KNOXVILLE OPERA
ROSSINI FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL STREET FAIR
Saturday, April 12, 2024, 10:00am to 9:00pm
Sunday, April 13, 2024, 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
ARTISAN VENDOR (AV) RULES, APPLICATION, AND AGREEMENT
INSTRUCTIONS: Complete this application form online. All vendors will need to pass a jury process before being selected. Invitations will be sent along with an invoice. Payment may be made online using a credit card or by mail using a check payable to Knoxville Opera. The application is not complete without payment in full.
SALABLE ITEMS: Include a short description of your business and saleable items on the application. Be sure to indicate any international influence on your items. Although we hope to encourage international items at the festival, we will not disqualify your application if you do not offer those.
ORIGINAL WORK: All works for sale must be produced by the exhibiting artisan(s), and must be original in concept, design, and execution. Applications will be juried, with applicants selected for participation based on appropriateness to the event, quality, and “fit” within Knoxville Opera’s need for a diverse mix of products for sale. No work may be exhibited or sold which has been made with the use of commercial kits, molds, patterns, plans, stencils, or prefabricated forms. No buy/sell work from retail stores is permitted. Knoxville Opera reserves the right to remove any work from exhibition and/or sale which does not reflect the caliber of work presented in the submitted photos, or which KO considers to be in poor taste.
PHOTOS: Please submit two photos of your best work and one photo of your display. Photos should measure at least 4” x 6” or at least 480 x 640 pixels if submitted electronically. Do not submit slides, scrapbooks, or laminated or mounted photos. Please provide a brief description of your work, including name, medium, and price. Each photo should be labeled or titled with the corresponding number from the description. Please submit only the photos requested. Photos will be returned following the event.
BIO: Please include a short biography of the artisan(s) and description of the artisan(s)’ process(es), along with the descriptions of the art shown in the photos with the application. Write only on the lines provided on the application form.
FEE: The Artisan Vendor (AV) Registration early access fee is $315 for a 10’ x 10’ exhibit space or mobile unit space if both the paid the application and agreement are received by February 7, 2025. If your entry application and/or payment arrive at KO after February 7, 2025, the AV Registration fee is $395. Notifications and setup instructions will be emailed by April 5, 2024. See paragraph 8 for space assignment information. Not all AVs who apply are guaranteed acceptance. Those AVs who participated in 2024, vendors who do not duplicate an artistic offering already represented, and vendors who offer international offerings will be given priority.
SPACE ASSIGNMENTS: AVs will be considered for their assigned spaces, first served based on the order of completed applications and payments received. Applicants are asked for their first, second, and third choices of space locations. Note that mobile food units will be located on Market Street between Union, Church Ave., and Clinch Ave. (See map for details.) We will do our best to accommodate your request for space, but we cannot guarantee placement.
WAITING LIST: If and when the maximum number of exhibit spaces is filled, a waiting list will be created for AVs who pay in full. Any cancellations will be filled by considering the next available AV application. If no space opens for you, then we will refund your fee.
CANCELLATIONS: Cancellations must be submitted in writing to Knoxville Opera Rossini Festival, 612 E. Depot Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Cancellations received on or before March 1, 2025 will receive a refund of booth and rental fees minus a $100 administrative fee. Cancellations received after March 3, 2025 will not be refunded.
PAYMENT & SALES TAX: AVs are responsible for processing all payments at their booths and paying sales tax on all products. You may accept cash, credit card, or other payment of your choice. KO does not pay sales tax on behalf of AVs nor does it provide a change service.
SIGNAGE: Artisans must provide and display signage in their exhibit spaces stating their name (business and/or artist) and home city and state.
HOURS OF OPERATION: Artisan Vendors must be open for business Saturday from 10:00 am - 9:00 pm and Sunday from 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm.
SET UP: AVs will be allowed to unload at their designated space on Saturday morning of the festival during their assigned arrival time and will receive a setup map and traffic pattern prior to the fair. No set up is allowed the day before or any earlier than 5:30 am. All vehicles must be removed to assigned parking areas NO LATER than 8:30am. As a service to you, a few volunteers will be available to assist with unpacking and moving into your space. Some of these volunteers may be minors, are largely untrained, and not responsible for any damage to your vehicle, equipment, or materials. Please use them at your own risk. On Sunday the site will re-open to FV at 9am.
BREAK DOWN: For breakdown at 6:00 pm Sunday, please be prepared to hand truck all your property to your car. No vehicles will be allowed on the streets until attendees have left and the Knoxville Police open the streets. Early breakdowns are not permitted unless authorized by Don Townsend at the fair.
EXHIBIT SPACE: The AV’s entire display and setup must fit within the designated 10’ x 10’ exhibit space(s). Tents, tables, chairs, displays, table coverings, signage, and all other equipment deemed necessary by the Artisan are the responsibility of the Artisan. Tents, weights, tables, and chairs are available for rent from KO. Rental fees must accompany application fees. See fee calculator for details. The City of Knoxville requires that tents be secured with approximately 40 lbs. of weight on each leg. All vendors are required to comply with all requirements of the City of Knoxville Special Events Department in effect at the time of the event. Call 865-215-4248 or visit this link for more information.
ELECTRICITY: Power is available to AVs free of charge. Electric service will provide 10 amps at 110 volts single-phase (normal household electric service). No generators will be permitted. AVs must provide their own commercial outdoor-rated extension cords (up to 100 feet), plug-in strips, and must secure all cords with duct tape, or use anti- trip hazard cord.
WATER: Water access is NOT available. If needed, AVs must bring their own water.
WASTE: Each AV is responsible for removing their own trash from their exhibit space on a continuing basis throughout the day including at final breakdown. No trash is to be left at vendor’s site. It is against City of Knoxville regulations to pour or dispose of anything in the storm drains. Grease, paints, chlorinated water, and other liquids must be removed from the site and disposed of properly. AVs will be responsible for the expense of cleanup if anything is left behind at the event site.
COVID-19: AV agrees to comply with all National/State/County/City requirements regarding the COVID-19 pandemic which are in place on April 20-21, 2024. Failure to adhere to the requirements as determined by Knoxville Opera (KO) at its sole discretion will result in the immediate closure of Vendor’s operation and there will be no refunds of registration and rental fees.
INDEMNIFICATION: Vendor releases and agrees to hold KO, its employees, and its volunteers harmless and not seek any compensation for damages, injuries, or complaints related to the Rossini Festival including those caused by COVID 19. AV also agrees to indemnify and defend KO for any claims against KO arising out of the AV’s operations at the Rossini Festival.