Art Fair!

The Ann Arbor art fair started today! It's an awesome street fair of art/fine art/jewelry/pottery/crafts/ceramics/glass blowing/woodworking, etc. It takes over the whole town and though I can't afford most things there, I love walking around, people watching, and finding unique gifts. It is humid and 90 degrees all this week, and so many people come to this art fair that it's crowded, hard to park, and quite tricky to maneuver with a stroller. Avery and I went today and it was so pleasant and fun that I thought I'd give some tips for attending the Ann Arbor Art Fairs with a one year old on a very hot day:

1. Slather your poor child in sunscreen.

2. Dress her in a super cute outfit and matching hat so everyone wants to make friends with you instead of thinking you're crazy and in the way.

3. Leave home before it even opens to take advantage of the cooler, slightly less crowded time of the day.

4. Take the shuttle. For $1, Avery and I rode into downtown and it was Avery's favorite part of the day by far. She was pointing at everything in the bus and making tons of friends. I think she was just thrilled to be not in a carseat and it saved me from having to find a parking spot.


5. Bring a stroller but bring the smallest stroller you own. You would not believe the people there that had a stroller the size of a pontoon boat. It was hard enough to push this little umbrella stroller around all the people walking slowly and half looking at art in a booth across the way.

6. Bring only toys that strap or hook directly to your child or the stroller. Avery's ipod was linked on and her paci was attached so there was no risk of losing either of these precious possessions. This provided quite a bit of entertainment and soothing. Can you see everything attached?
7. Don't loiter around and look at booths where you can't afford the paintings or they only sell creepy human face sculptures. Get going, especially when your wonderful child falls asleep in the stroller.

8. A snack trap is key. Avery had her Cheerios in her "snack trap." This allows her to carry her own snack and eat at will without giving her a bag or bowl of cheerios that will immediately be dumped onto the ground. However, it doesn't trap them in perfectly. Most of the cheerios end up in her lap, and in fact, this was a great tool here at the art fair. I didn't even need a map- we just followed her cheerio trail back to the shuttle.

9. Don't plan on making it an all day adventure. I was perfectly expecting to leave after 30 minutes if she got too hot/tired, and even though she was a perfect angel, we were home eating lunch by 11:45. (It opened at 10) We totally made it to all the parts I like to go to and made several purchases. Plus, we'll go back again later this week when Mom comes to town. Here's a pic of Avery in the middle of the action:
10. Finally, and most importantly, end your trip with a snow cone! Like mother, like daughter =)