81st Waterford Fair, An Autumn Celebration of Americana

We are so excited to welcome returning and new artists to the Fine Art Show & Sale and Art Mart at the 81st Fair! 

Please complete this short online application for the Fine Art Exhibit, Art Mart or both, or if you prefer, print and mail the registration form along with your application fee check (printable pdf form located in the related files section on this page). The Art Mart and Fine Art Exhibit are combined into one application. ART is located at the Red Barn, in the center of the of the village. Fine Art is in the upper level and Art Mart in the lower level. We are proud of the quality of the art that is offered at the Waterford Fair and expect the Red Barn Exhibit to be a big hit with the Fair’s visitors! 

The Fair is presented by the Waterford Foundation. Funds raised are used to preserve and protect the Waterford National Historic Landmark and to educate future generations about early life in rural America. Please read the attached prospectus carefully as Art Mart and Fine Art criteria and processes differ. We recommend you download the prospectus and note important dates for future reference.  Thank you for taking part and for helping us keep our mission going strong!

We are excited to welcome returning and new artisans to the Dried Flower Barn for the 81ST Fair!

Apply one of two ways: complete this short application and pay the $30 application fee online (for business name use "n/a" if you do not have one) or print the writeable pdf application and mail it and your $30 check, made payable "Waterford Foundation" at c/o Fair, Waterford Foundation, PO Box 142, Waterford VA 20197.  

 

To prep for the Fair, follow the instructions on the attached letter. Any questions can be directed to Billy Wynkoop, the Dried Flower Barn Chairperson. Her contact information is in the attached documents.

 

The Dried Flower sale is located at the western end of the village at the Bond Street Barn, Bond Street, Waterford, VA 20197, just up Bond Street from the John Wesley Church.

 

We look forward to seeing you soon!

We are seeking for exceptional food and drink purveyors and accept food trucks, tents, stands, trailers and carts, all with the goal of making the Waterford Fair a delicious destination. We would like savory and sweet offerings, traditional fair and gourmet options, as well as coffee, tea, and other refreshing, non-alcoholic drinks to keep our crowds fed and happy!

 

You are welcome to participate in 1, 2 or all 3 days of the Fair. Our fees are based on a percentage of your sales paid after the Fair, less the deposit required with the application. 
 
SAVE YOUR LOG IN & PASSWORD - YOU CAN RETURN TO THIS APPLICATION TO EDIT AND UPLOAD ITEMS AS NEEDED. 
 

The 81th Annual Waterford Fair takes place in the National Historic Landmark village of Waterford, Virginia and attracts approximately 15,000 visitors over three days.

Founded in 1733, Waterford is situated in western Loudoun County, DC’s wine country. For the past twelve years Loudoun County, Virginia has been name the #1 county in America for the highest median household income. In 2024 income was reported to be $173,655 according to U.S. Census Bureau reports. The second highest rated county, Fairfax, is our easterly neighbor. 
 
The funds raised by the Waterford Fair support the preservation and education efforts of the Waterford Foundation, a 501(c)(3), to increase the public’s knowledge of life and work in an early American rural community.

We are seeking for exceptional food and drink purveyors and accept food trucks, tents, stands, trailers and carts, all with the goal of making the Waterford Fair a delicious destination.

 

We would like savory and sweet offerings, traditional fair and gourmet options, as well as coffee, tea, and other refreshing, non-alcoholic drinks to keep our crowds fed and happy! 
 
SAVE YOUR LOG IN & PASSWORD - YOU CAN RETURN TO THIS APPLICATION TO EDIT AND UPLOAD ITEMS AS NEEDED. 

 

EVENT SUMMARY

The 81th Annual Waterford Fair takes place in the National Historic Landmark village of Waterford, Virginia and attracts approximately 15,000 visitors over three days.

Founded in 1733, Waterford is situated in western Loudoun County, DC’s wine country. For the past twelve years Loudoun County, Virginia has been name the #1 county in America for the highest median household income. In 2024 income was reported to be $173,655 according to U.S. Census Bureau reports. The second highest rated county, Fairfax, is our easterly neighbor. 

