The Art in the Park Show in Windsor was closed by the organizers on the second day. Humbled by nature's quest, no one cursed the storm. Everyone took it in stride in the aftermath that was apparent as the vendors helplessly looked through the park fence at their flooded booths. No one complained and they understood each other's torment in their eyes and sadness without showing it on their own faces.
It was an 'Act of God', as the insurance companies say. It was not the fault of the Organizers. They did their best to help the vendors to salvage whatever they could. No one could believe what happened overnight. A feeble but heartfelt 'good-bye, see you next year' was heard as we meandered through the park gates, after painstakingly loading up our van with whatever was worth taking back. Sadly though we had to leave behind our new tent.
What intrigued me most though, was the impassive and sustained disappointment that was noticeable on the faces of the vendors who seemed to have succumbed to their untimely seal of closure in acceptance of their fate. We vendors are a resilient lot in the face of difficulty. While a sudden lull and hush prevailed around the perimeter of park, at a time when everyone would have happily and enthusiastically been getting ready for a good show, their calm and composure in the face of adversity was admirable. That shows how patient we, vendors, are - many of whom travel long distances to get to the venue to set up on the eve of the show. They were adamant to remain positive and did not give up either because, they too said: " See you, next year".
Perhaps everyone had hoped that the second, and the last day of the Craft show, would have brought in some revenue for all of us, but I hope that the sales made on the first day have at least paid for the booth. The way we were hit was something I had never expected. I always think that somehow it invariably always rains on weekends, and this weekend was no exception. The 2-day show, which went went very well on the first day, was abruptly brought to a halt before the start of the second day. This was in sharp contrast to the nice time and dinner we had at Koolini's along with our friends the previous evening. What a calm and cool evening before the storm!
In accompanying my wife at her craft shows during the last seven years, I had never experienced a disaster or a shut-down of this nature, although we did escape from an apparent tornado touchdown at a show that we did in Cobourg in 2004. We had heard many co-vendors who related instances of similar bad weather conditions during outdoor venues, but this was our first experience.
There was nothing that could be done to go ahead with the show. The park had virtually turned into a lake, flooding the vendors tents, some of which had collapsed. The exhibitors were horrified to see the scale of water-logged booths. I hope the other artists and artisans have not lost or suffered damage to their artwork.
The overnight gusty winds and torrential continuous downpour of lashing rains within a span of two hours created great havoc throughout the park. Though we lost our tent, we were lucky that our products were not damaged. It could have been far worse. We thank God for sparing us from greater loss and distress than we suffered, and for getting us safely back home in Mississauga.
