• 2026 Lionfish Festival Vendor Application

    Hosted by HarborWalk Village & Destin-Fort Walton Beach Saturday May 16th - Sunday, May 17th

  • Deadline:

    All applications must be submitted prior to Monday, May 4th, 2026 in order to be considered.

  • Event Info

    The Lionfish Festival is a one-of-a-kind event, promoting lionfish removal and awareness. Alongside the festival will be the largest lionfish tournament in the world, the Emerald Coast Open. The festival will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 16th through Sunday, May 17th in Destin, FL. The headquarters of the Emerald Coast Open tournament will be hosted at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar, with the festival hosted along the HarborWalk Village. This event typically brings in 5,000 - 7,000 visitors each year. All vendor applications must go through the approval process!

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    Please Note: HarborWalk Village hosts permanent vendors year-round. Because of this, vendors for this event are not permitted to sell food, drink, or other concessions. All applicants must be approved by the HarborWalk Village Events Team.

     

  • Set Up & Breakdown

    Vendor set up is Saturday, May 16th from 8:00am-9:30am. Breakdown is Sunday, May 17th at approximately 5pm, pending foot traffic in the village. Additional information regarding set-up protocol and vendor assignments will be provided after application approval. All vendors must follow the hours of the festival and remain operational for the entirety of the Festival.

  • Pricing

    For both days of vending, vendors must pay a fee of $100 + tax. Invoices will be sent to your email via Square upon approval. Fee is not due until the day before set up on Friday, May 15th. HarborWalk Village will be the only organization handling and collecting vendor fees and will only utilize the Square Program. If you wish to pay by check, please contact the HarborWalk Village Events team directly - events@harborwalkvillage.com. Please beware of scammers and alert the HarborWalk Events team of suspicious requests or communications. ALL NON-PROFITS & GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS WILL BE EXEMPT FROM THE VENDOR FEES.

  • Security

    There is 24/7 security at HarborWalk Village. Each night we ask that you please breakdown your booth, utilizing tent weights and tent walls to secure your booth, and take any valuables you feel uncomfortable leaving with you as well. Although security is provided, neither HarborWalk Village nor the festival affiliates are responsible for lost or stolen items.

  • Parking

    As a vendor you will receive 2 parking passes for the weekend when arriving and checking in with Event Staff at load in ramp.

  • Vendor Selection

    Due to limited space, vendor participation in the Lionfish Festival is selective. All applicants must complete the application process and will be reviewed and approved by the Destin–Fort Walton Beach team in partnership with HarborWalk Village.Priority will be given to vendors and exhibitors that align with the festival’s mission, with an emphasis on marine conservation, environmental education, and non-profit organizations. Additional consideration may be given to past participation and overall fit with the event experience.All vendors must be consistent with the image and identity of the festival, its partners, and HarborWalk Village.As HarborWalk Village is home to permanent merchants, vendors offering similar products or services may require additional review and approval from HarborWalk Village leasing.Booth locations will be assigned by the event team. Conservation and educational vendors will receive priority placement within the Charters area on the east side of the property until capacity is reached.Due to space limitations, each approved vendor will be assigned one (1) 10x10 booth space. Requests for multiple spaces cannot be accommodated.Vendor selections will be finalized prior to Monday, May 4th.HarborWalk Village reserves the right to refuse any application.

  • Important Details

    All vendors are required to bring their own tent. Each vendor will be provided with a 10'x10' space and given signage. Vendors are expected to bring their own displays, chairs, and any other necessary equipment.To ensure a cohesive and professional appearance, the use of the provided signage is mandatory. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

    Setup: If your setup includes a trailer or mobile vehicle, please indicate this on your application. 

    Weather Preparedness: The event is located along Destin Harbor, which can be affected by strong winds or inclement weather. We recommend bringing equipment (tent weights are mandatory) to secure your displays and materials. Please be aware that some areas may not have access to electrical outlets. If you require power for your booth, please indicate this on your application. We will do our best to accommodate all power requests, though we cannot guarantee availability.

    Booth Security: As this is a multi-day festival, all vendors are responsible for securing their items and breaking down their booths each night before the event closes. For additional security, we highly recommend using tent side walls. These will not be provided, but you may inquire about borrowing some from the HarborWalk Village Events Team. Please note that additional fees may apply.

