June First Fridays in Press Plaza

This was the second First Fridays of the year, and thankfully the conditions were a bit more favorable. There was still some wind, but not nearly as much as last time. There was more daylight, more warmth, and I was able to put out more of my stuff. The event also seemed to be better attended, and there was definitely more engagement throughout the night. Even though that did not translate into higher sales, it still felt like a step forward.

Same as last time, I made sure to pack my car beforehand and headed straight there from work. I talked to the other vendors more during this event, which was nice, but I might have left my table alone a little too much and missed a few potential sales. One of the vendors was an engraver I knew from Sketchbook Club, and she made a custom handmade shot glass for Mushroom World Comics during the event. It was a commission, and it was cool to see it come together right there at the table. I also had my tablet set up with the video showcase running, hoping it would help visitors stay at the table longer.

The event seemed to end just as it was getting started. After the last band finished, all of the vendors were looking around trying to figure out if the event was actually over. Once the city started removing the barricades, it was clear it was time to pack up. Hopefully next time we are allowed to stay longer, because at that hour it feels like the town is just starting to come alive.