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NEAR-Fest Archives - Message Boards and Posting from Previous Events. => NEAR-Fest IX - April 29th and 30th 2011 => NEAR-Fest IX Discussion Board => Topic started by: Zappa on March 06, 2011, 12:30:19 PM

Title: Why Was The Beef Jerky Vendor Told Not To Attend?
Post by: Zappa on March 06, 2011, 12:30:19 PM

Some of you may be familiar with the fine locally made smoked meat and cheese products of Andrew and Libby Smith.

http://logsmokehouse.net/

These people have been a popular staple of the New England gun show circuit for over 20 years.

I've been telling Andrew and Libby about Near-Fest for a few years now and urged them to check into it.
I spoke with them yesterday and was informed of the cold reception they received by the NF people.
After having many info requests completely ignored, they finally received an answer of "we don't want you here", with no further explanation.
Why would the NF staff turn away a paying commercial vendor who's products have proven to be a big hit with the public?
I realize that their wares are not radio related, but there's tons of stuff being sold at NF that has nothing to do with radio, and those folks aren't being turned away.
They wouldn't even be competing directly with the other established food vendors because their products fall into the snack food catagory and wouldn't take sales away from the sausage and burger vendors.
If there's a good reason why they're being shut out of NF, I'd like to hear it.

Scott............W1TOW
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Title: Re: Why Was The Beef Jerky Vendor Told Not To Attend?
Post by: n1iwv on March 07, 2011, 03:03:19 PM

Hi Scott:

Thanks for using the forum.
I'm the treasurer for the Near-Fest events and will attempt to answer your question.
By contract with the Dearfield Fair Assoc (DFA), we are only allowed three (3) food vendors.
By DFA's definition your friend was considered a "food vendor".  We asked them directly.
The additional cost to Near-Fest would have been in excess of $350 (each) to add additional food vendors above our quota of three.
In regards to the "cold reception", I am sure Mr. Mike handled the communication with your friend in a professional and courteous manner.
The non-radio related items that you referenced in your post are a very small percentage of the vast amount of "stuff" at Near-Fest and are not eedible.
I don't know if you consider this a "good" reason or not, but it is the fact.

Why don't you see if Andrew and Libby want to get their ham license. Their admission ticket will be on Near-Fest

73s de Ed / N1IWV

 

Title: Re: Why Was The Beef Jerky Vendor Told Not To Attend?
Post by: Zappa on March 07, 2011, 06:33:58 PM

Thank you for your reply Ed, that's a perfectly reasonable explanation, and that's all I wanted to hear.
If the Libbys had been told that up front, I never would have made this posting.

73'

Scott...........W1/TOW

Title: Re: Why Was The Beef Jerky Vendor Told Not To Attend?
Post by: ab1ic on March 15, 2011, 10:44:29 AM

 :( I'm still not happy about it....maybe we should try to raise the 350....also they are more of a take home and eat later type of"food"

Debbie ab1ic

Title: Re: Why Was The Beef Jerky Vendor Told Not To Attend?
Post by: n1iwv on March 15, 2011, 08:00:50 PM

"maybe we should try to raise the 350."

Please make check payable to "Near-Fest" for $350.00.
Please mail to:

Near-Fest
104 Gould Hill Road
Greenfield, NH 03047

If you want I will provide an invoice.

73s de Ed / N1IWV