Big 2010 Plans: Flea Market and a Comic Show
FAN MAIL FROM A FLOUNDER!
Any ol’ “Rocky & Bullwinkle Show” fans out there? Great show for kids of all ages!! Anyway, now that I have your attention (hopefully)…
Recently the whole crew at Captain Blue Hen sat down and mapped out our schemes, er…plans for the coming year! Very little blood was spilled as we ripped each others’ ideas apart. Feeling that I had to contribute something, I proposed a couple of ideas, and darn it, wouldn’t ya know, they said for me to run with them! @#$^%*&!
So, here I am pleading with you for ideas, suggestions, and/or criticisms. I’ve been put in charge of organizing another 4th of July Flea Market and putting together the first Captain Blue Hen Comics “Show” since 2001.
For those who missed last year’s 4th of July Flea Market, we sort of put it together quickly, but weather was with us and it went off fairly well. We did it in our front parking lot because all of the other shops were going to be closed that day. This year, it is a Sunday. We figured that not 
EVERYONE goes to the beach that day, and we could have it end early enough for those involved to still have their picnics or parties up here. A rental “space” consisted of two (2) adjacent parking spaces in the lot in front of us and the Co-op. For ease of loading and unloading, plus to reduce vehicles in the “circle”, every renter was to park his/her car in one of those two spots. Naturally, one could use the car or truck to sell out of, also. The rental fee was $10 for CBH members and $15 for non-members. In the event of inclement weather, there was to be NO rain date, and that fee would be refunded in the form of store credit. What may you bring? It will be advertised as a flea market that specializes in “collectibles”, but anything is welcome and we will try to mention your particular items in our ads.
We have more time, so HOW CAN WE MAKE THE FLEA MARKET BETTER? I am not thin-skinned, so let’s hear it!
Speaking of time, I picture a show during September. This should give us some clearance from other conventions according to what I see listed in the trades. It will be indoors, but it will NOT be at the Aetna Fire Hall. We don’t want to step on the toes of the promoter of that show or have any 
confusion with it. I want his is be basically a COMIC BOOK SHOW, with some other items – toys, cards,etc., – but , again, basically a COMIC BOOK SHOW!
So where should we hold the SHOW? Anyone have an “in’ with a hall? Preferably, it should be easy to find to attract some distant collectors. I will be checking into spots, but wouldn’t mind your advice or help. Nur Temple? Room right off I 95 on 896? What is a reasonable admittance fee?
How important are guests? I would really like your input on this one. Unless it was a BIG name guest (translates into $$$), I’m not convinced that it creates a bigger turn-out. Am I wrong? Let us know.
I am also thinking of perhaps having an auction in conjunction with the show. maybe let each table renter put an item or two per table rented into it for no fee, with non-renters paying a commission. We would allow a minimum opening bid. Should it be silent or live? Just throwing stuff out there.
Feel free to comment on this blog or tell me in person. Also, I plan on putting out a questionnaire in the shop shortly.
Thanks, Paul
I loved the Flea Market last year, and I plan on getting a spot this year to try and sell some comics, old toys, etc.
Back in Michigan, there was a small comic convention that happened every 6 months called Xtrava Con. It was one room in a KC hall. No guests, just comics, toys, and some cards. Entrance was $2 or $5 (I can’t remember), so it was super cheap. Mostly people sold $1, $0.50 or even $0.25 comics because exhibit space was so cheap. I always used that as a perfect opportunity to fill my want list and get stuff I never knew existed. I think that type/size of convention is missing around here. They also had a door prize every hour. Usually a TP or something like that.
I think that 3-5 bucks is more than reasonable. For guests…it doesn’t matter at all..I go to cons for guests and I go to comic shows for comics and toys. It would be very cool to have a CBH comic show again..the ACME shows were always fun.
Paul what is your schedule now at the shop. I would love to talk to you about some ideas for a show. I am guessing you are talking about something along the line like what use to be a comic show at the Aetna Fire Hall when there were a couple creators and a lot of vendors.
Auctions are awesome! Maybe if we can get a couple of creators and they can do some sketches to auction off and the idea of allowing a vendor to sell a item included in their table fee is great idea also.
Paul, have you thought of Clayton Hall @ UD as a venue for the show? Don’t know how much the main exhibit hall would be or if the rate is reasonable.
http://www.udel.edu/conf/clayton.htm
http://meetingestimator.com/udclayton/calculator
I think that door prizes are a great idea!! TP’s are awesome as well as some other misc things (comic bricks, inexpensives toys, etc.).
I know the Aetna fire hall is a little small, what about Cranston Heights in prices corner? Wanna keep it local or does it matter?
Hi! Cool idea. Do you think anyone could do this? Is there anything else you think I should know? Any other rules?