Summer fete banners
A fete is won or lost on the weather and on who knew about it. You cannot do much about the first, but one good banner goes a long way on the second.
Three jobs, in order of importance.
Committees often order lots of small signs and one weak banner. Reverse that. Spend first on the piece that brings people through the gate.
Job one: the road banner
This goes up weeks ahead on the school fence, the village green railings or a friendly farmer's gate. It only has to say four things: what, when, where and maybe the time. "Summer Fete. Saturday 20 June. 12 to 4. The Green" is all anyone driving by can take in. Choose two colours that contrast hard, and make the letters big.
Get the landowner's agreement before it goes up. If it is near a road, your parish or local council can tell you what is allowed. For fixing to bars, see railing banners.
Job two: the gate on the day
Visitors arrive unsure of the entry price and the location of the parking. A simple sign at the entrance answers those, and a second one can give the timetable: raffle draw, dog show, tug of war. A sign on Corex can be cable-tied to a fence or a gazebo leg.
Job three: stall signs
Tombola, cakes, plants, teas. These can be reused, so do not print a year on them. Corex prices below are for mounting, with the print charged on top, and discounts are available on quantity if you want a full set. A1 is much bigger than most people expect, while A2 is about right for a stall top. Add a hole punched in the top corners for string, if the board allows it.
| Item | A2 | A1 | A0 | 60in x 40in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PVC banner print | £15 | £20 | £30 | £45 |
| Corex mounting | £6 | £10 | £20 | £30 |
Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.
Fields are harder than you think
- Wind. A banner on an open fence acts like a sail. Tie every eyelet, top and bottom, and do not leave corners loose. See banner eyelet spacing.
- Wet grass. Keep boards off the ground, as mud is hard to shift from the bottom edge.
- Volunteers. Bring spare cable ties, scissors and string in a labelled box, as these always vanish.
- Drivers. Keep the road banner well back from junctions and gateways, so it never blocks anyone's view of traffic.
Next year's committee will thank you
Make the design date-proof. Keep a blank box on the road banner for a Corex date panel tied over the top, or stick on a date in cut vinyl. Before you pack up, wipe everything down, and let it dry fully. Rolling a wet banner invites mould, and it may stick to itself by next June. Label the tube and tell someone where it is, since a banner stored in one volunteer's loft has a habit of going missing when they move on. School banners and signs has ideas for PTAs, too.
Banners, seen from a distance.
Your questions.
How big should a fete banner be?
For a road, go as big as your fence and budget allow. As a rough guide, 60in x 40in gives you letters big enough for passing drivers if the wording is short.
Can local businesses sponsor the banner?
Yes, and it is a common way to cover the cost. Keep their logos in a strip along the bottom, so the event details stay the biggest thing.
Will PVC survive in the rain?
PVC is a good outdoor material, and rain alone should not trouble it. Fixings and wind are usually what cause problems, so tie it well.