Arts and Craft Vendor Application

Welcome to the event! Browse through our application and let us know if you have any questions. This is an electronic agreement and by completing this application, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically. The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN's 42nd Annual Main Street Festival is a highly-anticipated, annual tradition held in the historic downtown of Franklin, Tennessee.
 
Main Street Festival is expected to attract 120,000+ visitors.  In most years, the event features more than 200 high-quality arts and crafts vendors, superb entertainment, great food, and fun for the entire family. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

The following information is provided for vendors to submit applications for the Main Street Festival event.  If the application is accepted, the application and the terms set forth below will constitute a binding legal contract between the vendor and the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County.

Festival Dates and Times:
Saturday, April 25, 2026; 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday, April 26, 2026; 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM 

Festival will proceed rain, snow or shine except in unsafe conditions. Refunds will not be issued in the event of postponement or cancelation due to inclement weather. 

Application Submission Requirements

• All applications must be submitted through Eventeny.

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

•  All work must be original, handcrafted, and created by the applying artist or approved collaborative team.

• Collaborative teams are limited to no more than two artists.

• A nonrefundable $40 application fee is required for each application submitted.

Each application must include five digital images:

• Three images clearly showing the work the artist intends to exhibit
• One image of a fully assembled booth display (required for jury consideration)
• One image of the artist’s workspace or studio

Applications missing required images may not be considered by the jury.

Acceptance & Jury Process

Vendors are selected through a juried application process following the application deadline. Applications are reviewed based on originality, handcrafted quality, craftsmanship, presentation, and overall fit within the festival.

Acceptance notifications will be sent via Eventeny. Acceptance to a previous Main Street Festival or other Heritage Foundation festivals does not guarantee acceptance to future festivals.

The Festival is committed to showcasing original, handcrafted work created by the applying artist or approved collaborative team. To maintain this standard, the jury reserves the right to:

• Limit the number of vendors in any given category
• Decline applications that do not meet originality, handcrafted, quality, or category standards
• Consider diversity of media, style, and price point when making final selections

Applications are evaluated solely on the materials submitted. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that images and descriptions accurately represent the work to be exhibited.

All jury decisions are final. The Festival reserves the right to revoke acceptance if an applicant’s work is found to be inconsistent with the submitted application, jury standards, or festival policies.

Booth Fees

• $40 nonrefundable application fee
• $450 per 10x10 booth space
• $75 electrical fee (advance purchase; limited availability)
• $95 electrical fee if added during the festival

Premium or corner booth pricing is not offered. All booths are equally priced.

Important Dates

• March 6, 2026 — Application deadline
• March 13, 2026 — Acceptance notifications sent
• March 20, 2026 — Booth & electricity fees processed via Eventeny
• April 2, 2026 — Final date to cancel participation and receive booth fee refund minus $50 administrative charge

Festival Schedule
Friday, April 24
8:30 p.m.–10:00 p.m. — Vendor Check-in at HF Tent & Booth Setup

Saturday, April 25
6:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m. — Vendor Check-in & Booth Setup

8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m. — Fire Marshal & City Inspections

10:00 a.m. — Festival Opens

6:00 p.m. — Festival Ends

8:30 p.m. — Restocking Permitted

Sunday, April 27

10:00 a.m. — Festival Opens

6:00 p.m. — Festival Ends

6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. — Festival Breakdown

8:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. — Streets Reopen

Original & Handcrafted Work Requirement
All artwork and products must be original, handcrafted, and created by the applying artist or approved collaborative team.

The following are not permitted:

• Imported goods
• Commercially mass-produced or factory-manufactured items
• Kits, flea market items, or resale merchandise
• Items made using commercially purchased casts, molds, or patterns
• Pre-manufactured or factory-sewn clothing

Limited exceptions may be considered only when the artist can clearly demonstrate substantial personal modification as an integral part of the creative process. Final determination rests with the Festival jury and staff.