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  • Will your set up include a trailer or mobile vehicle?*

  • Interested in becoming a Sponsor?

    If you are interested in sponsoring the Lionfish Removal and Awareness Festival and/or the Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Tournament? To Sponsor the Festival, please contact events@harborwalkvillage.com to receive the 2026 Sponsor Information Packet and registration form. For the Tournament, please visit EmeraldCoastOpen.com to view the 2026 Sponsor Information Packet and complete the registration form. Contact sponsor@emeraldcoastopen.com with any questions.
  • I'd like to know more about the Lionfish Festival Sponsorship Opportunities!

  • Lionfish Passport Participation (Optional but encouraged!)

    Participation due by April 27th

  • This year we are bringing back our Lionfish Festival Passport, a fun and interactive activity for kids that encourages them to explore the festival and visit educational vendor booths.

    Participants who choose to be included in the Passport will be listed as a stop on the passport map. Kids will receive a passport from the Little Adventures tent or near the weigh station and will visit participating booths to collect stamps while learning fun facts about lionfish, the ocean, or your organization. Once completed, passports can be turned in for a prize.

    If you select YES to participate, you agree to:

    - Provide a small stamp, sticker, or hole punch for kids to mark their passport at your booth
    - Offer a simple educational fact, activity, or interaction related to your booth, ocean education, conservation, or lionfish (this can be very simple!)
    - Be available at your booth during festival hours


    This is always a fun addition to the event and helps drive more traffic to participating vendors.

  • Would you like to be included in the 2026 Lionfish Festival Passport?*
  • Children who complete the Lionfish Festival Passport will receive a small prize. If you would like to donate a small item or giveaway to be included in the prize collection, it would be greatly appreciated but is not required. Would you like to make a donation?

  • Standards & Guidelines

    Please read and initial before providing your signature and date on the next sections.

  • Important Details

    All vendors are required to bring their own tents, tables, and weights. Each vendor will be provided with a 10'x10' space and given signage. Vendors are expected to bring their own displays, chairs, and any other necessary equipment.To ensure a cohesive and professional appearance, the use of the provided signage is mandatory. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

    Setup: If your setup includes a trailer or mobile vehicle, please indicate this on your application. 

    Weather Preparedness: The event is located along Destin Harbor, which can be affected by strong winds or inclement weather. We recommend bringing equipment (tent weights are mandatory) to secure your displays and materials. Please be aware that some areas may not have access to electrical outlets. If you require power for your booth, please indicate this on your application. We will do our best to accommodate all power requests, though we cannot guarantee availability.

    Booth Security: As this is a multi-day festival, all vendors are responsible for securing their items and breaking down their booths each night before the event closes. For additional security, we highly recommend using tent side walls. These will not be provided, but you may inquire about borrowing some from the HarborWalk Village Events Team. Please note that additional fees may apply.

  • Initial*

  • Consent to Photograph /Videotape / Interview Individuals

    Please read and intial before providing your signature and date on the next sections.

    Terms & Conditions

    I hereby agree and give my permission for HarborWalk Village, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida and their employees, sponsors, volunteers, and agents to record, film,photograph, audiotape or videotape myself, business/organization, and products (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Works”) and to display, publish or distribute these Works for the purpose of advertisment and promotions, posting on the Harborwalk Village and DFWB website and posting on social media sites. I hereby waive any right to approve the use of these Works now or in the future, whether the use is known to me or unknown, and I waive any right to any royalties related to the use of these Works. I understand that the Works may appear in electronic form on the internet or in other publications outside of the HarborWalk Village’s control. I agree that I will not hold HarborWalk Village nor its associates responsible for any harm that may arise from such unauthorized reproduction.

     

  • Initial*

  • Release of Liability

    Please read and intial before providing your signature and date on the next sections.

    Terms & Conditions

    Vendor hereby agrees to release, waive, and discharge HarborWalk Village and the Festival Affiliates and their employees, sponsors, volunteers, and agents from all losses, damages, claims, costs, expenses, and liabilities, including attorney fees, for injury to person or property arising in connection with my participation in Lionfish Festival and Emeral Coast Open activities and use of facilities and equipment. 

  • Initial*
  • Date of Submission
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