ELLIJAY APPLES FEST, INC dba GEORGIA APPLE FESTIVAL RULES, LIMITATIONS and PROCEDURES Festival Schedule:
Saturday, October 11, 2025, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday, October 12th, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, October 18th 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday, October 19th 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Early Check-in*: Wednesday, October 8th, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Regular Check-In: Thursday, October 9th, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Friday, October 10th 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Late Check-in*: Saturday, October 11, 6 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. All vehicles MUST be off of the fairgrounds by 8 a.m.
If applying for second weekend ONLY Check-In: Friday, October 17th 9 a.m.-6 p.m..
Additional check-in and set-up information will be sent if you are accepted into the festival.
- All complete applications and accompanying information will be present to the Jury.
- Jury is composed of a panel of experienced artists, show producers and former crafters. Selection is based on quality and skill in workmanship; originality, creativity, unique and relevant ideas; attractiveness of display; and number of crafters in each category.
- Jury will review photographs, menus and application information in making selections. Applicant photos are an important factor in review and acceptance. Photos must be current and the best representation of your work and process as outlined in the material requirements. Photos must include at least one image of booth set up.
- Jury will be held during April 2025. Acceptance and Non-acceptance notifications will be sent beginning in May 2025 and will not be discussed. All decisions of the jurors are final.
PRODUCT and EXHIBIT
- ALL items must be created or grown by the exhibitor.
- Only the exhibitor and booth partner(s) will be eligible to check into the Festival.
- Items/ Categories NOT permitted: BUY/SELL --the resale of wholesale items, MLM -- multi-level marketing items, obscene items, or items portraying illegal drug use are prohibited and will result in immediate dismissal without refund.
- Exhibitors may only show and sell work from the category in with they have been accepted.
- Any items of work not listed in the application and/or not created by the exhibitor must be removed from the show.
- Management will prohibit the installation and operation of any exhibits not meeting their approval.
- Exhibitors must bring enough stock for the entire show (4 days). If an exhibitor believes they are in danger of running out of stock, they must report to Festival organizers immediately.
- All transactions and activities must be confined to exhibitor's assigned space.
- Taking orders only for merchandise is prohibited. Orders may be taken for special orders and collecting names for mailing purposes is permitted. You may not use your credit card process to gather information.
- All articles and displays must be in good taste with no reference to race, ethnic, gender, sexual, political or religious prejudice.
- All materials must be in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of the United States and the State of Georgia.
BOOTH DISPLAY and SET-UP
- All spaces, unless specified, are on natural terrain--spaces will have pine straw, holes, etc. Come prepared with stakes, wood shims to level legs, tent weights, etc. Vendor will be liable for any damaged caused by poorly secured tent and incidents may affect future acceptance.
- A single outdoor space is 15' x 15'; a single pavilion space is 12'x12'; a single indoor space is 7'x10'*
- Exhibitors must furnish their own display table, skirting, chairs, extension cords, etc.
- All displays must be designed, constructed and operated in good taste.
- Signs, tents, canopies or any other part of display may not extend over or into walkways.
- You may bring an identification sign/banner for your booth, but Georgia Apple Festival reserves the right to approve or disapprove display at any time.
- Booths must be set up and manned by 8:30 a.m. Exhibitors may not open their booth late or close early. Doing so, affects the possibility of being considered for other Georgia Apple Festival events.
CRAFTER CHECK-IN and SET-UP SCHEDULE
- Exhibitor (or listed booth partner) must check-in, in person, with a PHOTO ID, and must attend the show in its entirety.
- Exhibitor (or listed booth partner) MUST check-in during official check-in times. Any exhibitor not check-in will forfeit their booth space and all fees.
- Exhibitors CANNOT sub-lease assigned booth space or employ sales agents or representatives in lieu of checking-in and attending the Festival personally.
- Exhibitors MUST sign a waiver of liability BEFORE they will be allowed to set up their display. Failure to do so will result in forfeiting their space without refund.
- NO vehicles are allowed within the fairgrounds during show hours. Gates closing does not mean you may bring your vehicle on the fairgrounds. Anyone wishing to bring a vehicle onto the fairgrounds before 7 p.m. MUST speak to a Staff member. Load out instructions MUST be followed. Failure to follow vehicle rules will result in ineligibility for future events.
