We have an addition to our favorite festivals: St. Marys Seafood Festival in St. Marys, Georgia!
Not only is it one of our favorites, but it is number one on my list of What to Do When Things Go Wrong.
After we reached the campground the night before the festival and were transferring everything from the fifth wheel to the truck so we’d be ready to go in the morning, we realized we’d forgotten the cash box.
Can you imagine being a vendor at an event without a cash box? The possibility of not having a place to store cash after people paid or worse, not having change ready when people paid with large bills was terrifying. We made a fast trip to Walmart, our go-to place when we need something for a festival, and found a small cashbox with a key and cobbled together small bills for change from our wallets. Good enough; crisis averted.
When we were setting up early the next morning, I realized I’d left my Writer ball cap at home. If you’ve seen any of my photos of festivals or seen me at any festival in the past several years, you know I ALWAYS wear my Writer ball cap. Depending on the weather, I can count on it to shade my eyes, keep my head dry when it rains, keep my hair from blowing in my face when I’m signing books, and identify me to readers at the festivals. Yes, I’m the Author.
Not even Walmart could help. I tried to keep a stiff up lip and soldier on; after all, the Meet the Author sandwich board sign helped identify me, but MY HAIR!
The vendor next to us gave me a hat after I asked him how much it cost. Now I have an emergency Writer hat that doesn’t actually have Writer on it, but I might have a patch made sometime.
We loved our spot. The festival was coordinated by the Kiwanis Club of St Marys and was organized, smoothly run, and well-staffed. Can you tell how generous our booth was? We had enough room between us and our closest neighbors to set up a side table on the right side of our tent for readers to browse at leisure.
We chatted with readers and sold books all morning. When we had enough of a break around two o’clock to eat lunch, we realized… you’ve already guessed, right? I’d forgotten to pack our sandwiches, an apple, cookies, and drinks for lunch.
Thank goodness Kraken Coffee & Kitchen Co. was right behind us and was open! We split a tasty chicken salad sandwich.
After we finished our lunch, a couple who were eating slices of a delicious looking pie bought three books from us. While I signed their books, I asked them about their dessert. It was bacon bourbon cheesecake and, no surprise, it came from our new favorite cafe, Kraken Coffee & Kitchen Co. We had bacon bourbon cheesecake for our afternoon snack. Cheers!
When the festival was over, our book bins were much lighter. It was a glorious day, and we’re definitely going back to St. Marys.
p.s. We now have a checklist for final packing and set up.
You keep reading; I’ll keep writing!
Judith A. Barrett - Author 