> I see a lot of the pop up canopies in the photos. Any recommendations for
the best models? I've seen these alot at the art and wine festivals.
>
although I didn't make it to CalStar, I've got a 10x10 InstaShade thats been
quite rugged, has made it to about a dozen Strawberry Music Festivals, and
numerous other events. Its frame is square and rectangular section steel
(some of the others are softer aluminum), the top is waterproof*, and its
survived some howling storms in the sierras.
I just visited Fiskar's corporate website, it seems they no longer make
these, instead they have a bunch of cheap garden canopies under the brand
"Cool In The Shade", ah well.
The other commercial grade brands I see regularly are "EZ-UP" and "Caravan".
Both can be found at places like Outdoor World, Costco, etc. Careful with
Costco packages, sometimes they come with a cheaper top material thats not
waterproofed at all, and is only suitable as a sun shade. Mine is white
nylon fabric with a rubberized inner layer.
-jrp
* I did have to use seam sealer on the stitching, however, to make it truly
waterproof after one real drencher a few years ago.