Hey Steve,
My son Zay is terminally ill. His life expectancy is 13-16 years old and he recently turned 10. Zay’s disorder is rare. About 100 children in America suffer from it. It’s called Niemann-Pick. Zay has type C.
The pressure is on to find doctors better acquainted with his disorder. We have found a group of doctors in Tampa to start with.
Ultimate plan? Sell my E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart, build a much bigger one and move to Florida where I can track down profitable fairs/festivals to hit up weekly throughout the year thus making a living and focusing on Zay’s health more.
Click for a larger image
Our plan is in motion. We are moving to Valrico in the winter and the remodeling of my current cart (to increase value) has begun. I am willing to travel all of Florida to set up on weekends. Just going to need to locate the most profitable fairs and/or festivals.
I plan on building a new E-Z Built cart that will serve 2,000 without a mercy run.
Was hoping I could get as many details about Florida’s fairs and festivals as I could from you and fellow slingers. Feel free to post this email or parts of it as a newsletter if you would like.
I have been doing some SERIOUS research on selling at fairs and festivals in Florida. With that being said, my most valuable info has always come from your site.
Once again, thank you for all you continue to do for us.
Scooby of Zay Zay’s Hot Dogs
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Hey Scoob,
First let me say that my prayers are with you, Zay, your family, and the doctors who will be treating Zay. You all show incredible courage under unimaginable circumstances.
You and I have been conversing via email for a while now and I had no idea all of this was going on in your personal life. You are always so upbeat, no one would imagine the stress that you must be under.
You are an inspiration, my friend.
I’m a Missouri slinger and I don’t know much about the Florida festival circuit but I bet we have some south-eastern doggers who can make recommendations or point you in the right direction.
Let’s hear you in the comments, slingers!
Let me know what else I can do to help you Scooby, and tell Zay that he looks like a natural born slinger!
-Steve
P.S. To learn more about Neiman-Pick and how it affects children like Zay, please visit Zay Zay’s Facebook by clicking here.
Keep in mind we have what is called the rainy season here in FL. In Thailand it is called the Monsoon season, try to go for at least two day festivals so you have a chance of breaking even when odds are it will rain one of the two days. Go for the cost line when possible, I mean within sight of the water, as this gives you the best chance of the rain starting in just past you.
Wow, good festivals are either fund raisers for non-profits, cause of most food posing and then you have to also pay for the health department and they don’t, or real estate renters and you can end up in festivals with 15 hot dog venders.
The really good festivals someone has to die or go out of business to get in.
My advice after four years in FL is to find a place and park it if possible. Often due to brick and mortar food places they pass laws to force you to move around keeping your customer base confused. So have two or three locations if possible.
If your heart is set on festivals my best advice is the I-4 corridor, The I-95 area the full length of the state, and starting in Tampa going south on the gulf coast. This is the area you want in. The rest keep in mind you can stay home for nothing and often come out ahead. Whatever they tell you a festival brings cut it in half and if a small festival one third.
Keep in mind for the really good festivals someone has to have died and you have to pay almost a year out with some. Don’t go by the deadline date. That is only for the venders that have not died and it is way out for the opening date.
If I may say one more time it is best to park it in the same location and build customers if possible.
You may also want to check with the University of Florida for your son being they are the flagship of medical in Florida. You also have my prayers for the whole family.
Good luck,
Wesley
Scooby. Prayers headed your way. Headed to Tampa area for the birth of our first grandchild next week. While we’re there I’ll see what I can find out for you. God’s speed my friend.
Check out www.festivalnet.com. You can search for festivals by state and the specific requirements you want. I personally have applied and worked for numerous festivals this way in illinois.
Prayers to your family, how devistating.
Scooby, here are a couple of links to help you out with your festivals> http://www.fairsandfestivals.net/ http://www.festivals.com here’s a link you need for your Son http://www.jdm.org And, finally a link to a personal favorite : Mark 11:24. My Prayers are with you. BobD
God bless you and your son. Prayers are with you.
