Vendor Information – Fort Morgan Oyster Festival

FORT MORGAN OYSTER FEST ARTS & CRAFTS VENDOR INFORMATION

Applications ARE NOW OPEN FOR 2025

General Vendor Information and Selection Process

Artisans and craftspeople are juried by an independent panel and selected based on the images submitted with their applications. You may upload three images and one booth shot. These must be representative of the works you will display at the Fort Morgan Oyster Fest. Selection is based on quality and skill in workmanship, original and creative ideas and attractiveness of display. Once a category is full, those with quality works may be accepted to a “wait list.” Do not send samples. They will not be returned or presented during selection. Vendors of commercially manufactured items, ceramics from commercial molds, mass-produced items, plants, soaps, candles, food items, books, CDs, t-shirts and commercial jewelry are ineligible for the Fort Morgan Oyster Fest. Reproductions, including giclee’s, are allowed to be sold but must be clearly marked.

License & Taxes

The State of Alabama and Baldwin County require each exhibitor and vendor to purchase a transient license. The details are available from the Baldwin County License inspector at 251-990-4627. Each exhibitor is responsible for collecting Alabama State tax and Baldwin County tax as required by law. Tax forms will be provided in the registration packets.

Festival Attendance

Ticket sales will be capped at 2,200 festival guests for 2025.

Applications in the following categories will be accepted for review:

Fibers/Leather
Functional Crafts
Graphics, Drawing & Watercolor
Jewelry
Mixed Media
Painting
Photography
Pottery/Ceramics
Sculpture
Wood

Application Dates

Festival Fees

Single booth fee: $100
Premium Single booth fee: $250
Double booth fee: $200
Premium Double booth fee: $500
Vendor box lunch: $10 per lunch per day (Includes choice of Italian hoagie or Grilled Chicken Sandwich with chips and fruit) These will be delivered to vendors by our festival staff each day

Logistics

Booth Space: 12x12
Tent Allowed: 10x10
Electricity is not available. Generators and amplified music are not allowed.
Number of booths available: 50
If a double booth is purchased, you will have two adjoining spaces. Booth space is 12x12 and tent size is 10x10
Booth instructions will be sent to artists in February 2025.
Booth locations will be assigned this year
Vendors may have no more than 2 attendees working the booth. You may enlist others only for loading and unloading.
We will not provide vendor runners. Please plan accordingly
Boxed lunches will be available and will be delivered for a fee of $10 per lunch and will include choice of grilled chicken sandwich or Italian Hoagie with Chips and Fruit.

Registration and Setup

Registration opens Friday, February 21 2025, at 9 a.m. at The Beach Club Resort & Spa (925 Beach Club Trail, Gulf Shores, AL).
Setup is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on February 21, 2025. Vendors will be assigned setup times.
Artists will provide their own tents. More specific information regarding tent setup and unloading will be provided upon acceptance.
Booth items will be monitored by Security throughout the night of February 21 and February 22
Load Out: The Festival ends at 3 p.m. on February 23, 2025. Artist must start packing at 3 p.m., no sooner. The Festival premises must be cleared by 6 p.m. Artists remaining after 8 p.m. will be subject to a fine.
Spaces will be selected by the vendors this year on a first come first serve basis at the time of registration.

Jury Details

Average number of applications: 100

Average number of artists selected to participate: 40

Average number exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event: 0

Vendors that are excluded/ineligible: Commercially manufactured items, ceramics from commercial molds, mass-produced items, plants, soaps, candles, food items, t-shirts, and commercial jewelry. Reproductions, including giclee’s, are allowed to be sold but must be clearly marked.

How images are viewed by jurors: computer monitor

Within a medium category, applications are sorted and viewed by: Application ID

Jurors score applications using the following scale: 1-10

Number of jurors scoring applications: 5

The show organizers jurors for a single jury panel that scores applications for all medium categories.

Jurors score: From one location

Am I allowed to observe the jury process: No. Jury process is closed.

Rules & Regulations

An accepted application is a commitment to participate in the show. NO REFUNDS will be made for any reason, including inclement weather. Accepted artists must exhibit the full day of the show and be in their booths during designated Festival hours. Stand-in or proxy exhibitors are not permitted.
Exhibitor must be directly involved in the design and production of work they exhibit at the Fort Morgan Oyster Fest. Exhibitors must display their own work, not works purchased from an outside source for resale (buy/sell). Excluded from exhibition are: commercially manufactured items, ceramics from commercial molds, mass-produced items, plants, soaps, candles, food items, books, CDs, t-shirts and commercial jewelry. Reproductions, including giclee’s, are allowed to be sold but must be clearly marked. At least 50% of your display must be original work.
Up to two (2) people with his/her original work are allowed per booth.
Only work representative of that submitted for jurying may be exhibited. Only artists juried and accepted in the jewelry category may display and sell jewelry items. Displays will be viewed throughout the Festival. The Festival reserves the right to request the removal of any work that differs from the images submitted and accepted as well as any inappropriate work or display. Failure to remove such works or abide by the rules set forth may result in the applicant’s removal from the Festival.
Any items that you plan to sell during the festival must be represented in your booth images submitted with application
Exhibitors bear the responsibility for all setup and security needs for their exhibits. It is required to show proof of insurance at registration. Please allow for restocking during Festival hours as vehicles are not allowed on the streets after the show opens.
During setup, nails or other anchors may not be placed in the street. Make alternative arrangements to secure your booth. Fines will be imposed for destruction of Beach Club property – this includes nails to hold down tent and rugs on the ground. Double stick tape works well for this function. Tent weights ARE required. Minimum of 40-pound weights PER tent leg. Fort Morgan can be windy during this time of year so please come prepared.
All fire department safety lanes and rules will be observed and strictly enforced at all times. No generators are allowed in the show. Battery lighting is acceptable. No amplified music is permitted. Your booth, awning, chairs and all displays must be within your 12’ x 12’ space. This will be strictly enforced.
The State of Alabama and Baldwin County require each exhibitor and vendor to purchase a transient license. The details are available from the Baldwin County License inspector at 251-990-4627. Each exhibitor is responsible for collecting Alabama State tax and Baldwin County tax as required by law. Tax forms will be provided in the registration packets.
Accepted artists who have not checked in with Registration by 6:00 PM Friday, February 21, 2025, will forfeit their space and booth fee.
Use of sealants or spray paints or aerosols is strictly prohibited.
The Fort Morgan Oyster Fest Committee reserves the right to remove an artist from the show for conduct deemed unacceptable and/or detrimental to the mission and reputation of the Fort Morgan Oyster Fest.
Ticket sales will be capped at 2,200 guests for 2025.