Pop-up events are often a combination of the expected and the unexpected.
“I think people find them fun because it is fun to see different and interesting things happening,” says Nicole Dyble, the curator and creative director of Dryer Fire.
“For me, [pop-ups] are appealing because they can be put together with limited resources and risk.”
Limiting risk makes them particularly suited for the current uncertainty.
“It makes it much easier to pivot and adapt. What you have access to at the moment, or what your restrictions are, can be used as inspiration to put an event together or create structure to an idea for an event.”
Dyble also likes that pop-ups are an opportunity to prototype a concept or “try something new out.”
Sunday’s event will feature vendors selling vintage clothing, art, music, housewares, books and random goodies.
“It'll be like a multi-vendor, art sale and yard sale… I'll have a bunch of second-hand clothing, accessories and housewares there as Twice Removed and indie and second hand books, tapes and CDs for sale as Gore Street Tapes,” says Dyble.
“Shane Erickson [aka DJ Seith] will have some of his own music and some second hand vinyl for sale, artists Suzie Deplonty and Brenton Ellis will be selling original artwork …and Rainbow Klub and Koach Katrina will be hanging out for the day too.”
The bookmobile known as Samson Books will also be in attendance.
“[Samson Books] will be bringing a curated selection of second hand books.”
Food and beverages at the event are being provided by Dryer Fire’s partners Shabby Motley and Outspoken Brewing.
“The event is taking place in the parking lot behind OutSpoken, so we offered to set up a tent back there to serve some beer,” says Kaitlynn Cruickshank, events coordinator at OutSpoken.
“We will set up a seating area that will allow people to safely enjoy their refreshments at a six foot distance from one another.”
Outspoken’s patio will also be serving and Shabby Motley Handcraft will be open for food.
Dyble feels like now is the right time for an event like this.
“I thought it was a good time to hold this outdoor, responsibly-distanced event because most community events have understandably had to be cancelled this summer and the warm weather isn't going to be around much longer.”
Even so, safety remains top-of-mind for Dyble.
“With known COVID cases in the region having been at zero for weeks now, I felt that with certain precautions and a solid team of people, this event could be put on safely.”
In organizing this event, the number of vendors was intentionally limited.
“We'll all be spaced out and the event is going to be completely outside,” says Dyble.
“There will be limited seating that will be sanitized between uses. We'll have hand sanitizer at every vendor or station and responsible distancing will be encouraged.”
Although the line-up of participants is pretty much set, there might still be an opportunity for others to get involved.
“They would need to send me an email to dryerfiressm@gmail.com and let me know how they'd like to be involved,” says Dyble.
The Parking Lot Pop-Up will be the first Dryer Fire event of the summer.
“I've really missed attending and organizing events this summer and I know others have too.”
The Parking Lot Pop-Up is taking place on Sunday, Aug. 23 from noon until 4 p.m. in the King Street alley parking lot behind Outspoken Brewing at 356 Queen St. E.
The event is children friendly and everybody is welcome.
For more information, visit the Dryer Fire event page on Facebook.
