The Munson Heritage Festival is to be held on October 13th and 14th. That is a Saturday and Sunday event. I have 3 weeks in which to get ready. I have to clean jars and bottle 3 kinds of honey in 4 sizes. I have Wildflower, Gallberry, and Tupelo honey, and 12 oz. bears, 1 lb. bees, 1 1/2 lbs. pint jars, and 3 lbs. quart jars. I will also need my 10′ x10′ canopy and tables with tablecloths.

I usually take an observation hive with me so the visitors can see what makes the honey that they love to eat. When selling your honey at a festival, you need to be able to show and tell, and the observation hive is all of that. Try to mark the queen in a bright color so the people can easily find her.

The canopy (tent) and the tables need to be set up so the display is pleasing and appealing to the eye. It also needs to blend in with the season fairly well. Such as Fall, Thanksgiving, and pumpkins. Use the colors - red, orange, and brown. This setup is because of the October date.

Christmas colors would be red, green, blue, and white with decorations of Christmas themes, ie: small Christmas tree, ornaments, flashing lights, and maybe a present or two under the tree. The idea is to really get into the spirit of the times by blending in with the season.

The tablecloths need to be long enough on the sides and ends so that you can store extra cartons of honey under them and not be seen from the customers’ side. The cash box needs to be placed behind the table within easy reach of the workers but far enough back that the customers cannot reach it.

Chairs for the workers and maybe a visitor or two are essential. There will be times that you will not have anyone at your booth and you should sit when you can. Sometimes you are on your feet for several hours at a time just talking and when you get a chance, you need to sit.

Now that I have said all of that, I will bid you adieu so I can get to work rounding up all my festival equipment and get to bottling.