The biggest hassle each year is finding a no- or low-cost space for the Imagination Fair.

We've called the library, the community center, the recreation center, the city hall, the school, and the church. While suggestions are welcome, we are seeking is help with securing a space rather than more suggestions for possible spaces. We've found that a personal connection makes all the difference in turning a suggestion into a reservation.

In 2014, we had a beautiful space at Rasmussen College-Blaine Campus completely free of charge. Unfortunately, it was also just too small to accommodate all the children who wanted to participate.

For 2015, we rented the gymnasium at Cross of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church & School for the low price of $10/hour. We got that great rate because a member of the Church participated in the Imagination Fair, but Cross of Christ was unable to rent the gym to us for 2016.

For 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 we rented the sun-filled fellowship hall and choir room at Peace Lutheran Church for the low price of $50 for the day. We got that great rate because a member of the Church is a homeschool mom and supporter of the Imagination Fair.

For 2020, we are in the spacious Event Space at Fantasy Flight Games Center. They are cutting us an amazing deal in order to support the awesomeness that is this event!

Our target date for 2021 is Saturday, April 3, 2021. (In the beginning, organizers sought to schedule the Imagination Fair for the first weekend after Memorial Day, but for various reasons that target date needs to be changed.)

The Imagination Fair is seeking the following in a location for 2021:

1. No-cost or low cost ... any cost is pas sed on to participants, and we like to keep the participation fee as low as possible
2. Large enough for at least 40 but preferably 80 displays — which would mean a space that can accommodate 20 to 40 standard banquet tables, which are 30x96-inches (or 8-feet in length) plus walking space for mentors and guests.
3. Includes tables — 20 to 40 of those banquet tables or their equivalent, providing enough room for 40 to 80 displays. If tables are not included, table rental is going to raise the participation fee by about $5/child.
4. No carpeting is preferred — many of the kids have demonstrations, and we'd prefer to be able to allow those and just clean up any mess up with a broom and/or mop.
• We can ask the kids to bring a tarp or other floor protection, but a sweep & mop floor is easier and thus better.
5. A high ceiling, such as found in a gymnasium or auditorium, is preferred — the extra height really helps to control noise, making it much easier for mentors and exhibitors to hear each other.
6. Has ample and preferably free parking for our exhibitors, mentors and guests.
7. Available for a minimum of 4 hours, 5 hours would be better (that includes set up and clean up time) in the morning and early afternoon.
8. Welcomes everyone — the Imagination Fair is serious about inclusivity and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, familial status, marital status, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability or handicap, veteran status, economic status, religion, or homeschooling philosophy or style.

Obstacles to finding a free or affordable space:

• The Imagination Fair is an all-volunteer zero-profit endeavor, but it is not recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization.

Many places that otherwise offer no-cost or low-cost space will not do so for non-501(c)(3) organizations no matter how genuinely non-profit the organization may be.

• The Imagination Fair charges exhibitors a participation fee to help cover the costs of the Fair.

Many places that otherwise offer no-cost or low-cost space hear about that participation fee and want a "piece of the acton" for themselves — except there aren't any profits to share. (We are happy to share our losses, however!) This is not a "big money" event, costing about $10 per exhibitor. Total expenses for the 2017 Imagination Fair were about $387.91, while total income from exhibitor fees, Exhibit Catalog advertisements, and cash donations came to $348. Expenses are primarily printing costs for the Exhibit Catalog, Participation Certificates, Exhibit Bingo, Mentor Buttons, Name Badges, Thank You Cards, Signage, etc. but also include space rental, postage, website and domain registration. The organizer's goal is to keep her personal losses to less than $50 each year.