More testing on site - sandbags etc.

Did some more on-site testing just a few hours before the second event. This time we focused on the sandbags. We had planned to test out the projectors as well, but the unstable weather got the better of us.

We also tested out the tensioning on the pole, because we found the top to rotate in the wind. With tight enough tension, there would be minimal movement in the top's rotation.

This is what one stand looks like. We're liking the effect at the moment, as they don't restrict the movements of the umbrellas too much, but it's enough to stop them flipping up and everything. The only thing that's a bit of a problem is that they can emphasise the lean of the middle pole so we really have to keep it directly upright.

You could say the weather was appropriate for testing, with the wind and the rain, to prepare us for a bad event night. At the moment it seems the sandbags are doing a rather good job. Below is a video that shows the contrasting impact of the wind on the umbrellas secured by sandbags, and those that are not. Ignore the talking...just mute the video.

Side note: quite a few passer-bys that afternoon remarked on the umbrellas looking as if they were floating... We had never thought of, or intended producing that effect, but it's not a bad response. Perhaps it has some link between white lines and helium balloons held down by string??