NC Whirligig Festival 2025

Welcome to the North Carolina Whirligig Festival! Browse through of application and let us know if you have any questions. 

The Wilson Downtown Merchants are encouraged, welcomed and desired to participate in the Whirligig Festival. Merchants can set up a display, sidewalk sale or create an attractive display to draw in customers. The NC Whirligig Festival is the largest annual event in Wilson. Businesses that embrace opportunities to invite customers into their stores will seen an increase in revenue during the festival weekend and beyond.  Wilson Businesses around town are also encouraged to participate in the largest community event in Wilson. Apply to be a Commercial Vendor or consider becoming a Sponsor to increase your return on investment. 

Deadline: August 1, 2025 -  Downtown business applications are due 1 month early so that the organizers may reserve your spot before assigning locations to other vendors. Any late applications can not be guaranteed a location preference. 

Downtown Booth Fees: $25 Application fee + $50 - $425 Booth Fee

(same fees as 2024)

All vendors pay the same application fee, charged immediately. Booth fees vary depending on category and activity (see below) and are charged after approval.  Booth fee includes a single (1) booth space.  

We have 4 downtown merchant categories:  (same fees as 2024)

1. Store Open Listing only = $0  (no booth, no application, no fee)
This is for the merchants that will have their business open during the festival, but are not interested in a booth or outdoor display.  The business operator will need to contact the Downtown Development Office to provide your name to be included in their promotions during the festival. The festival will include the Downtown Merchant Association campaign as part of the festival PR. Keep in mind, this category means the space in front of your store will most likely be occupied by a  paid vendor and may obstruct the view of your store. 

2. Downtown Merchant Booth = $75   ($25 application fee + $50 booth fee)
This option guarantees one (1) space in front of your store will be reserved for your use. Our goal is to identify the space closest to your store door. This is only for businesses within the festival zone. "In Zone" means the street in front of your store will be closed, barricaded from traffic flow and festival activities are established on your street.  Note: Booth spaces are 15 ft wide. The measurements start at the corner intersection. Your booth space may not be directly at your store's front door, but will be as close to your front door as possible.You can apply for a double or triple booth to have more space.   

3. Downtown Perimeter Booth = $125   ($25 app fee + $100 booth fee)
This options is available for businesses within the 1 block perimeter of the festival zone. In the perimeter, the traffic flow may be affected, but is not blocked. You may have lots of festival attendees walking by your store coming and going to the festival. We offer a discounted booth rate to have a single booth space inside the festival zone. You can apply for a double or triple booth to have more space.   

4. Downtown MSD Merchant Booth = $525   ($25 app fee + $500 fee)
This option is available for businesses in the downtown area that pay the additional MSD taxes. We invite all downtown businesses to participate in the festival. This is discounted from the regular Commercial booth fee of $875. One (1) booth space would be reserved within the festival footprint. You can apply for a double or triple booth to have more space.   

Note: Any downtown restaurant that would like to have a food selling booth on the street/sidewalk/curb within the festival zone must apply under the Food Vendor category.  Downtown food vendors and restaurants within the festival zone receive a 50% discount. Restaurants outside the festival footprint will need to apply as a regular food vendor.

Applications for 2025 are electronic only - no paper needed. 
 
This is an electronic agreement and by applying for the booth, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically. By submitting the application you are confirming that you have read the NCWF Vendor policies and agree to abide by them as stated in the guidelines below.