Kalamazoo: Friday Night Arrival & Set Up

Set up time! I attended the staff meeting, helped serve the staff dinner with Leslie and Ethan, gave Paisley her care package (which was a big success), and then hustled down to Expo North to start setting up.

The calm before the storm. Les and Rick have set up their tables and then put tablecloths on mine and assembled the clothing racks and hung the garment bags on them. Such a relief and I am grateful. That saved me a lot of work.

And since I'd packed the garment bags by type and size, all I need to do was unzip and remove them and the clothes were in place.

Those racks are very sentimental to me - my Dad made them way back in the 1980s to be used at living history events. They're still in use and it's nice to have his touch with us.

One of my most popular sales items are the fabric remnants. After I cut out a pattern, I collect the leftover fabric, measure it, and then record those measurements on a tag. I fold the remnant up as neatly as I can and tie it with twine.

This year I'd bought 32 remnants. They always sell out very fast, and true to past events, I had none left by the end of the show.

Because I had no help this year, I knew restocking would be difficult, especially on Saturday. So, I put every single beeswax ornament I'd brought out onto the table. That's 150 ornaments, and I sold 55, over a third of them, throughout the course of the show.

Because I was limited by the size of the display box, I could not do the same for the sleeve buttons. I sold a fair amount of them, and it was challenging to find the time to restock it. I'm thinking of how I could streamline its use for Feast.

Thanks to the extra help setting up from Les and Rick, I finished in good time and was able to go back to the hotel and get some sleep.

I stepped off the elevator as I approached by door, I saw a familiar face. Jamie Oxendine!  We chatted for a few minutes and I congratulated him on having gotten the Lumbee Tribe recognized. You should have seen his smile.

When I entered my room, I was a bit dismayed. How was I going to get into that bed without a step stool or something? (I put my walker next to it to show just how high the bed was.)

I wasn't the only person surprised by the beds; all the event staff was housed on that floor and were talking about it at breakfast the next morning. But it wasn't just the beds that were so disconcerting; the toilets in the rooms were VERY low, too.  (Didn't take any pics of that... LOL) 

But we managed throughout the weekend and, despite their height and the acrobatics to get into them, the beds were super comfy and I slept well, even with Saturday and its excitement just ahead.

Stay 'tooned!

Setting Up the Show Hall

Yesterday I drove out to Oxford and met Brooke and Tom to set up for Happy Trails V/The Dan Patch Show.

Of course, I had to stop by his barn and take a photograph.

Dan Patch is not buried here; this marker is a memorial to him and his Oxford roots.

The show autograph model was placed on a lectern close to the front door.

A view of the show tables and the entrants' tables.

The building is huge! And there are two more stories to it plus an attic.

I also set up the photo spot with the show drape. I put it near the windows where the light would be best.

I may move that table lamp on show day so the show drape can be moved back.

I also put my collection of bridle rosettes out for display so folks can see the Dan Patch set.

Ribbons and rosettes are on both show tables.

I also need to put out a basket to collect ribbons that people don't want to keep.

Already in the hall was this huge table. Due to its size, I thought it would be perfect for raffle donations.

It wasn't. And if any more donations arrive on Saturday, I'm going to have to do a little rearranging.

Which is a lovely problem to have - thank you to all who sent donations!

As it was, I had so many that I ended up using the benches for the table!

Set up was done in an hour although I realized after I got home that one of my personal sales models had accidentally been placed on the raffle table (the Hartland above) and needs to be moved back to my sales horses.

And, I discovered that I did not put out the Arabian show halters. In fact, I don't recall seeing them even though I know I packed them. I will look through the tubs when I arrive at the show hall tomorrow morning.

Due to time constraints, there may not be a blog post Saturday morning. If not, I'll be back Sunday.

Stay 'tooned!

Feast Thursday: Putting Things Out

Today is Feast School Day! And Ouiatenon is preparing for the arrival of 3,000+ excited and active fourth graders. It is going to be fun - I am so excited to be teaching kids again!