- Failure to check-in before set up may require relocation and could affect future participation.
- We understand returning vendors desire to be in the same location. While this will be considered, it is not guaranteed.
FOOD GIFTS and FOOD MIXES EXHIBITORS
- When approved and if applying for Food Gifts or Food Mixes category, you MUST provide Certificate of Insurance naming Ellijay Apple Fest, Inc. as an additionally insured.
- ALL Food Gifts and Food Mixes vendors must be prepared for check-in on Friday, booth set-up and ready for inspection. The DPH is the only entity to make exception to inspection requirements.
ADDITIONAL FESTIVAL RULES
- Electricity is a PAID amenity at the Festival and extremely limited to those who require it to demonstrate their craft, food production, or other necessary functions. Additional information will be sent to accepted exhibitors.
- Gas powered generators are strictly prohibited. Georgia Apple Festival's Safety Director and Staff will be monitoring for use.
- Grease and Oil are prohibited from being disposed of in the drains or port-o-potties. A grease trap is on site for disposal. Vendors may also store their own and dispose off-site.
- Vendors are responsible for their own trash collection and booth cleanliness will be monitored by Georgia Apple Festival Staff at all times. Hot coals, cooking oils, grease, or any other flammable items are not permitted in the dumpsters.
- The Georgia Apple Festival provides nominal after-hours security for Festival area with the understanding that the Georgia Apple Festival, Ellijay Lions Club, and/or Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce is not, and will not be, responsible in any way for loss or damage to participants property. Exhibitors are responsible for their own personal and property liability.
- Vehicles are NOT allowed in the festival grounds during the show hours or on the street or in visitor parking after set-up or during show hours. Volunteers will be available to direct to the appropriate parking areas. Trailers and campers will have limited, designated spaces and not guaranteed. Failure to abide to parking rules may affect future acceptance into the Georgia Apple Festival and/or dismissal from the show without refund. RV parking is at owners own risk. The parking lot is not owned or managed by the
- Coolers may be brought into the festival area prior to opening each day. No glass containers. No alcohol is permitted on the premises.
- NO PETS are allowed on the fairgrounds. Service animals are allowed.
- Smoking, vaping, alcoholic beverages, firearms, and controlled substances are prohibited on the fairgrounds. Any violation will result in immediate removal from the premises.
- No political rallies, speeches, campaign hand bills, or political solicitations of any kind are allowed on the fairgrounds, both inside and outside of fenced areas.
- Disruptive, rude, or disrespectful behavior toward vendors, volunteers, staff, patrons, or merchants will not be tolerated. Management reserves the right to remove or ban any person(s) who are not in compliance with the festival rules and regulations.
GEORGIA STATE/COUNTY SALES TAX at 8% must be charged on all sales. Exhibitors are solely responsible for collecting, reporting and paying all sales taxes collected to the Georgia Department of Revenue, Compliance Division. Forms will be included in the Check-in packet.
PAYMENT
Due with application:Jury/Application Fee (non-refundable): $25.00
Booth Site
BOTH weekends: $500.00 per space
Booth Site - ONE weekend ONLY: $300.00 per space
***Food/Concessions Booth Cost Determined by need.
***Can be selected with application, but will be charged separately.
WEDNESDAY Early Check-in (charged at check-in): $50.00
SATURDAY Vendor Late Check-in (charged at check-in): $20.00
Booth Electricity Access (charged upon approval): $50.00 / space
All payments will be processed via the EVENTENY platform as you complete the application. Refunds for non-accepted applications, less the jury/application fee, will be refunded back via the EVENTENY platform to the credit card initially used. Withdrawals at any time must be sent via the EVENTENY platform email to be official and in good standing. Withdrawals made before application deadline of March 31, 2025 will receive a full Booth Site fee refund. Partial refunds will be available before August 4, 2025. No refunds will be issued after August 4, 2025. This is a rain or shine event. We appreciate your interest and look forward to receiving your Georgia Apple Festival application.
***Failure to follow directions can result in disqualification. Georgia Apple Festival reserves the right to refuse any application.***
