hammerforged Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 I was planning on displaying and selling at the Bowling Green, Virginia Harvest Festival October 17th. Just heard from the Town Council that they will not allow me to do so. Their reasoning is that I make and sell "weapons" and thus promote a hazard to the people attending the festival. In all the years I have been doing this I have never run across this type of narrow-mindedness. I knew it was out there but I had never come across it. I have been working my butt off to get knives ready for this event. this is a huge event in Northern Virginia, it is a one day event and they average 18,000 people through there in the one day. Oh well, live and learn I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrow32 Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Sorry to hear that you aren't able to go because someone things you have weapons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 That's no good. I've always thought of a good quality knife as more of a tool than a weapon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bowhunter56 Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Then they better post warnings or tell folks, that wal-mart sells knives and cutterly hazardous to people.. This country is going down hill more and more every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfletch7441 Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 WOW, that's incredible! Some folks just don't get it. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion_70 Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 I think I would actually have to attend a town council and fight that. Usually at those events there are all kinds of people there selling items that could be considered weapons... That's narrow minded to say the least Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alisha Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 If that's the case, are they going to check people for pocket knives and other "weapons" at the entrance gate? Some people make me wonder...... *shakes head* :hammer1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Go to the festival and take pictures of anything that could be a weapon. Many craft shows will have those displays of what I call "cheap Japanese junk". I bet you will find someone selling cheap lock back knives. Then take the pics to the next town council meeting. Show them the awards & acculations you have won. Show them that your knives are works of art and not weapons. If they don't listen to you then maybe they will listen to your lawyer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 That really stinks I really hate to hear this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 ...it is a one day event and they average 18,000 people through there in the one day. So that means there will be several thousand far more dangerous "weapons" parked in the parking lot. What a bunch of pinheads! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 So that means there will be several thousand far more dangerous "weapons" parked in the parking lot. What a bunch of pinheads! Couldn't have said it better .. SORRY to hear this Ross, alot of good folks are going to miss out on your talent and pieces of great craftsmanship .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 WOW that is crazy! Do you have a way to create a book show casing your knives....Then have people order the knives.....I know a picture will not do your knives justice of the true beauty and work but that might help you still get some business...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 So that means there will be several thousand far more dangerous "weapons" parked in the parking lot. What a bunch of pinheads! Good point.........I suppose they are selling beer at this event and then everyone drives home. I would venture to say that the odds are better that someone drives away from there drunk than someone stabbing another person with one of your knives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Could you not have a picture display of some of your work and hand out business cards??? Maybe the powers that be would go for that instead??? Just trying to think of a way around it and still get to the potential customers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerforged Posted September 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 There is an entry fee for a booth of any type. They charge $80.00 for a 10' by 10' booth. Which is the smallest booth they allow. The only solution they have offered me is to "allow" me to set up a small card table (3' by 18") a couple of streets over from the main display area in the local Gunsmith's shop and I would have to provide "signage" to direct people to where I would be set up. They still want their $80.00 fee even though I would not be allowed to set up a 10' by 10' booth in the main display area. I spoke with the owner of the shop and if I were to set up in his shop I would be blocking access for his clientele. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 You could just walk the crowd handing out cards for free;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerforged Posted September 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 I intend to have plenty of cards and brochures with me just for that. It has been my experience that most people who attend events like this are impulse buyers and if they can't take it with them, then they don't think about it again. I shall remain hopeful however that I will get some interest and some orders. I am thinking about "brown bagging" although I don't really approve of that type of behavior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Have a nice t-shirt printed up with some pictures of your work on it and of course your number! You could wear a sandwich board and nothing but a pair of shorts...ROTFLMBO Probably would go over good with the promoters too...LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Lot of shows around here the smaller venders will set up a small table with a bunch of their building materials on display. Back that up with a photo album of finished products, ...a little 13" television/dvd combo with one of your disks rolling on the fabrication process that points out the advantages of a custom knife over a store bought, and a stack of bussiness cards along with a book of refferences. If they will not let you market your product, you can always promote your innovation and artisticness put into all your creations backed with your quality construction materials and word of mouth from satisfied customers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerLily Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Some people are way to narrow minded. Power to the people!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 What a load of crap! That ticks me off, and I'm not even affected! I'd write a letter to the editorial section of the paper to let the folks know what a bunch of idiots they got on the committee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesse8953 Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 What a load of crap! That ticks me off, and I'm not even affected! I'd write a letter to the editorial section of the paper to let the folks know what a bunch of idiots they got on the committee! Well said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 It sounds like they have too many bleeding heart Liberals on city council, Ross. That's a cryin shame my friend. I hope the Lord will open a bigger door for you elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 That does bite Ross, and I would be just as twisted as you are. I agree that knives are tools, not weapons. A frying pan can be construed as a weapon...sheesh. What small minds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 That's no good. I've always thought of a good quality knife as more of a tool than a weapon. I heard that! Not to mention, how many criminals are going to spend good money on a good quality knife only to use it for a crime? Wouldnt it be cheaper to buy a butcher knife from walmart for that purpose? So much for reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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