Unexpectedly I am off to FoQ on Saturday. There was too much uncertainty this year to buy a ticket and so I wasn't going to bother going, but then I won one in a giveaway last week and have decided to take the plunge and venture out.
I'd noticed on social media that some of the usual exhibitors were posting that they were not going so I took a closer look at the exhibitor list for this year. There are about 120 exhibitors listed on the FoQ website which is less than half of the number of previous years. "Big names" (and stands) that are not listed for this year include Barnyarns, Doughtys, Empress Mills, Kaleidoscope Books, New Threads, and Lady Sew and Sew. Looking at some of the set up photos that people have posted, the aisles between the stands do seem to be a lot wider so that should be better.
I wonder if the number of quilts submitted has been similarly affected, though perhaps people have had plenty of time to sew during lockdowns. However, I get the impression that ticket sales are lower than previous years and maybe people won't submit a quilt if they are not going to visit to see it displayed.
Perhaps those going today or Friday can give an early report of how things are for any of us visiting at the weekend.