2026 Butternut Creek Festival

A two day family-oriented fine craft and art show in Meeks Park, featuring great musical entertainment, live art demonstrations and plenty of good food.

An opportunity for artists and craftsmen to sell and share their works with the general public in a pleasant and inviting setting.

An event where all applicants are juried, limiting participation to approximately 100 of the best to ensure quality and diversity.

An opportunity to bring between 10,000 - 14,000 visitors to our community each year, resulting in increased business opportunities. Over 35% of festival visitors come from outside the local area.

A partnership between High Country Artisans, Inc. and the Union County Recreation Department and the Union County Schools Art Programs.

An opportunity for local non-profit organizations, through reduced exhibitor space fees, to educate and gain support from their local community.

PLEASE READ ALL FESTIVAL INFORMATION and RULES & REGULATIONS

DATE: Saturday & Sunday, July 18 & 19, 2026. The show is scheduled regardless of weather – “rain or shine”. No early closings will be allowed unless authorized by the organizers.

TIME: 10:00AM until 5:00PM on Saturday, 10:00AM until 4:00PM on Sunday

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 1, 2026

SET UP: Friday, July 17th, 9:00AM until dark and Saturday, July 18th, 7:00AM to 8:30AM only. You must check in prior to set up. Although every effort will made to accommodate your space request, space numbers are not guaranteed. A map with booth locations will be available at check in next to the gazebo.

Although the festival does not officially open until 10:00AM, keep in mind that this is a public park and people will begin arriving early. We strongly suggest that you be opened and ready for business as early as 8:30AM both days.

SPACES: Approximately 12” by 12”. A limited number of double spaces are available. Wi-Fi is also now available at Meeks Park. The site titled “Meeks Park” is free and no password is needed, however the site is also not secure.

FEES:  A one-time, non-refundable Jury Fee of $30.00 will be charged upon application. 

A $150.00 Booth Fee for a single space will be charged upon acceptance.

A $300.00 Booth Fee for a double space will be charged upon acceptance.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

1.     Fully completed and signed application with categories specified, maximum of 2 categories per booth. If you aplly in two (2) categories, both will be juried.

2.     Four (4) good quality jpeg photos must be submitted: One (1) of your set-up booth display and three (3) of your art/craft work. All types of items that you plan to sell must be clearly shown. If you have two categories, you must show three pictures of each art/craft. The festival committee will use your photos in publicity via social media. 

3.     All notifications will be sent via email. Please ensure the email address provided is current and  correct.

Application will be rejected if all requirements are not met.

JURYING: Done by the Festival Committee and is based on the category you specify.

ACCEPTANCE LETTERS: Will be emailed by April 1, 2026

CANCELLATION REFUND DATE: No refunds will be given after May 15, 2026. Refunds prior to May 15th will be less a $35.00 administrative fee.

EXHIBITOR RULES

1. Only arts and fine crafts made/created personally in the USA by the primary artist/craftsman will be  allowed. Work must be original and produced by the exhibiting artist/craftsman. 

No commercial or buy/sell.

2. This is a juried show where ALL exhibitors are juried every year. Jury scores will not be released and ALL DECISIONS BY THE JURY ARE FINAL. Only items in your accepted category may be displayed or offered for sale. High Country Artisans, Inc. reserves the right to remove any inappropriate or non-juried items.

3. Please be considerate of others during unloading and loading. Unload and move your vehicle as soon as you are finished unloading to the designated EXHIBITOR PARKING AREA with the PARKING PERMIT displayed in the window, then return to your site to set up. Vehicles must be parked by 8:30AM Saturday and Sunday. NO VEHICLES OR TRAILERS ARE ALLOWED ON GRASS OR WALKWAYS AT ANY TIME. All setup equipment, canopy, and your inventory must be carried/wheeled from the parking lot to your assigned booth space. Your booth space is approximately 12’ by 12’. This allows for your 10 x 10 tent and one foot on each side of your booth. Please plan to bring help if you need assistance for set-up. Assistance is not available. Any exhibitor who does not abide by these rules will not be invited to return.  

4. All set up materials must be provided by the exhibitor. Due to Insurance Regulations, no guy wires will be allowed. This is an outdoor festival and the ground may not always be level or flat. The festival will be held rain or shine (no cancellation) and closing early is not allowed. Each exhibitor will be responsible for his/her own protective covering and securing his/her canopy in case of inclement weather or high winds. Forty pound weights on each corner are recommended.

5. Take down times will be strictly adhered to. The official closing time is 4:00PM Sunday. All exhibitors will completely knock-down and pack up all display, merchandise and tents before bringing their vehicle to the loading area. Again, no vehicles or trailers are allowed on the grass or walkways at any time. All exhibitors must clean up their space before leaving.

6. Booths must be manned by the registered primary artist/craftsman. All tables must be completely draped to the ground. Each booth must be kept clean. No discounting of products is allowed and no solicitation or high-pressured sales. ALL sales activity is confined to the marked booth area. No display of previous show awards. No audio advertising or music permitted. No exhibitor or display may extend beyond the front or side booth marks.

7. ABSOLUTELY NO PETS OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE ALLOWED IN PARK per Meeks Park rules. Please follow all posted Park Rules. No bikes, balls, bats, fishing poles, skateboards, etc. are allowed in festival area. No boom boxes, stereos, noisemakers. Demonstrations of musical instruments and art & craft demonstrations that make noise are allowed only upon PRIOR approval by the Show Chairman. This includes the use of generators.

8. There will be a security guard on duty within the festival area Friday & Saturday nights. However, as per the signed application form, The High Country Artisans, Inc., Union County, and the Union County Recreation Department shall in no way be held responsible for any injury, damages, or theft.

9. Each exhibitor is responsible for paying their own Georgia State Sales Tax. The Sales Tax in Union County is 7%. 

10. The High Country Artisans reserve the right to ask any exhibitor to leave the show for any reason that the organization deems appropriate or for failure to abide by any rules. A signed application constitutes a contract, requiring exhibitors to follow all rules and regulations and is a commitment to participate if accepted.

DIRECTIONS: GPS address for the entrance to Meeks Park is 100 Meeks Park Rd. It is located on the south side of Hwy 76/515, 0.7 mile west of the Hwy 129 & 76 traffic light & directly across the Hwy from the North GA Tech College campus.

Due to the preponderance of scam emails trying to solicit money or sell vendor lists to our vendors, please note High Country Artisans, Inc. does not sell vendor lists to any individual group nor promotion-based agency.  Please do not send money to any solicitor, and it is suggested that you delete this type of email and not open any attachments sent to you in conjunction with their requests. If you have any question about any payment request, please check with High Country Artisans, Inc. first. Via email: butternutcreekfestival@gmail.com or our website: www.butternutcreekfestival.com