The funds raised by the Waterford Fair support the preservation and education efforts of the Waterford Foundation, a 501(c)(3), to increase the public’s knowledge of life and work in an early American rural community.

We welcome your support and offer sponsorship and advertising opportunities from $200 to $3,000! In-kind partnerships are also welcome -- please inquire via the application below. For your LANDMARK level support your organization will receive ($3,000): • Recognition on the Fair website for one year • Sponsor named on “Welcome” banner at ticket gates • Sponsor named on “Thank you for attending” signs at parking lot exits • Full page color ad in the Fair booklet • Dedicated social media promotion • Fifty (50) Fair "daily admission" tickets (value $1,250) Historic Properties TOURS sponsorship – three available, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday (first to sign up gets to choose which category, $1500). For your TOURS level support your organization will receive: • Recognition on the Fair website for one year • Sponsor named on the tour sign at property on the day selected (sign to fit esthetic of Fair) • Fair booklet 1/2-page color ad • Dedicated social media promotion • Eight (8) Fair "daily admission" tickets (value $200) • Sponsor can opt-in and provide staff as docents at one property. Staff can wear logoed polo shirts or corporate name tags. Staff will be briefed on the property history and coached on docent responsibilities prior to the Fair. ARTISAN sponsorship – two available, Best Demonstrating Artisan and Best New Demonstrating Artisan (first to sign up gets to choose which category, $1000, 50% of your sponsorship goes to the Artisan as an award). For your ARTISAN level support your organization will receive: • Recognition on the Fair website for one year • Recognition in Artisan award letter • Recognition in Artisan awards press release • Fair booklet 1/4-page color ad • Dedicated social media promotion • Six (6) Fair "daily admission" tickets (value $150) VENUE sponsorship – four available, Main Stage, Old Mill Shop, Art at the Red Barn & the Dried Flower Barn ($750). For your VENUE level support your organization will receive: • Recognition on the Fair website for one year • Sponsor named on “Thank you” sign at venue (sign to fit esthetic of Fair) • Fair booklet 1/8-page color ad • Four (4) Fair "daily admission" tickets (value $100) • Dedicated social media promotion BOOKLET advertising only – full color display ad for your business placed in our Fair program: 1/8-page ad $375 color 1/4-page ad $475 color 1/2-page ad $675 color Full page ad $875 color In-Kind Sponsorship levels will be based on the value of the donation. This will be discussed before the donation is made.

the tradition is back! Individual patrons (not intended for corporations) can sponsor a Fair booklet page! Patron provides text for placement at the bottom of a booklet page. Examples: This page donated in memory of our mother, Mrs. Jane Smith or This page donated by the Jones Family. When completing the application sponsor form, please enter "N/A" for the business name. Ten are available at $200 each.

School, tour & large group organizers, we are excited to welcome your groups back to Waterford this year!  Shop, play and tour 1, 2 or 3 days!

Click the START APPLICATION button to reserve your spot! Tickets for groups of more than 20 are $18 per person. 

 

Due to the size of the event, we do require date/time reservations for your group's arrival. A docent will meet your group, delivering Fair tickets and event schedules, and will give a brief welcome talk before turning the group loose to enjoy the day. If you group is driving in separate vehicles, we recommend you pick a rendezvous point and we will send your tickets to you ahead of time so you don't need to worry about who has parked where.

 

Reserved designated parking is available for pre-paid groups,  no matter your preferred mode of transport (e.g., van, bus, bicycles or motorcycles)! Those arriving by individual cars will follow traffic flagger's instructions and park where directed. There is no parking fee.

 

FAIR DETAILS:

When: Oct. 3-5, 2025, 10 am - 5 pm daily

Where: National Historic Landmark of Waterford, Waterford, Virginia 20197 
Cost: For groups of 20+, One-day Fair tickets are $18 per person. We include up to two free tickets: one each for the driver and the tour guide. You will have the option to mail a check or pay online. Admission is free for kids 12 and under with a paid adult ticket. Multi-day passes are available. Contact the office for pricing.

 

Please complete this form so we can start talking about how best to set up your Fair visit. Note: it will ask for your logo & website. Please ignore those prompts. 

 

Questions? Contact the office at 540-882-3018 x 4 or fairadmin@waterfordfoundation.org.