Art Fair Tents Part 2: Keeping Your Art Fair Tents EarthBound
In Part 1 of Art Fair Tents I discussed the two main types of tents. In Part 2 we’ll talk a bit about weight and stakes.
Art Fair Canopys are really just big hang gliders. The slightest wind and they will take off untethered.We actually use tractor weights which are big flat slabs of metal that weigh about 90# each. One per corner. If things seem really bad we may put one in the center of the tent and cross tie it. Barring the fact that you may not have a few tractor weights laying around the PVC things works well if done carefully. Also an artist friend of mine created Happi Feet weights for tents. Exact same premise as our tractor weights, the weight is on the ground on each leg.
The main thing to know about EZ-Ups is to NOT hang weight on them. I don’t care if you bought some super cool mesh walls that claim they work with EZ-Ups. Don’t do it. The tent can hold weight on a windless day, but if you get a stiff breeze the weight that normally hangs straight down begins to sway and pull. If you have enough weight or it’s windy enough this pulling will cause the corner brackets to break and occasionally the metal will tear where it’s bolted through. Once this happens it will collapse like the heap of pixie sticks that it is.
The same can be said of hanging weights from the tent to hold it earthbound. If you are going to hang weights (many people fill pvc pipe with concrete to make their own weights) you should strap it to the pole leg with velcro or something to keep the pulling thing from happening.
And Lastly a few random thoughts
Get 4-6 dog stakes (the cork screw king) straight stakes aren’t usually all that effective. The only time we use straight stakes is if it’s really windy and we already have all 6 dog stakes in.
Use Cambuckles instead of rope Rope stretches when wet. And this is probably one of those things that goes without saying (and yet I feel the need too because I’ve seen them used) never use bungee straps.
Use real weights. DON”T use water jugs, buckets filled with sand (or water), barbells or your artwork.
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