One thing I've learned after years of selling at markets and festivals is that weather can make or break an event.
Sometimes heat keeps customers home. Sometimes rain does. Sometimes it's smoke, wind, or something completely unexpected.
The good news?
You can't control the weather, but you can prepare for it.
Living in Oregon, we've learned to be ready for just about everything. And if you're just getting started, our Craft Fair Vendor Checklist is a great place to begin.
Rain? That's Just Oregon.
We live in Oregon.
Enough said.
Rain happens, and we always come prepared with waterproof bins, tent weights, side walls, and a plan for keeping our inventory dry.
We once did an event that was held inside a giant event tent. It rained so hard that the roof leaked, and we ended up putting up our own canopy inside the tent just to stay dry.
After hundreds of market days, rain doesn't scare us anymore. But sometimes events just don't go as planned — read more about what we do when a vendor event doesn't go as planned.
Wind? We Deal With Plenty of That Too.
We're part of the Yachats Farmers Market on the Oregon Coast, so wind is a regular part of life. If wind is something you regularly deal with, I've written an entire article about how we prepare for windy markets and festivals.
That doesn't mean we'll set up in anything.
If the forecast is calling for sustained high winds, small craft advisories, gale-force winds, or sideways rain, we stay home. No market is worth risking your tent, inventory, or personal safety.
If you're ever faced with unsafe weather during an event, I also wrote about how we decide when it's time to pack up and leave early.
For normal windy market days, however, we're prepared with proper weights and a setup designed to handle coastal conditions.
Smoke and Ash Are Part of Fire Season
Unfortunately, smoke has become a reality for many western states, especially in the late summer into fall.
We've worked markets where the air quality wasn't great, and yes—I've had ash falling on my tent and products before.
It's not fun, but it's something we've learned to manage during fire season.
Heat Can Be the Hardest Weather of All
Most people don't think of Oregon or the Pacific Northwest as places that get extremely hot.
But they do.
One of our hottest events ever was in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
The temperature hit 102 degrees, there was smoke in the air, and it felt like the kind of day that would send everyone home.
Instead?
It ended up being one of our best sales days ever.
That experience taught me something important:
Some will stay home.
Others will show up anyway.
You just never know how an event will go.
The key is making your booth comfortable enough that people want to stop and stay awhile.
What We Do to Stay Cool
Selling Jewelry or Other Small Products? Skip the Sidewalls Whenever Possible
One of the biggest mistakes I see vendors make on hot days is closing up their tent.
If you sell jewelry, candles, bath and body products, fiber arts, woodcrafts, or other items that are primarily displayed on tables, consider leaving your sidewalls off unless they're providing much-needed shade. Good airflow helps keep both you and your products cooler.
Sidewalls can dramatically reduce airflow and turn a canopy into a giant oven.
Sometimes we'll use half of a sidewall to block the afternoon sun as it shifts throughout the day, but we're always thinking about maintaining airflow.
A breezy tent is much more comfortable than a shaded tent with no ventilation.
Of course, this advice doesn't work for everyone. Painters, photographers, and artists displaying large original artwork often need their walls for display space.
Tips for Art Show Canopies (TrimLine, Light Dome & Similar)
- Open any roof vents your tent has. Let that hot air escape.
- Use battery-powered fans. Many artists hang them from the canopy frame to keep air moving.
- Use mesh walls whenever possible.
- Add an awning if your tent supports one. Extra shade helps both you and your customers.
- If possible, leave a rear doorway or opening partially open for airflow.
- Remember that direct sunlight creates glare on framed artwork, so additional shade can actually improve the customer experience.
You may not be able to open up your booth the way a jewelry vendor can, but a little extra airflow and shade can make a huge difference during a long, hot show.
Protect Your Inventory
Pay attention to where the sun will be throughout the day and adjust displays as needed. A booth that starts out shaded at 9 a.m. can be in full sun by noon.
Every product reacts differently to heat.
- Will anything melt?
- Will adhesives soften?
- Will candles, soaps, or packaged foods be damaged?
- Will metal or glass become too hot to touch?
Even if your products don't melt, consider whether customers can comfortably touch them.
Bring More Fans Than You Think You'll Need
We bring three Ryobi battery-powered fans to hot events.
One for Will.
One for me.
And one for customers.
Yes, customers.
Customers absolutely love standing in front of that fan for a few seconds while they browse.
We also bring extra battery packs so we can run them all day long.
It's one of the best investments we've made for summer markets.
Some vendors use a misting fan, though the extra moisture doesn't work for us — it would damage our jewelry cards and sea glass art.
Provide a Place to Sit
We always keep a stool near the front of our booth.
It gets used constantly—usually by bored husbands. Sometimes by tired shoppers. Sometimes by someone who just needs a minute out of the sun.
Either way, people appreciate it.
Pro tip: Comfortable customers tend to stay longer. For more ideas on drawing people in, read our tips on how to encourage customers to shop in your booth.
Add More Shade
Shade is valuable on hot days.
We use canopy awnings that attach to our tent. Some tents come with awnings, while others have aftermarket options available.
Our Eurmax awnings have been fantastic for creating additional shade in front of the booth. There are also aftermarket awnings available for many popular canopy brands.
For some events, we'll even bring an extra market umbrella and stand.
The extra shade helps us, but it also helps customers feel more comfortable while they browse.
Stay Hydrated
This one sounds obvious, but it's easy to forget when you're busy.
We always bring plenty of water and cold drinks.
Many festivals do a great job of providing water stations or bottled water for vendors, but I never assume they'll have enough.
I'd rather bring too much than not enough.
Eat Something
When it's hot and busy, it's easy to forget to eat. We always pack easy snacks in our cooler and some that don't require refrigeration. Standing outside for eight or ten hours in the heat takes more energy than most people realize. And when it's a busy event, getting away to buy food is sometimes impossible!
Dress for Comfort
On really hot days, comfort wins.
I'm not dressing for style.
I'm dressing for survival.
Lightweight clothing, comfortable shoes, hats, and breathable fabrics make a huge difference when you're standing outside for eight or ten hours.
Cooling Towels Really Work
If you've never tried cooling towels, they're worth having in your market kit.
Get them wet, wrap one around your neck, and you'll feel cooler almost immediately.
They're inexpensive, reusable, and take up almost no space.
Final Thoughts
Every market vendor eventually develops a weather strategy.
For us, that means preparing for rain, wind, smoke, and heat.
We've learned that some of our best events have happened on days when the forecast looked terrible. That 102-degree day ended up being one of our best sales days ever.
The weather might affect attendance, but it doesn't automatically determine whether a show will be successful.
But vendors who prepare for changing conditions are far more likely to have a successful—and enjoyable—day.
Prepare for the conditions, take care of yourself, make your booth comfortable for customers, and you'll be ready for whatever Mother Nature decides to do.
More reading for market vendors:
- Make What Sells: How to Actually Make Money at Handmade Markets & Festivals
- Tips To Help Increase Your Craft Sales At Markets
- Come On In! Tips To Encourage Customers To Shop In Your Booth
- When You Don't Get Accepted to the Art Festival: Dealing With Jury Rejection
- Craft Fair Vendor Checklist: How To Get Ready To Sell At Markets