Before you get started!

Here are a few things we will be asking you for in this application. We recommend having this information ready to go, before starting this application:

• A short description of your business/products
• Photos of your products/menu items
• Photos of your set up (tent, truck, etc)

This application process for Occoquan Festivals has changed! New categories and revised guidelines are now in place for the 2027 Festivals. These changes will help us to:

• Curate a more cohesive festival with a wider variety of vendors
• Provide less overlap of products/categories
• Accept vendors in two phases, with clear acceptance deadlines
• Create a better festival experience for visitors and vendors

All rates are based on a single 10’ x 10’ tent space, unless other otherwise noted in the Food & Drink Vendors section. Tents, tables, or chairs are NOT provided in any category.

Vendor Categories

Please review the categories below to determine the appropriate application category. Selecting incorrect categories may delay your application or push you to the wait list.

NOTE: In ALL categories, the Town of Occoquan reserves the right to limit specific product/menu items sold by individual vendors, to ensure a well balanced festival for visitors and vendors. Consideration for limited items is based on the following:

• Family Friendly - Occoquan Festivals are a PG-13 family-friendly event. Products with overly sexualized imagery or text, hate speech, lewd imagery/text, or cursing may not be permitted.
• Similarity to Other Vendors - Vendors are asked on the next page what categories of products they want to bring. Vendors may be approved to ONLY bring certain categories, to avoid being placed near someone else with similar products. This policy is in place to avoid oversaturation and provide the best show possible for everyone.

NOTE: Occoquan Festivals do not accept service-based businesses. All vendors must have tangible product to sell in their booth.

 

ARTISAN MAKERS:

 

Makers & Creators

All work must be original, handmade, and created by the applicant. No AI generated art, mass-produced, commercially manufactured work, imports, or any resale items are allowed in this category. Vendors acknowledge the handcrafted nature of their own products by completing this application. Examples include, but are not limited to: fine art, ceramics, fiber art, glass work, photography, candles, jewelry, stationery.

Antiques, Books & Boutiques

This cateogy is for book sellers, authors, antiques, vintage, and fair trade. No AI generated art is allowed in this category. Examples include, but are not limited to: authors or new book sellers; antique furniture, books, glassware, collectibles, or accessories; vintage books, records, and clothing; resale boutiques specializing in unique clothing, accessories, or handmade items; or fair trade resale (items MUST be handmade). This category is highly juried and may require additional explanation or photos to ensure the vendor is the right fit.

Gourmet Food Products

This category is specifically for vendors in tents, selling pre-packaged food items with the intent that they are consumed off-premise. No food or drink preparation onsite is permitted in this cateogry. No food trucks. Examples include, but are not limited to: baked goods, honey, pickles, salsa, dips, spices, granola, etc. ALL proper county health permits must be obtained by the vendor (even if you are just offering samples).

 

OTHER CATEGORIES:

Food & Drink Vendors (Tent or Truck)

This category is specifically for tents or trucks selling food and drinks to be consumed on the premises or any vendors with onsite food or drink preparation. Food vendors must submit a specific menu of foods to be offered, to avoid oversaturation of a category. The Town reserves the right to select menu items a vendor will not be allowed to sell. A recent photo of your display space is required. No power is available. Quiet generators are a must. ALL proper county health permits must be obtained by the vendor.

Kid's Alley Vendors

This cateogry is for tent space in our Kid's Alley section. For RiverFest & Craft Show, Conservation Alley is focused on river conservation and susanability. For Fall Arts & Crafts Show, Imagination Alley is focused on visual and performing arts. This category includes applications for:

• Jr. Entrepeneurs (up to 16 years old)
• Non-profits with hands-on kid-focused activities
• Businesses with paid or free kid-focused activities (face painting, fairy hair, balloon art, caricatures, etc)

Non-Profit

Non-profit organizations may be eligible for booth space at no cost, but they must first apply, be accepted, and commit to staffing the booth for the entire 2-day festival. A limited number of spaces will be made available to approved non-profits once overall space availability is confirmed. No spaces will be allocated to political parties or political special interest groups. Each approved non-profit is allowed one booth space, with the option to purchase one additional space at the Maker & Creator rate.

Direct Sales/Commercial

This category is for resale, commercial, MLM, and any other vendors who do not fit into one of the previous categories. Vendors in this category must submit a specific list of products that are to be sold/displayed/promoted/given away. These vendors will NOT be placed on Mill Street (the main festival street).

Again, Occoquan Festivals do not accept service-based businesses. All vendors must have tangible product to sell in their booth. 

A limited number of Vendor Sponsorships are available. Committment starts at $1,500 and includes one booth space on Mill Street along with other VIP and marketing promotions.

Town of Occoquan Business

This category is only for Town of Occoquan businesses with a valid Town of Occoquan business license. Town businesses may apply for up to two (2) booth spaces at a reduced rate. Only the Town business applying for the booth space(s) may utilize and sell from that booth space. No subleasing, pop ups, or shared spaces permitted without written approval from the Events Director. All businesses applying MUST be in good standing with the Town of Occoquan at the time of application through the festival event dates. A SEPARATE FORM WILL BE SENT IN JANUARY 2027 to all Town businesses. Please do not use this form to apply.

Below is a list of vendor categories. We understand that the perfect category describing the exact nature of your business may not be listed. However, please select ONE Primary Vendor Category which best describes the majority of your business products.

Below is a list of vendor categories. We understand that the perfect category describing the exact nature of your business may not be listed. However, please select ONE Primary Vendor Category which best describes the majority of your business products.

Occoquan Festivals focus primarily on Makers & Creators with handmade, artist-led products. While we have expanded a section specifically for Antiques, Books & Boutiques, the overall feel of the festival should remain handmade, crafty, and unique. Please explain below what makes your booth fit into this concept and why you would be a good fit for the festival.

Below is a list of vendor categories. We understand that the perfect category describing the exact nature of your business may not be listed. However, please select ONE Primary Vendor Category which best describes the majority of your business products.

NOTE: This cateogry is NOT for food trucks or for ANY food preperation onsite. All food vendors must obtain the proper county health permits to participate.

This cateogry is for tent space in our Kid's Alley section. For RiverFest & Craft Show, Conservation Alley is focused on river conservation and sustainability. For Fall Arts & Crafts Show, Imagination Alley is focused on visual and performing arts.

NOTE: all vendors in this category MUST sell tangible products in their booth. No service-based businesses are accepted.

Below we will ask you to submit images of both the products that you make, as well as your set up and booth display. Both product details and the overall aesthetic of your booth space is taken into consideration during the review process.

Please be sure to:

• Include your business name IN THE FILE NAME (this is required - we receive hundreds of submissions)
• Include photographs of ALL ITEM TYPES you wish to submit for review. Items not shown will not be accepted and will not be permitted to sell, should you be accepted.

Applications are accepted through the following rounds:

ROUND 1:

• Opens October 1, 2026
• Closes December 15, 2026
• Acceptances by January 15, 2027

ROUND 2:

• Opens December 15, 2026
• Closes February 15, 2027
• Acceptances by March 15, 2027

LATECOMERS:

• Opens February 15, 2027
• Closes when full
• Acceptances ongoing

Once a vendor receives their acceptance email, they will have 10 business days to sign the vendor agreement and pay the booth fee. If the vendor does not complete these items in that timeframe, they will automatically be placed on the wait list and other vendors may be offered their category spot.