event Kempton Pepper Jam 2015, Yay or Nay?

Gemini Crow Sauce Company

Gemini Crow Sauce Company

So, in 2014 I vended at a first year event, the Kempton Pepper Jam in PA.
Overall, for a first year fest, I was satisfied. Decent crowd. Good staff. Decent location. I knew I would want to vend again in the second year as it could only get bigger and better.
 
Around September, word came to light that the two organizers of the fest had serious issues and were splitting, with each announcing that they would be putting on their own fests in 2015, same weekend, and most likely within a 25 mile radius of each other. 
 
I was hoping that their issues would/could be resolved and it would be a no brainer for me to sign up again for year 2. Not the case.
 
My concerns are:
1. same type of event on the same weekend, relatively close to each other & you are potentially splitting your attendance, potential vendors, local promotion, etc... I don't know enough about the population or the organizers to make an honest assessment of which fest may be better for me and my company. If both of these go off as planned, attendance is gonna be split somewhat. The local papers may list obth events, but I doubt they can equally and fairly promote both events to their fullest capability. It comes down to each organizer and their efforts to get people to come to their event.
 
I know there will be plenty of other events in my and surrounding area's that weekend that may wind up being a third option. I enjoyed my time last year.....
 
Better to avoid both and look for a better option, or take my chances that I pick the event that goes over better? what's a boy to do!?!?!?
 
I don't like how the guy with the competing fest did business. Sending out emails pretty much slandering the other guy doesn't make me want to deal with him. I think most people will just go back to the original one, as I don't think most were on the mailing list of the nasty emails, and don't know any different. I may be wrong, but it's only about 90 minutes from my house, so it's not like I'm driving 10 hours one way.
 
DEFCON Creator said:
I don't like how the guy with the competing fest did business. Sending out emails pretty much slandering the other guy doesn't make me want to deal with him. I think most people will just go back to the original one, as I don't think most were on the mailing list of the nasty emails, and don't know any different. I may be wrong, but it's only about 90 minutes from my house, so it's not like I'm driving 10 hours one way.
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You have good points that I didn't really consider.
It is almost like the guy David went out of his way to get his story out there first to almost create the 'truth' when theres always another side to the story.
Also, regardless...people in the area are know familiar with the name, Kempton Pepper Jam, and that is a big advantage at this point....You very well may have made my decision for me! Thx J
 
I was curious about this one as well, if it's worth vending. We had to cancel last minute last year and that bizarre email sent out was really off-putting to the whole thing. Gemini, do you have any info about the "other" event? Is it just called "Pennsylvania Pepper Jam"?
 
All I know is that he plans on running it the same weekend and I think the venue is within 20 miles of the Kempton Center one.
 
I'm doing Kempton (the one from last year), simply for the fact that it has a one year advantage now over the PA Pepper Jam.
 
Last year, I did well at Kempton and was satisfied with the turn out and results for a first year fest. Weather permitting, it should do well again.
 
I do have my concerns with two competing fests being there, and it will probably come down to who does the better promotion for the event.
 
Just hoping for the best....
 
apinyaco, for us it was a simple equation for us. Last year's Kempton Pepper Jam was a lot of fun, and was very good as a first year show. The fact that the other guy, who I shall not mention, went whole hog on castigating, actually got flat out nasty, against the runner of the Kempton Pepper Jam, and is being quite spiteful by having his the same day. Now, THIS is what you have to think about. Yes, WE, the vendors for the first year, got all the nasty borderline legal emails from the other dude, which I felt absolutely distasteful. Yes, we did. The people, who came to last year's shoe, en masse, didn't get those emails, and will be back. Considering a vast majority of them also frequent the Bowers show in September, they will return to the original shows area. Am I a soothsayer, no, however, I do like reality as a mixer when making my decisions. 
 
Hope to see you there!
 
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It will be great for us to do Kempton this year. For one, it is a couple miles from the in-laws to that means free babysitting and it will be nice to see all of our chilehead brethren (and sisteren) again!
 
p.s. John, I like Bavarian cream donuts thank you very much.  :) 
 
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