u/Yokochowfun

I did Citywide 6 this weekend and while I was fighting for my life in the back half, I placed *Decently*, and had way more fun than riding a century. I'm also funderemployed (applying for jobs between uber eats) and thought to myself, maybe I could pull this shit off on the regular. Anyone know who's hiring? where to even start?

There's a popular multi-use venue in my city where I've done two events with a particular host before, and I'm considering applying with a different host, but the math is not mathing:

Prior Host

• 8' table space 3 weeks before christmas 2024 and 2025, 10-a-5p (7 hours) was $140 both years.
• They had a 50k+ Instagram following, and unknown additional reach through their newsletter and print ads distributed through their brick and mortar location as well as provided to vendors to distribute.

Different Host:

• asking price is $210 for a 6x6' space, 11-a-5p (6 hours) end of September '26.
• 10k followers spread between event account and promoter's personal accounts. I've only seen a handful of their posters around town on poles and such.
• at their prior events they've had a 'suggested entry fee' which they've promoted as proceeds going to a local nonprofit.

On it's face, it just seems like more for less to me. But the Host does not provide any info other than what I've been able to scrounge up here. Would you inquire directly to them to see what they're offering ? I've also tried post in some local vending facebook groups but the mods are asleep behind the wheel.

Also, do you have a hard and fast limit to what you'll pay for space? a formula or calculator? I've just been FAFO-ing since I started vending but would like to take more measured risks going forward.

My primary offerings this year will be handknit socks and cold-weather accessories like scarves, and I've had summer extracurriculars, so historically I've limited my event calendar to September-February. Am I thinking too narrowly? What dates have you picked if you have a limited 'use case' for your products?