Handmade Verification & Proof of Production
Due to the increased availability of mass-produced goods through wholesale and fast-retail marketplaces, the Festival has implemented additional verification requirements to protect the integrity of the Arts & Crafts program and the artists who create their work by hand.

Certain product categories require proof of production during the application process, including but not limited to:

• Jewelry
• Crochet/knit items and plush
• Laser-cut items
• Stickers, prints, and digital art
• Tumblers and sublimation or vinyl products
• Candles and bath/body care
• Leather goods
• Pet accessories
• Toys and plush
• Wood signs

Required uploads may include:

• A photo of the artist’s workspace or studio clearly showing tools, materials, and works in progress
• A brief process video (preferred and may be requested to complete jury review)
• Submitted materials may be reviewed using reverse image searches and AI-supported verification tools to confirm originality and ensure items are not commercially mass-produced.

Applications that do not submit required proof or that indicate resale or mass production may be declined. Application fees are nonrefundable.

Licensing Requirement
All merchandise referencing protected characters, brands, logos, or sports teams must be properly licensed. Unlicensed or “fan-made” items are prohibited and may result in immediate removal without refund and restriction from future festivals.

Artisan & Craftsman Demonstrators
Vendors interested in serving as live Artisan or Craftsman Demonstrators must email Festival Staff with a brief description of their proposed demonstration. Once reviewed and approved, demonstrators will receive guaranteed Main Street placement and complimentary electricity via a coupon code.

Eligible categories include Jewelry, Painting, Furniture Making, Metalworking, Woodworking, Pottery, Ceramics, Textiles (including Quilting, Spinning, Weaving, and Rug Braiding or Hooking), and other traditional crafts.

Exclusions:

Demonstrations must show the process of creating the product. Demonstrations of finished products or product application (e.g., permanently affixing jewelry) do not qualify. Video or pre-recorded demonstrations are not permitted.

Booth Assignment & Placement
We understand that booth placement is important to vendors and that many artists have preferences based on past experiences or business needs. While we strive to create a fair, engaging, and balanced festival layout, booth assignments are determined by Festival Staff and cannot be guaranteed based on request.

Placement decisions consider multiple factors, including category balance, street layout, safety requirements, accessibility, demonstrations, activation zones, and overall festival flow.

Booth numbers will be assigned and emailed approximately two weeks prior to the festival. Once issued, booth assignments are final. Refunds will not be granted due to dissatisfaction with booth placement.

Booth Setup & Regulations

• Vendors must supply a freestanding white 10x10 tent
• All tents must be weighted with a minimum of 40 lbs per leg (City of Franklin requirement)
• Tent legs may not be staked into pavement
• No amplified sound is permitted
• Overstock may not be stored on sidewalks
• Tents using open flames must have a fully charged ABC fire extinguisher
• Vendors failing inspection may not be permitted to operate.

Rules & Conduct

• Artists must be present and operational during all festival hours
• Early breakdown is prohibited and may affect eligibility for future festivals
• Exhibited work must match the quality, category, and body of work approved by the jury
• All work must be available for sale
• No offensive, discriminatory, sexual, or drug-related merchandise or materials are permitted
• Artists are expected to maintain professional conduct at all times

Liability & Weather Disclaimer
Festival will proceed rain, snow or shine except in unsafe conditions. Refunds will not be issued in the event of postponement or cancelation due to inclement weather. Vendors participate at their own risk and are responsible for securing merchandise, displays, and maintaining appropriate liability insurance commensurate with their operations. Festival organizers are not liable for weather-related damages, losses, or disruptions to vendor operations.

Festival management reserves the right to remove any vendor whose conduct or merchandise violates festival policies or disrupts the event. Local law enforcement may be engaged if necessary.

By submitting an application, the applicant acknowledges that they have read, understand, and agree to comply with all festival policies, procedures, rules, terms, and conditions outlined in this application and any additional vendor materials provided by the Festival.

Additional Documents
Applicants are encouraged to review the following documents available within the application:

• Jury Details for Festivals
• Rules and Regulations for Festivals