Customer

If you are wondering if there is enough people at these event . When you find a festival that you would like to participate in ask the Chamber of Commerce can they supply you with a number of people that come out to this event. Most of the time it will be posted on their wed page .However you can also find out if there is any other event in there area that cater to vendor at the functions. This is another avenue that you might want to explore.

Food Vendor

If you decide to become a food vendor the criteria is a little bit different . You will have to be inspected by Dehec and pass their inspection . They have a guide line that they go by for festival vendor . Also you will need liability ins. Please believe me there is money to made in food vending. There is a different fee for this type of vending from arts and crafts, novelty vending. Why I don't know. Please do the research before you decide to do any vending.

Arts and Crafts vendors

There are several arts and crafts festival that deal solely with home made goods only . The don't allow retail items at the festivals strictly home made craft . I recently attend a arts and craft show not knowing that it was for arts and craft only because when I went on line and found the festival the information didn't say arts and crafts only. I went but was never ask to return because my merchandise was retail not arts or craft. So be very careful when you choose you festival. Make sure you ask the right question such as can a commerical vendor participate in this festival.

This is a good business if you are interested in doing it

Many people are interested in becoming a festival vendor until they find out how time consuming it is . Some festival last as long as a week or longer. Did you know that the county fair consist of vendor just like you and me. The only thing different is you have to be committed from start to finish. Some county fairs last at least two weeks. You need a lot of employees to help you through this period ,it can be overwhelming. One need to think about the weather such as will I be able to tolerate the heat in the summer months and the cold in the winter months. Most festival are two to three days long from 9:00 AM until 12: PM that a long time for those who are just getting started so new beginner be prepared for the weather because it can get hot or cold at times.

Insurance

Most festival will ask for your Tax ID number and insurance coverage according to what type of vendor you are. You will need liability insurance. Food vendors are required to have this insurance their is no exceptions. Where to find insurance at your local insurance agency. The best way to get the best prices is to do the research. Before you go and purchase insurance make sure how much coverage you need to be covered. Arts and Crafts,novelty,nonprofit may or may not according to your location. I never had to have insurance at any festival and i have been doing this for ten years and going strong because i love it and it is very profitable.

Vendor application

Now after a lot of consideration and research you have decided this is for me. Their is another process you have to go through and that is finding where the festival are. I found out that you can call the Chamber of Commence in local or state office and they will give you a list of events in their area. Festival usually can be found in local ,city and state to state. If you decide to become a concert vendor
or participate in national events this is possible,however everything comes with a price.There is an application that need to fill out an approved first. A person can't just walk into a festival and claim a space. Most festival are set up on a first come first serve basis. When you become established the festival committees will send you an application each year. Now you have your foot in the door.

This come from personal experience after you you have been accepted as a vendor an emergency come up all you have to do is call the committee explained your situation and they will refund your money.Some festival will ask that you send a picture of your setup and the will ask are you arts and crafts,food, novelty vendor nonprofit or commerical vendor their are different prices for different vendor.

Where to find informination about festivals

People who are interested in becoming a festival vendor is not complicated,it can get confusing if you are just starting out. You have to decide whether you want to be a local vendor or do you you want to venture out .

When I first start it was just a whim . I never thought i be still in the business. I started in May 2000 I will never forget it .I was sitting at work a couple of co-worker was talking about their annual festival .I was invited to precipate . So Idecide to bring some of my merchandise from my store. The festival was Flopeye Fish Festival.They were looking for vendor so i became a vendor .After the money money i made form that event I was hooked.

This was my first event there was still a lot to learn about the business. Still not knowing where to find other festival I hade to start searching for festival in my area not knowing that festival was every where. I started visiting different towms talking to other vendors just to learn more about the business. I found the best resource is word of mouth.