Boy oh Boy has it ever been raining here in St. Louis. One of North America's great one day events was rained out this past Memorial Day Weekend. The Gypsy Caravan, it is a one day only event. A large, everything goes market. Georgia and I have done it and we both highly recommend it except when it rains all day.

We were at a small festival recently and I had forgotten just how much people love their local events. They flock to them looking for fun, what new and just plain entertainment. I highly recommend these small events, low rent, large crowds, can camp at your space if you want. One of these events is coming up real quick that I just love. The Friendship Flea Market in Indiana is held over the same time as the National Muzzle Loading Black Powder Shoot. Great event with some great crowds.

Don't overlook some of the hot flea markets; Stewarts in Indianapolis, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky and of course one of my favorite markets is the Belleville flea market in Belleville, Illinois.

What I am saying is that you got to keep those costs down. Don't back into some of the bigger events with large booth rent and fierce competition. Expenses too heavy to come out with a decent profit. I remember booking into one Iowa fair and being told that I was the only one that would be selling belt buckles and when I arrived and set up my spread there were 7 other belt buckle dealers. Oh well!

With the economy the way it is flea markets and small festivals are real hot right now. If you are doing the markets keep your goods neat and clean and price them low. As I always say stack it deep and sell it cheap. At the festivals what is going good right now is hot impulse items that are low dollar goods. $1 to $3 with a hot item you can just do a pass out with the customers.

I still believe that the best place to obtain merchandise is from the wholesale trade shows. Give yourself a full day or two to attend one of the shows and spend the first day just looking and talking, it will be hard not to get struck with UPSitis, that is where you want to order from every booth as everyone has such good items and prices. Take your time and look the place over before you start doing orders.

Something that I really liked at the trade shows was to buy booths. When the show is over the reps either have to box up the goods and ship it back to the home office or if they can make a deal with someone to come in and take all the items that gives them a break. Take some extra cash and see what kind of deals you can make and load the goods up into your truck and haul it home.

Here's to great sales and may the sun shine on every spot that you set up at.

Jim and Georgia Goodridge