Retail Marketplace Application 2025

Welcome to the Retail Marketplace Application process!

This is an electronic agreement and by submission, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically.

The Annual National Shrimp Festival is produced by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber (CABC). The CABC retains the exclusive and sole right to sell official Shrimp Festival art, souvenirs and merchandise. Vendors will NOT be allowed to sell ANY items, or market any product that include the words “Annual National Shrimp Festival” or any derivative thereof including but not limited to , “Shrimp Festival”, “National Shrimp Festival”, “Shrimp Fest”, the year (52nd Annual) or the term “Official Merchandise” if merchandise may be construed to be tied to the event itself.

Vendor selection is a JURIED process. No vendor is guaranteed booth location or number of booths requested, despite previous participation in the Annual National Shrimp Festival. A signed application constitutes a contract to follow and be bound by all Annual National Shrimp Festival Rules & Regulations, and is a commitment to participate personally if accepted. ALL vendors are required to submit photos of booth setup and arts/crafts/merchandise. The applicant veries that photos submitted accurately depict booth setup and products to be sold. Retail Marketplace is for items that are Buy/Sell and or mass produced.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

Submission Deadline April 25, 2025

Full Refund Deadline (If Accepted)  August 22, 2025

Notifications of acceptance will be sent in early June 2025. Violation of rules & regulations prior to, during, or at the Festival will result in loss of vendor space without refund.

Your application will not be considered if this application is incomplete, unsigned, received after the deadline, or received without correct fees. 

●        Vendors are required to apply for and pay for a City of Gulf Shores ($100) & Baldwin County/State of AL Business License ($31)  BEFORE arriving to be allowed to participate in the festival. If accepted, you will receive instructions for this well before the Festival.

●        Vendors are responsible for collecting and paying sales taxes. Tax forms will be included in vendor packets and City of Gulf Shores tax collectors will be on site on Sunday, for your convenience, to pay sales taxes. It is the vendor’s responsibility to pay taxes. Any vendor that does not pay will not be issued a license for the next year and will NOT be eligible to participate.

●        Vendors must furnish their own tent & tent weights and tents must be secured/weighted properly. Our requirement is no less than 40 pounds per leg. Anchoring to any City property is strictly prohibited. Staking into the ground is prohibited without prior consent. Damages caused by vendors to City/Private property are the responsibility of the vendor. If you need or want to rent a tent please contact the CABC so we can provide you with contact information for authorized tent vendors.

●       Vendors must provide their own tables, chairs, LED lighting & extension cords. (No longer than 25 feet and no smaller than 12 gauge).

●       No generators are allowed to be operated on the Festival Site.

●       Electricity is provided to ALL vendors with restrictions. If you are using too much power you will be required to reduce your number of connections.

●       Dedicated Wi-Fi Access is available for a fee; see booth fee section.

●        All displays should be designed and constructed in good taste and must not cause concern for the safety of festival attendees.

●        Vendors may ONLY use the space provided and purchased. You MUST keep all of your stock and equipment within your designated area.

●        Parking is extremely limited and vehicle entry pass(es) will be provided for each vendor. Vendors  must display tag and contact information must be correctly displayed in the windshield of the vehicle. Vehicles not displaying a vehicle entry pass with owner information will be towed at your expense and we are not kidding. We strongly encourage the use of the Gulf Shores City School Shuttle system whenever possible.

●        Security is provided before and during the festival however the CABC assumes no responsibility or liability for damage or loss of property in cases of weather, theft or vandalism or any other cause. It is the responsibility of the  vendor to insure and secure their own property.

●        Vendors must bring enough inventory to operate through the festival. Festival hours are 10:00 am - 10:00 pm Thursday- Saturday and 10:00 am - 5:00 pm on Sunday. Retail Marketplace vendors MUST stay open for the duration of the festival.

●        Vendors must check in during the hours scheduled for that area. All areas of the festival have different check in times. With little exception, any vendor that does not check in during the time allocated may forfeit their booth without refund. NO VENDORS may pack up and leave early unless approved by committee. Leaving early will automatically disqualify you from the following year’s festival.

●        No booth space can be sub-leased. Any vendor found subleasing space will automatically be disqualified from the festival and asked to leave without refund.

●       If you send a sample of your product, the sample will not be returned.

●       Active solicitation (hawking) outside of booth space is prohibited.

●       Vendors may begin breaking down their booths after 5:00 pm on Sunday and NOT BEFORE!

●       LOAD OUT INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCEDURES WILL BE COMMUNICATED BY YOUR COMMITTEE CHAIR. DO NOT TRY TO LINE UP OR MOVE YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL INSTRUCTED TO DO SO.

●        NO COOKING OR GRILLING ON ANY PART OF THE SITE IS PERMITTED UNLESS YOU ARE A FOOD VENDOR.

●        NO SMOKING IN OR AROUND VENDOR TENTS. SMOKING IS ONLY PERMITTED IN DESIGNATED AREAS. PLEASE DO NOT DROP YOUR CIGARETTE BUTTS ON THE GROUND.

●        NO PETS ARE ALLOWED ON THE FESTIVAL SITE.

●        THE SALE OF WEAPONS, TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL IS PROHIBITED.

●        VENDORS MAY NOT BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR NON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS DURING THE FESTIVAL

By signing the vendor application for the 52nd Annual National Shrimp Festival you are stating you have read, understand and will adhere to the rules and guidelines listed herein. Any violations may result in the loss of space without refund and exclusion from the Festival in future years.