain and mud! But you kept the smile on your face, and a good attitude:) Bet that is one sale you will never forget! Now get some much needed rest!

Bluebirdbasketry said...

Carol,

Just unbelievable...and here you are smiling! How about a few weeks recovery then do an encore in your online store with some flower pins and those gorgeous lace scarves. We need beautiful handmade Christmas gifts :)

Hugs,

Sue

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! You poor dears!

In situations like those, I usually giggle uncontrollably/insanely and feel like Daffy Duck! Ha-ha!

Well, I hope it wasn't too big of a money loss for ya'll. ♥

Perfectly Printed said...

Wow, what a day! Through rain and sleet and snow.... A flea market vendor never gives up!!

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

I'm so sorry about the rain, Carol. After all the work you had put in preparing for that event, it's such a shame that the weather didn't play along. It's great that you still had a bit of fun and met some online friends.
Hugs,
Julia

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Carol
So sorry about the rain but you sure took it in stride. Loved reading your up to the minute day and what took place. Rain on the vendors table from the tent top. I can imagine that exchange.

Well at least you had a couple hours at the end when the rain stopped and had fun anyway meeting friends.
Hugs

Tee said...

and yet you still managed to look as cute as a little ladybug!
If you scrapbook you need a quote from when the Lord told Noah to build the Ark.

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

And just look at your smile! So sorry to hear about all of that, but optimism saved the day!

Kelley~

material pursuit said...

You are an inspiration to all flea market vendors!!!

My heart ached for y'all while I was packing for our Sunday market on Anna Maria Island. Several friends were there with you in Plant City & remarked the day was not a total loss.

Will remember PERFECTLY PRINTED's advice..."A flea market vendor never give up!!"

The Speckled Hen Cottage said...

So sorry to hear about the rain:( But glad to hear you "kept calm and carried on"!!! You would make a terrific Oregon Coast girl. happiness~~Mickie

bird.is.the.word said...

Oh, that's too bad - I now how it is to work so hard for an event only to have it drowned out - BUT - your perspective is good. Just a speed bump, not a tragedy.

Martha's Favorites said...

I WOULD LOVE TO WIN. PLEASE ADD MY NAME TO THE NAME. YOU ARE A BRAVE ONE. HUGS, MARTHA

evelio said...

We were there too!!! I kinda forced my wife to be a vendor with me...needless to say there was a lot of foot massaging going on later that evening...I usually walk around and try to meet the other vendors but it didn't work out this time...might still do it in the spring...
https://www.facebook.com/OurLittleCornerAntiquesFurnitureandGifts

Jan Flood said...

Oh Carol, I am so very sorry, after all the work you put into preparing for this. As you say, it isn't the first and won't be the last time the weather interrupts the plans we so carefully worked out, but it is disappointing. Been there, done that and have the T-shirt to prove it :) I've seen tents collapse, and even take flight when unexpected winds came up. Sure hope nothing was ruined - maybe there will be a Christmas Show you could do? Inside? :)

farmhouse-story said...

what a sweet picture of you under the umbrella...and you are smiling, bless your heart, carol! so very sorry for the disappointing day:(

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

You're a real trooper to have such a good attitude about it. I know it must have been a huge disappointment for so many vendors and customers too, but at least you got in a couple of good hours. I've been in that situation and it's no fun. You look so cute with your apron and umbrella:-)

Roxanne Reinhart said...

Oh Carol, I HATE that it rained on your big day. My goodness what an adventure it turned out to be. Hopefully you were able to sell some of he things that you poured your heart into making.

Ann said...

Unbelievable. You worked so hard and had many lovely items. I guess you gave new meaning to a raincheck. But I admire your enthusiasm.

marda said...

What a crying shame...that was just to sad. There's always a risk, but if it's gonna rain when it usually doesn't it will be during an outside venture!!! I guess chalk that up to more experience.

pipigirl said...

well....bet this is one youll never forget huh? hope that things went fairly well for you considering. i ope it wasnt a total washout. what a shame, after all of your hard work. fire ants gotta love em....bring the nail polish...lol. ope you werent too close to the free for all. next year:)

Shabby chic Sandy said...

Oh No! Being an Oregonian I would have not minded it too much but it really sucks about that vendors table. How awful! You have a good attitude :)

Shelly said...

It does make for good reading and an entertaining story. So sorry though for sales and how hard you worked getting ready. That really is a bummer, hopefully there wasn't much damage to vendor's merchandise. I bet a few shoes bit the dust though.

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

That was some day Carol. So sweet to see you smiling :)

hopeandjoyhome said...

What a bummer! So much work and hope! I have had one of those monsoon shows that ended in my husband and I pulling the tent down over our booth and hanging onto it so it wouldn't blow away while a river ran through our booth and the rain poured off the tent and poured down the back of our pants..my jeans were soaking wet and so heavy with rain they started sliding down! We just looked at each other and started laughing like loons..one of my favorite show memories! I wish you could have a (good) do over!

Betty@SouthernGrace said...

Ohhh, I'm sorry. Carol. Yes, those FL rains spoil everything. But you're cute as a button as always :)

FredaB said...

Hi Carol

I was half decided to come from Mt. Dora but when we woke up to rain that decided it.

After all the work you put into it I said to me husband what a heartbreak for you. glad you did get a couple of hours and that some people did come.

We just got here last week so one of these days I will mosey on down to Orlando and drop in at your shop. I love your blog and always read it.

Hugs
FredaB

Debbiedoos said...

Oh that is a bummer Carol! But you are still smilin so that is a good thing!

Little Miss Maggie said...

Just catching up, Carol. There is nothing you can do with a day like you had at the Fancy Flea but smile and keep a grin on your face. That is one flea market you will never forget. I wish it would have turned out better for you because I know how hard you work to get everything ready. I hope you will try it again.

Little Miss Maggie said...

Just catching up, Carol. There is nothing you can do with a day like you had at the Fancy Flea but smile and keep a grin on your face. That is one flea market you will never forget. I wish it would have turned out better for you because I know how hard you work to get everything ready. I hope you will try it again.

Carla said...

Definitely made for an interesting day. Glad you could still smile about it.

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