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Downtown Merchant Application 2024

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Deadline: Sep 13, 2024 11:59 pm (GMT-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
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NC Whirligig Festival 2024
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Date: Nov 02, 2024 10:00 am - Nov 03, 2024 5:00 pm (EDT)
place
Wilson, North Carolina
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$45 - $450

About the event

The 20th year of the annual North Carolina Whirligig Festival will be held on Saturday & Sunday, November 2 & 3, 2024. The event started as a way to celebrate what was unique to Wilson, NC - the innovative and whimsical folk art whirligigs created by Vollis Simpson. At the heart of the festival is a park containing 30 of his original giant metal structures that spin in the wind. The festival is the largest event in Wilson, 8 blocks of fun, that includes home-made arts and crafts, food vendors, non-profit agencies and sponsors. Entertainment is provided on several stages with live music, a free kids zone, a kids performance stage, strolling artists and art demonstrations. The NC Whirligig Festival averages about 55,000+ visitors attend over the 2-day festival weekend in historic downtown Wilson. The festival is run by a group of dedicated volunteers and is held each year the first full weekend in November.
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Test by Theresa
Contact Organizer
Test by Theresa
Test by Theresa
Contact Organizer

About the application

Welcome to the North Carolina Whirligig Festival! Browse through of application and let us know if you have any questions.
 
The Wilson Downtown Merchants are encouraged, welcomed and desired to participate in the Whirligig Festival. Merchants can set up a display, sidewalk sale or create an attractive display to draw in customers. The NC Whirligig Festival is the largest annual event in Wilson. Businesses that embrace opportunities to invite customers into their stores will seen an increase in revenue during the festival weekend and beyond. 
 
Wilson Businesss around town are also encouraged to participate in the largest community event in Wilson. Apply to be a Commercial Vendor or consider becoming a Sponsor to increase your return on investment. 
 
Fees: $25 Application fee + Booth Fee
All vendors pay the same application fee, charged immediatley. Booth fees vary depending on category and acitvity, and are charged after approval. 
 
We have 4 downtown merchant categories: 
 
1. Store Open Listing only - (no application) - this is for the merchants that will have their business open during the festival, but are not interested in a booth or outdoor display.  The business operator will need to contact the Downtown Development Office to provide your name to be included in their promotions during the festival. The festival will include the Downtown Merchant Association campaign as part of the festival PR. Keep in mind, this category does not guarantee the space in front of your store will remain unassigned to another vendor.

2. Downtown Merchant Booth - ($50 booth fee) - reserved for businesses within the designated festival zone. This means that the street in front of your store is closed, barricaded from traffic flow and festival activities are established on your street. This category assures you a booth space in front of your store will be open and that no other vendor will be set up in front of your store. Note: Booth spaces are 15 ft wide. The measurements start at the corner intersection. Your booth space may not be directly at your store's front door, but will be in front of your store. 
 
 3. Downtown Perimeter Booth - ($100 booth fee) - available for businesses within the 1 block perimeter of the festival zone. In the perimeter, the traffic flow may be affected, but is not blocked. You may have lots of festival attendees walking by your store coming and going to the festival. We offer a discounted booth rate to have a single booth space within the festival zone. 
 
4. Downtown MSD Merchant Booth -  ($425 fee) - available for businesses in the downtown area that pay the additional MSD taxes. We invite all downtown businesses to participate in the festival. This is 50% off the regular Commercial booth fee of $850.

Note: Any downtown restaurant that would like to have a food selling booth on the street/sidewalk/curb within the festival zone must apply under the Food Vendor category.  Downtown food vendors and restaurants within the festival zone receive a 50% discount.
 
Applications for 2024 are electronic only - no paper needed. 
 
This is an electronic agreement and by applying for the booth, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically. By submitting the application you are confirming that you have read the NCWF Vendor policies and agree to abide by them as stated in the guidelines below. 
 
