The Bazaar: A Perfect Summer Fundraiser
An outdoor bazaar, under a tent, is an ideal solution for beating the summer doldrums,
getting involved in the community and throwing a summer fundraiser for your favorite
charity. Whether you are directly involved in a nonprofit organization, want to raise
awareness of a cause or need ways to contribute to a charity, use these tips (with
professional assistance from Hendersonville Tents) to make your bazaar a roaring
success.
The American adaptation of the bazaar resembles those in the Middle East where
vendors sell their wares in stalls along a street. Tents play a big role in these bazaars
because vendors don’t want to rely on the weather to earn their living. Tents also attract
crowds.
It’s for a Good Cause The Western version of a bazaar typically involves raising funds for a charitable cause.
According to Merriam Webster, a bazaar is “a fair for the sale of articles especially for
charitable purposes,” making it the perfect summer fundraiser for your group.
A summer fundraiser bazaar can follow a single theme (think magic, Fourth of July or
summer sports). It can also include a host of different tables set up by volunteers, local
merchants and supporting vendors that you invite to participate (think rummage sales
or flea markets).
Steps to Success While a summer fundraiser may attract visitors who provide funds for your cause, you
don’t have to lose your own cool to pull it off. Take the process step by step:
1. Find a location that suits your goals. Talk to the local elementary school that often has unused space in the summer, both indoors and outdoors. Local parks reserve spaces for little or no cost. A local merchant may be willing to host your bazaar in a parking lot
as part of a marketing campaign.
2. Choose a committee to help you plan your summer fundraiser. Appoint volunteers
to take care of specific issues, such as contacting vendors, promoting the event, selling
tickets and organizing set‐up/cleanup crews. If you haven’t developed a theme,
use the collective brainpower of your volunteer team to decide which direction to take.
3. Set the date. Check local community calendars to make sure you won’t have too
much competition during your summer fundraiser. Also consider other comparable
events you might tag onto, such as fireworks or ballgames.
4. Get commitments from vendors and volunteers to set up tables or booths at your
summer fundraiser bazaar. Ask for a percentage of sales if you are using outside
vendors. Find out what each booth will offer so you can set up complementary booths and leave space between competing vendors.
5. Order your tents. The more advance time you can give the party planners at
Hendersonville Tents Party and Event Rentals, the better chance you have of getting the
exact number and sizes of tents and tables you want. Bring your plan to the pros at
Hendersonville Tents; they can advise you on the best set up for your summer
fundraiser bazaar.
6. Market your summer fundraiser for at least two to three weeks in advance to build
momentum. When you work for a charity, you often can get free placement in local
papers, radio stations and television markets. Get flyers out and make announcements
through other community groups.
7. Set up the night before or early in the morning of the event. Charge admission to
earn additional funds. Sell raffle tickets for prizes you display at the entrance to the
bazaar. Smile, welcome guests and enjoy the fruits of your hard work.
Hendersonville Tents Party and Event Rentals is a family owned and operated business
providing tents, tables, chairs, dance floors, pipe and drapes, tableware, games,
specialty lighting, PA systems everything you need to host a memorable outdoor event. Whatever your needs, Hendersonville Tents has got you covered.
Keyword: summer fundraiser