Audrey called me yesterday and asked if I might have any cloaks for sale. She switches outfits throughout her performances and wanted a cloak to complete one costume.

I had three for sale and so I met her at my tent as I was setting up for School Day so she could try them on.

This is rather a poignant picture - my mother made that gown and wore it to Leslie's wedding (which was held at the Feast.)

Leslie and our mother at the wedding reception.

It is Audrey's gown now and I think my mother must smile as she looks down and watches Audrey perform in a dress that she'd made and was very special to her.

And now there is something that I made being worn with that gown, making it all the more special to me.

After we'd chatted a bit, Audrey left and I got busy setting up the things I'd been making for months to sell.

Rick had loaned me one of his jewelry cases from his silversmithing days, and I was so happy with how it framed the sleeve buttons and made them rather elegant looking.

This case is mine - Leslie gifted it to me and I like how it couples so well with the bigger display box.

I still need to add a tablecloth to this table, but Belle will help me do that today.

I changed my mind and left the beeswax ornaments in their storage cases. I'll probably set them out early Saturday morning. Same with the maple cakes. They are still sealed in their boxes and I can't wait to try one!

The beautiful quilt block was completely hand appliquéd and hand quilted for me by Shelly, my high school best friend and college roommate. Go here to read the full story about it.

Belle and I are heading out to Ouiatenon early this morning. We'll have an hour to set up the 18th century sidesaddle and my English saddle, a second folding table, and the things Tim loaned me and get ready for the kiddos.

I left the saddles at home yesterday - there is no way to lock the tent, and while there are safety patrols onsite all night, I did not want to risk losing them. So, I will bring them out today and then take them home this afternoon when I finish with School Days.

Wish Belle and me luck - it's 40 degrees out as I type! Luckily I have two cloaks of my own and can loan one of them to her.

Kalamazoo 2025: Friday's Activities

Second Post of the Day

My sales items may have arrived in Kalamazoo on Wednesday, but I did not leave home until Friday at noon.

I went up with Leslie's bestie, Gretchen who is part of the show staff and was willing to let me put my things into her truck and travel with her. We had so much fun and I soon was hoarse from gabbing - I can see why she is Leslie's bestie.

What luck to run into my favorite living history friend right when we arrived - Carol Jarboe who portrays indentured servant, Maggie, at events. (Remember this photo when you look at others pictures of her as Maggie - yes, she really isn't missing all those teeth. LOL)

We had just a short amount of time to catch up before Leslie called all the staff into one of the Expo halls for dinner.

There were four rooms like this, set up with tables and ready for the doors to open at 7:00 that evening so vendors could begin setting up. The Expo Center is huge!

Leslie and Ethan Hazel, who is taking over for her next year, served us all. Technically I am not staff but Leslie and Gretchen told me not to worry about that and eat.

So I did. My plan had been for Goldfish Crackers back at the hotel, but a pasta dinner was much better. (Thanks, Leslie!)

I stayed for the staff meeting and then took a gander at the traditional Peeps display.

Leslie started the tradition years ago as a way to make people smile.

That's Gretchen on the right - she manned the front desk all weekend.

Honestly, aside from the "Hi," I couldn't read the Peeps message. But it still accomplished its purpose - I smiled.

Then it was on to the North Expo where my tables were and time to set up.

I nearly cried when I stepped through the doors and into the hall. 

Most of the hard work had been done -  my tubs were all inside, the clothing racks had been assembled, and my clothing removed from their bags and set out. That's Frank and Carol setting up Leslie's tables; they also came over and helped me lift boxes. Grateful to them, and to all who helped me.

Leslie had also asked a staff member, Anita, to help me and boy howdy did she ever. Sadly, I did not get her photo but she has become a friend. Grateful, again!

Frank got a time lapse video of set-up Friday night. I've asked him if I can share it here, and if he's okay with that, I'll post it in the next blog post. Stay 'tooned and cross your fingers.

In the meantime, I discovered this video from the 2023 Kalamazoo show made by living history enthusiast, Michael Delaware. Lisa (red riding habit) and I appear (green caraco) in it briefly starting at 11:42.

