John,
As a 'first-timer" who has been to
LOTTSSSS of shows over 29 years I'll make a few comments.
First, It was nice to meet you and others I'd talked to online and never met. I enjoyed talking "guns" with you
The outside bonsai garden/display was absolutely stunning. I was so impressed with the layot and "neatness" and loved the multi-layered stroll type bonsai garden with walkways. REALLY NICE! It was refreshing to see the Arboretum seriously spent some time and bucks on it!
The club displays were nice and I liked the individual look with a difference in all displays. I kind of appreciated that. As with all shows, club or otherwise, there were stunning trees and not-so-stunning trees. This is normal and to be fully expected. My feelings have always been that if you are an active club member that you have the right to display a tree in your LOCAL shows. I do realize however that this was a group-type of show so some "preselection" was required by each club. All in all, I thought it was good. It is
NOT Kokufu and I'd not expect the trees to be as such. They were not selected from an entire country.
Politics....I dunno, I'm not local so I dunno
The vending area was very nice. A tad cramped with little or no space between booths on the lower floor but it was ok. Vendors stayed within their marked spots and this was very helpful ( and unusual
). I would be happy with the
exact same spot again. The vending fees were not the oft-seen rip-off charges with absolutely nothing in return. It was modestly priced and I am grateful for that. The builing and climate inside it was very nice. Not having been there before( when vending was adjacent to display) I don't know about sales, but, I heard no complaints about it, and certainly had none of my own! It was very nice to be supported by
most of the folks who had told me they were anxious to see my "stuff". I have a lot of pots, and a few trees, now living in north and south Carolina's
The only change I'd like to see is that
on show weekend the Arboretum would open display/vending area at 9AM Sunday as on Saturday. The noon-4pm opening seems a bit wastful of time during a very short show especially for vendors who are counting on sales and have to find something to do until noon. It is unpleasant for a vendor to see people hanging around outside a vendor area waiting for doors to open at noon.
BTW, I heard all the "Bible Belt" excuses, so I don't need those anymore!
All in all,
I liked it!
Dale