Florida Fairs & Festivals is on computer, 30 day free trial, $39.97 for 6 months. I use it for Indiana, they have one for each state. Membership includes access to other states if you’re close to neighboring states. They have more listings and more up to date info than any other site I’ve tried. Good luck,
Papa Smurf
I just finished saying a prayer for you and yours . I am new to the business and I wish that I could help you with some information . Scooby , just out of curiosity , how much are you willing to sell your cart for ? I wonder if it would pass the inspection from Californias health dept . Before I go , I just wanted to let you know Steve , that I too , don’t mind if you post my last E-mail to anywhere you want to . Feedback is what I happen to be looking for at this time for my dilemma .
Hi Marie,
Scooby’s cart would have to be fitted with a four compartment sink and a small fridge to pass California code. We have many E-Z Builts running in California but Scooby’s probably isn’t big enough to house a dorm size fridge. Your best bet is to start your cart from scratch and build the cart body big enough for a fridge.
My prayers are with you and your amazing son.
Pick up a tourist brochure in your desired area outlining festivals. Apply online or email/call them so you are registered in time. Allot cash for entry fees and maybe choose ones your son might be able to attend so you are all enjoying yourselves. Website! Sounds like a must and don’t be shy about telling public why you are doing what you are doing tell public exactly why you are slinging in Florida it might just turn up the doctor you are seeking. Meanwhile I would consult the Mayo Clinic. Very best of luck to you all, Rich.
My prayers are with you and your family!!
Zay zay!
Want to tell you how much I love you in Jesus name,and how blessed I am to be able to lift you up in prayers! You’ve got a cool looking cart, and a cool name! What is Zay short for? Keep in touch Zay, my next hot dog is for you Zay,let me know chili, and cheese or what? God bless you Zay,and God speed! Gary Working
Aka as Gary the hot dog man!
Brother I will include him on my prayers and don’t forget that our Lord has the cure for everything all we have to do is rest all our pains and problems into his hands and he will provide. If we do it with faith he will do his part, remember it’s on his time. May the Lord bless Zay and fortify the entire family. AMEN.
I want Scooby to know that I just got off my knees talking to God about his dear son, Zay. You see I can truly empathize with him because I too am going through something with my 4 year old grandson.
We were just told four days ago that he has a brain tumor and needs emergency brain surgery. Worse, one of the scheduled surgeons unfortunately got shot and had to be rushed in to be operated on on Sunday, May 4, the very day she was scheduled to operate on my grandson, hence the postponement of his surgery.
Oh how we solicit the prayers of everyone, not only for Zay and my grandson, but for all the dear children out there facing various health crises.
God bless!
Beverly
Prayers of healing in the Name of JESUS for that lil man!! thanx for the chance to lift him to GOD 🙂
First I would like to say thank you to everyone.
You have given us some great info Wesley!
Thanks for being on the lookout Tim!
When it comes to the hot dog biz, I love to read. So Marci, thanks for the link!
You as well BobD and especially the scripture. Those are always the best instruction!
Thanks Ed!
Papa Smurf, I will be searching for the link you commented about. If you have it, could you please post it? Thanks for the info!
Marie, one thing I can say about Steve’s advice, there’s nothing like the experience and satisfaction of an EZ Built cart that you built yourself. On the other hand, if you are set on purchasing online, I am custom remodeling this cart. Its body size is 6ft X 5ft. There’s plenty of room for any states specifications, including CA requirements. Price is $5000. Thanks for asking!
Thank you Gardner pourcio!
Good info Rich. Thanks a bunch!
Thanks Bruce! All the prayers are graciously received!
Gary Working, Zay is short for Isaiah. Gabriel Isaiah Adkins. Zay’s favorite is just the wiener and some ketchup. And Thank you for the prayers!
Jesus Negron, thank you so much. Faith, a primary factor in anything that has a goal to be met. Thank you for your prayers!
Beverly, I have prayed and will continue to pray for your baby grandson. Also praying for the surgeons that will be working with you. May Christ’s hand guide them and His will be done. Thank you Beverly!
Hey Woody! We appreciate everyone’s prayers! Thank you so much!
Special thanks to you Steve for Everything as well!
My thoughts and prayers are with your son and family. Here is a suggestion that has worked for me try going to a local grocery chain,they are located in places where there are other stores people will always need something. You will always have a stream of customers.
My prayers are with you and your family. May you always have joy and peace with Jesus Christ.