While I've written on this subject in the past, I just read an excellent article in The New Mexican (Santa Fe, New Mexico) discussing the subject. What I took away as the main point of the article is that local vendors are irritated that streets are closed at 6:00pm on Friday evening for weekend festival booth set up.
I see this as a valid point. While waiting until 10:00pm when the exhibitors may have to be setting up their booths in the dark is extreme - what about setting a compromise at 8:30pm?
Also, local business owners make the points that goods for sale are not well-juried, bringing down the tone of the shopping district (and decreasing foot traffic), and many of the vendors are from out of state who are not properly collecting sales taxes.
Once again I see issues with jurying in arts and crafts crap as a legitimate complaint. And, as an exhibitor, I don't want to participate in a festival that has a reputation of accepting sub-par vendors.
So what do you think? Do local businesses have a point or are they just being too territorial?
Hello Marie,
, instead they wait for all businesses to close and set up begins at 3:00am 
. We would be thankful for an 8:30pm set-up! The booths that are set up almost entirely block the shop entrances which was a major complaint and some shops choose to not even open.
……JL
I live in Manayunk, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pa. We have a major art festival every June and I have heard various complaints from both residents and businesses. They do not shut down business to facilitate the event
As you suggested there are always ways to accomodate events but in most cases you have a few which determine the course of action. Sadly, often choices are made without a real regard to fairness or outcomes, (which by the way, do not affect them directly). The main objective is to host the event. The rational is that the events only occur occasionally therefore any affects of them should be absorbed by the residents and businesses alike.
As for vendors, this show seems to attract mid to top ones of various interests (mucho jewelry), and others that just hope sales will cover fees and expenses. To my current knowledge it is not a juried venue and I would not know if being such would effect the event, set-up or vendors that seek to come, but you are right about the “crap” issue. Paying $40.00 for a pair of earrings that only lasts for 3 wears is a bit much! (vendor at home rubbing hands together….muuuhhhaaaahaaahaaa).
Enjoy your day!
Thank you so much for your well thought out response. I don’t participate in street festivals of this nature, so the logistics of setting up and what not kind of escaped me. It would be nice if the terms were such that all parties ended up as happy as possible.