It will help give you a sense of the scope and size of this show. Take a look.

More tomorrow!

The Feast: Settling In

First Post of the Day

It is very cozy to be working outside and under the shelter of a tent when it rains. And it rained most of yesterday while I was holed up snug and comfy in my tent, unpacking and putting my wares on tables for sales.

Fortunately everything was already inside my tent before the rain began.

Even the clothing - I'd brought it to the fort with me this morning and got it hung up inside inbetween sprinkles.

Leslie checked on me periodically throughout the day. I was a bit surprised - this is always a busy day for her as people are checking in, finding their spots, and more.  Still, it was nice to hear that golf cart pulling up outside my tent and then to have her pop in to chat a minute or two.

It was raining hard as I went outside and began snapping the tent clips and securing the tent for the evening. Leslie puttered up again to say goodbye and then asked me if I'd like to see the Feast grounds. That was an offer I could not refuse - I never see the grounds as I'm too busy in my tent and, if I do get time, the grounds are so huge, I never feel like hiking all over them. Seeing it all by golf cart is a different story!

In I hopped and off we went. It occurred to me that some of you might enjoy getting a glimpse of the grounds as they transform into 18th century Indiana so I pulled out my phone and began recording.

Unfortunately, partway through our tour, the rain turned into a deluge so we only saw about a quarter of the grounds. But you can still get an idea of what they look like.

I hopped into my car soaking wet and shivering but with a big smile on my face. I'd enjoyed the tour and am hoping that maybe tomorrow she will take me around the rest of the place.

Now, for some dry clothes, hot chocolate, and a good book.

The Feast: A Quick Set Up

 Second Post of the Day

Wednesday was the first day of set-up, and most of the people out at Fort Ouiatenon were the big merchants who had brought trailers loaded with wares that would take more than a day to unload and put out.

I was there so early only because Rick was delivering my tent for me. Since he and Leslie are one of the big merchants (setting up their own tent plus the five that the Tippecanoe County Historical Association puts out across the grounds) they had to be there the first day in order to get it all done.

Individual places are marked by stakes with a sign on them, and while many people were setting up all over the grounds, I was the first to arrive on my row of sutlers.

 I am very close to the river (right behind that tree line) which makes my heart happy. I love the Wabash.

It took two cars to get my stuff out plus I will be bringing out a carload today.

Behind my tent is one of the major eating spots (see those picnic tables?) and a block of porta potties. Believe it or not, I'm happy about that. Both of those will bring a lot of foot traffic by my tent and that helps sales. (And, I can easily slip out and grab a bite or take a bathroom break. No hiking across acres and acres for this girl!)

Leslie and her successor, Brooke Sauter, stopped by to see how things were going and to offer to help. Brooke is a long time Feaster, friend, and sewist (my go-to person when I have a question about 18th century clothing and how it is constructed.) She will be fabulous as the next Feast director.

Ready to go to work. Sort of.

Things got a little silly as we waited for Curt to arrive so we could begin.

And then it was time for some tent raising.

After you lay everything out on the ground, the corner poles are set in place, and then the riser (which keeps the roof to the tent high) is put in place in the middle of the tent.

It's a much more physical job than you might think. 

Then the rest of the support poles are place, staked, and roped. Several walks around the perimeter are next. All those poles have to be adjusted to be sure they are standing upright and perpendicular to the ground.

The sides of the tent are added last. Lifting that heavy canvas is exhausting.

Before we completely enclosed the tent, we unloaded the cars. My clothes racks were still in the back of Rick's truck, so I decided to wait until Thursday to set everything up inside.

Believe it or not, we finished in an hour. We were all hot and sweaty, but we were done.

Since I was not feeling well, I decided I would go home and take it easy the rest of the day hoping to beat whatever bug I had and start feeling better.

It seemed to have worked - I am better today and am planning on taking that last load out to Ouiatenon and setting things up. That will be a mammoth job, but I still have Friday to complete the process if I need it.

Wish me luck!