What could be more fun than to see our beautiful town host thousands of visitors for a three-day sun-filled get-together? But I am compelled to comment on a problem that I have observed for the past few years that continues to escalate.

Last year my company secured the global distribution rights for myonatural.com. I wanted to share this exceptional product with the great number of folks that visited the show, so I contacted the show manager.

I was told that since this was a juried show for artisans, I did not qualify for a $500 space, because I did not create the product myself. But I could become a sponsor of the show for $2,500 and I would be able to sample the product but not sell it.

Show management then referred me to an outside company that was contracted by the fair to sell sponsorship opportunities. I explained my situation and was told that I would in fact be allowed to sell my product.

I decided to walk the show and really take a look at what was for sale. What I learned from talking to artists that make their living from doing juried shows was very disturbing. One artist said, “How can I sell a handmade garment that I created against a ten dollar mass-produced t-shirt?”

As I looked closer at the offering, it became clear that many booths were populated by folks that were buying something and reselling it. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with that. But are we in the process of turning this event into The Great Flea Market? If so, then I would like to sell my product, too.

Now is the time for the people that run this event to make a decision as to what direction they are headed.