The craft association I'm a member of sent me an email today to say that one of the Highland Games(Stirling) had been cancelled due to lack of sponsorship. A further 2 had been cancelled due to lack of interest from the crafters and another Highland Games (Loch Lomond) is looking unlikely due to the high charges for tent hire and lack of support.
These are all fairs in June & July, not a good start to the year!

I wonder whether crafters are hesitant to book fairs due to the economic situation? It can be a bit of a gamble.
So now I need to go searching for other fairs to do, possibly farther afield

I am hoping that this current climate would change for the better very very soon.

Have you tried http://www.stallfinder.com/

Im really sorry to hear that Corrie, if theres one near me you are always welcome to stop over.

On another note why dont th crafters who would normally go to fairs like the Loch Lomond one get together and each write a letter expressing their interest but stating due to present economic climate their fees are prohibitive and rather than cancel it would they reduce fees and then take a percentage of profits once a certain threshold has been crossed. Keeps the fair going by having the tents so encouraging people in but also gives them incentive to keep it going.

Just a thought (and I know I do have rather odd ones at times, but nothing ventured nothing gained)

There's a monthly one down in Troon - seem to be plenty in Lothian but mostly too far.

I haven't looked at stallfinder for a while, must do that Akua, thanks
Michelle, that's a good suggestion. This being my first year in the association I'm not at all impressed by these cancellations. They don't seem to do very much to try to boost the numbers of attendees, just wait for the cheques to come in. I have nothing to lose and have put my 2p worth in several times already to what I deem stupid rules, so nothing ventured nothing gained!

Jus make sure you whip the others up to do it with you, en masse has greater affect also wouldnt want you to do it on your own and get 'a name'

Oooh Im a rabble rouser now lol

Can you sort of stretch a point and become part of Lorn?

http://www.lorn.org.uk/marketposter.html

Jill - who has Kintaline plants and poultry and hosts the mart has said in the farming newsgroup that it's going really well.

If these other places are continuing then that association you're in should buck up its ideas.

Thanks for that link EJ, I may need to look at straying up north

Rotten luck C.  I'm sure something else will come up - I keep reading that in hard times, people go back to handmade/handcrafted etc, so fingers crossed.