Getting Started
Decide exactly the type of event you are going to organise, setting out your aims and objectives. Get together a small efficient team as a committee, making sure each person has a specific task. Be sure to give yourself enough time to get everything done.

 Where And When?
Check with the council that there are no other events that clash with your chosen date. Grassy areas are best for fetes. For a bazaar, disco or quiz night a school or church hall should do the trick.

 It Pays To Advertise
Getting people to your event is just as important as organising a perfect and fun day. Do a mail-out to parents, as this could get some extra help as well as creating an initial buzz around the community. Put up posters around your neighbourhood and place an ad in the local newspaper two weeks before the event. If there’s anything newsworthy like a celebrity or mayor coming, make sure the newspaper knows about it.

 Weather Washout
If you are planning an outside event try to make an alternative indoor venue available in case of rain. If that’s not possible you could get a one-day policy from an insurance broker.

 Variety Is The Spice
Now you’ve got people, you want them to stay... and spend! There should be enough different attractions to suit everyone and keep them entertained. Sideshows, games, tombolas, jewellery stalls, bring and buy, cake stalls are all sure-fire hits. For bigger events a bouncy castle or beer tent could be considered.

 Orderly Ordering
Try to put a figure on how many people you expect and plan accordingly.
For 500 people or less go for 1-2 tombolas and a couple of sideshows. For more people you’ll need 2 or more tombolas and a greater variety of sideshows and stalls. Make sure to order everything you need in time, and check your goods when they arrive.

 FUN-draising
People running stalls should get a party type of atmosphere going, encouraging people to have a go. As the organiser you should try to inspire them to put the fun in fundraising.

 Last Minute Meeting
Get everyone involved together the night before the big day. Make sure they know exactly what to do. Talk about the layout. You may want to put the crowd pleasers at the entrance to attract passers by and get people on the way out, and keep stalls together so they go from one to the next. Perhaps get a volunteer to D.J. or put up bunting around the site. Remember to check all details including your equipment.

 The Main Event
People should arrive early to set up stalls and decorate them properly. Display can make all the difference between a successful stall and an empty one. Volunteers should have enough pins, paper, pens and sticky tape. Bunting and crepe paper are other good ideas. Organise a cash float for each stall, and enough rubbish bags for the end of the day. If there are any goods left over reduce prices or keep them for another event.

 Well Done!
When it’s all over hold a party to say thanks to your volunteers, a cheese and wine evening is always nice. Thanking people is a good thing to do and makes them want to help next time too.