Artistry in Wood 2014 Part 2

After dessert I walked from the Pike Place Market area to the light rail station and caught a train to SeaTac airport and booked into a nearby hotel.

Chocolate Brownie

It was to early in the morning but I was up at 3 to get to the airport for 4  and the usual routine of checking bags getting a boarding pass and clearing security to wait for a plain for about an hour or so.The flight was bumpy and the landing in Chicago O'Hare was not the smoothest but we all got off the plane without help. A walk to the next gate and the connecting flight to Dayton. We were a little delayed but only by a few minutes as the plane was not quite ready. The weather was fine on this stretch and we arrived on time. I picked up a rental car and drove to my friends house for a social evening and a good sleep prior to my first day of helping with the show.

Dayton area sunrise

The sun rose and we were at the Expo centre by 9 AM to help wherever we could as there were still many things to be done. Preparations had been ongoing since Wednesday with help from the Dayton Carvers Guild and the Western Ohio Woodworkers (WOW).

Exhibitor Packages ready for pickup on Friday morning 

A view of the Bid table and the many booths ready to be occupied

Club Members work to prepare the Entry area table

A view towards the Raffle and Club tables 

We worked all day with a break for lunch and we never got out of the hall till around 8 PM but it was ready for the crowd at 10 AM in the morning. The judges had all the carvings in the judging area and  would work till about 1 AM in the morning before they went home. They were up for breakfast at 6 AM and the Photographer was already busy taking pictures of all the carvings and would not finish until just before the start of the show.

Most of the exhibitors start arriving in the afternoon on Friday and club members man the overhead doors and patrol the Expo centre to help with problems and make sure that all the exhibitors have the correct  number of tables and chairs and get into the right location. Some even get a hand with their  booth set up by generous club members. The Vendors who have a good deal more floor space and items for sale usually are the first to arrive and have a few helpers and friends that help them get their heavy loads in and set-up  for the Early start on Saturday morning.

 Many of the club members go home tired on Friday night and have to recharge for an early start the next two days. I know that when I left Dayton after this years show I was very tired as the work is physically demanding over a long stretch. It is rewarding in the life of club members. Many great friendships start and revolve around the show and club life. There are no nicer people than carvers.