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Terms & Conditions

Refer to the NC Whirligig Festival Vendor Policies and Guidelines.
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Related files

NCWF Electrical Outlet diagram
NCWF General Vendor Guidelines

Prices

Downtown Merchant Application fee $25 Non-refundable There is a $25 non-refundable application fee which is charged upon application.
Downtown Merchant Booth - Within the festival Zone $50 Non-refundable This selection is reserved for the Downtown Merchants located within the festival zone only. This assures you the space in front of your store will be open with no vendor assigned. The space is for you to set up a display and promote your business. We advise that you do not leave it empty, as it will simply appear as if a vendor is missing. Single booth space is 15 feet wide and 10 feet deep. This is for the use of a 10x10 ft tent. The extra space on the left and right are to provide storage between vendors. Your tent may not extend beyond 10 feet deep - this is set by fire code standards. If you need a wider booth, you may purchase a double or triple space as they are available.
Downtown Perimeter Booth $100 Non-refundable This selection is available for Downtown Merchants located within 1 block of the festival zone. Typically, traffic is not blocked to your store location, but is affected. This category provides a single booth space within the festival zone. The single booth space is 15 feet wide and 10 feet deep. This is for the use of a 10x10 ft tent. The extra space on the left and right are to provide storage between vendors. Your tent may not extend beyond 10 feet deep - this is set by fire code standards. If you need a wider booth, you may purchase a double or triple space as they are available.
Downtown MSD Merchant Booth $425 Non-refundable This selection is available for Downtown Merchants located within the MSD at a discounted rate of 50% off the Commercial booth fee. This category provides a single booth space within the festival zone. A single booth is 15 feet wide and 10 feet deep. This is for the use of a 10x10 ft tent. The extra space on the left and right are to provide storage between vendors. Your tent may not extend beyond 10 feet deep - this is set by fire code standards. If you need a wider booth, you may purchase a double or triple space as they are available.
Double Booth space $150 Non-refundable This is an additional fee added to your booth fee for extra space. The double booth space is 10 ft deep and 30 ft wide. This provides two single booth spaces side-by-side for larger displays. A limited number of double booth spaces are available.
Triple Booth space $225 Non-refundable This is an additional fee added to your booth fee for the extra space. The triple booth space is the largest booth space allowed. The space is 10 ft deep and 45 feet wide. This is 3-single booth spaces side-by-side. We offer a limited number of triple booth spaces.
DWNTWN- Electrical Outlet (115v/15 amp - houshold outlet style) $20 Non-refundable Refer to Electrical Outlet PDF. Your plug must match the outlet style. We do not adjust - bring your own adapter. Approximately half of the vendor booth spaces have ONE electrical outlet available. Vendors requesting electricity are strategically placed to provide utilities and a variety of vendors within each block of the festival. Electrical requests will be considered on a first come, first served basis.
Water access $20 Non-refundable Access to water is limited and typically reserved for food vendors. However, requests will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Water access will at a corner fire hydrant. Vendors should bring 100 ft hose to reach booth.

Questions on the application

Business information

  • Business name
  • Legal business name
  • Contact name
  • Address
  • Email
  • Phone
  • Website (Optional)
  • Logo (Optional)

Additional information

  • Have you been a vendor with the Whirligig Festival before?
  • List 2-3 other recent festivals or events in which you have partcipated:
  • What is the street address of your store/business location?
  • Please provide a description of your business, items or services for sale and price range.
  • Insurance
  • NC Sales Tax ID Number
  • How did you learn about the NC Whirligig Festival?
  • By signing your name, you agree to our terms and conditions.

Picture requirements

  • Minimum pictures required: 3
  • Upload a minimum of 3 photos: (1) of your booth display or store front and (2 or more) of the items or services that will be for sale in your booth.
Downtown Merchant Application 2024
Downtown Merchant Application 2024
NC Whirligig Festival 2024
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