Event Overview

Date:Sept 15-16 2018

Location: Downtown Bluemont, VA

Retrospective

In terms of donations we did well, over $600. In terms of interest/members it was lukewarm. The barrel train is nice, but the layout we had set up didn't work well, plus most people seemed more interested in getting their kids a ride on the barrel train.

Lessons learned:

Make sure to coordinate logistics ahead of time. Moving the train cars to and from the event requires a pickup truck and trailer, or several trips in just a truck.
A tractor is needed to pull the train (as we know). We were able to borrow a tractor from a neighbor. Make sure to have extra fuel (gas or diesel depending on the tractor)
We need to set a go/no-go deadline for getting volunteers to staff the event and be willing to cancel

Thanks to members who turned out to support our booth and the event:

Bryan Boston, Mark R Millsap, Jonathan White, Tom McHugh, Tom Hill, Jean Damon, Erin Werling

Event Plan

The primary focus is showing the barrel train.

We will also have a table to display projects and promote Makersmiths.

Item	Maker	Type (exhibit, class, sale)	Short Description
Makersmiths Brochures	Mike W		Hand-outs for attendees, probably our regular trifold brochure.
Folding table(s)	Mike W
Canopy	Mike W
2nd Canopy			For sheltering the line for the cow train in case of sun/rain
Table-cloth	Jessee M
Sign up sheet	Mike W		Sheet for interest, capture name, e-mail address. Also space for them to write in classes they are intersted based on projects in booth https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gxkUuA-mWwRwYiLpSHzEl1nf6Lp5gMPoxtWBfjvbkLI/edit?usp=sharing
Class schedule	MikeW		List of upcoming classes and events (soap making, laser, quilt Sundays, craft night, woodshop night, open house)
Cards with directions to MS-L	Mike W		May be too costly, have to rely on the tri-fold as only handout.
PhotoBooth	Mike W	exhibit	Raspberry pi based camera that takes attendees' picture. They can type in their e-mail address and the picture will be sent to them. The e-mail will include information and links for Makersmiths.
Paper Flowers	Erin W	class	Paper flowers hung on a banner as a backdrop for the photo booth, also as props for people to hold in their picture.
Fabric baskets	Erin W	class
Cow train	Mike W	activity
Rope bowl	Jessee M	class
Garden Markers	Diane P, Tami S	Sales
Turned wooden rattle	Mike W	exhibit	Also a couple small bowls
Hand made soap	Diane P	class, sale?
3D Printed project	Mike W		Small planter w/ feet
Vinyl Project	<TBD>		Any good ideas? Some applique art or something else using the vinyl cutter?
Laser etch coasters	Mike W	class	Some of the coasters that Skip bought, etched with plant pics. Arrange something similar to the pumpkin carving where people can come get a set with their own artwork.
Sparkfun Simon game	Mike W	class	Demonstration of a learn to solder class. Plus something people can play with in the booth.

The event chair will make an inventory of all items to be displayed in the booth. However, this is a busy event with multiple days and shifts of people working. We will do our best to make sure nothing disappears; be aware that there is some risk to putting your item in the booth.

Schedule and Volunteers

Volunteers can sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49ACA929AAF58-bluemont. We need at least two people per 2 hour block, people are welcome to volunteer for more than one block.

We will also need volunteers to drive the tractor through the day, that is TBD depending on where we source the tractor and what guidelines/restrictions they have.