TurtleFest 2027 Marketplace Vendor Application

Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC), a nonprofit organization and sea turtle hospital located in Juno Beach, Florida. LMC is dedicated to promoting the conservation of ocean ecosystems, with a focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles through research, rehabilitation, education, and conservation. 

Event Overview
The 22nd Annual TurtleFest will be held on Saturday and Sunday, February 20–21st, 2027. TurtleFest attracts more than 16,000 community members and visitors. This event transforms Loggerhead Marinelife Center campus, Loggerhead Park and Ocean Drive into a two-day family-friendly festival featuring live music, food, and beverages, as well as shopping local vendors, children’s carnival rides/activities, educational presentations, artists, and more.

Event Highlights
Admission to TurtleFest 2027 is donation-based and open to all ages and backgrounds, resulting in higher attendance and increased visibility for your business. The event will feature performances by local musical acts, an emphasis on conservation and education, and the opportunity to reach the community on a large scale.

IMPORTANT DATES

Monday, November 2, 2026 (Application Deadline): Application closes at 11:59pm EST.
Friday, November 6, 2026 (Acceptance Deadline): Deadline for accepted vendors, exhibitors, and partners to formally accept their participation invitation.
Friday, November 20, 2026 (Payment Deadline): Full booth and accessory fees must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST to secure your space. All fees are non-refundable unless the event is canceled by LMC due to a force majeure event or circumstances entirely beyond the center's control.
Friday, January 15, 2027 (Insurance Deadline): All accepted vendors must submit a valid Certificate of Insurance (COI). Detailed compliance and submission instructions will follow acceptance.
Monday, February 1st, 2027 (Tent Side Requests Deadline): All requests and payments due by this date to secure tent siding. Detailed instructions will follow acceptance.

REVIEW ALL INFORMATION BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION:

**Interested applicants who do not meet these specific artistic or merchandising criteria, or would like to expand are encouraged to consider a festival sponsorship.

1.Vendor Policies
In alignment with Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s mission to protect ocean ecosystems and sea turtles, TurtleFest is a reduced-waste event. LMC requires all vendors to adhere to our sustainability policies.

• • Carry-In, Carry-Out: While we provide trash and recycling stations for attendees, vendors must haul out all of their own operational waste.
  • Keep Your Materials Ocean-Friendly: All merchandise for sale, giveaways, and associated packaging must be reusable, recyclable, or compostable. Single-use plastics (including plastic bags, utensils, cups, straws, etc.), Styrofoam, confetti, glitter, balloons, and feather boas are strictly prohibited. Please focus on locally produced products made from renewable resources or post-consumer up-cycled materials whenever possible.
  • Source Responsibly: To protect our marine environments, we do NOT allow products, artwork, clothing, or accessories made from unsustainably-sourced natural materials.
    • Permitted Sustainably-Sourced Materials: Items welcome made from sea glass, driftwood, fossilized shark teeth, and sustainable aquaculture byproducts such as oyster shells.
    • Prohibited Unsustainably-Sourced Materials: Standard seashells, white shark teeth, and any specimens or materials that were harvested from living organisms are strictly prohibited.

2. Marketplace Vendor Operations & Logistics

• Event Hours: All participants must remain fully operational on-site for the entire duration of the festival, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
• Booth Setup: A standard 10' x 10' tent is provided and included in your space. Vendors must supply their own tables, chairs, and display equipment. Tent sides are available for purchase.
• Power Availability: Electrical power is not supplied within the park. Quiet solar-powered, electric, or quiet traditional generators are permitted.
• Security: Overnight security will be stationed within Loggerhead Park from setup through teardown. However, vendors are entirely responsible for protecting their materials from weather and theft. Loggerhead Marinelife Center, the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, VIA Productions, and all associated event production parties are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.
• Safety & Prep: Palm Beach County Fire and Rescue and EMS will be present on-site for the entire event. Public water stations will be active around the festival, and food will be available for purchase. Vendors must bring a reusable water bottle for personal use.
• *COI Required: All participating organizations are required to obtain a Certificate of Insurance (COI) for this event. Compliance details and submission instructions will be provided upon application acceptance.

3. Eligibility and Application Process

• Who Can Apply: Open to environmental and marine-themed artists, apparel designers, jewelers, home accent makers, and unique merchandise vendors. Space is limited within each category to ensure a diverse, well-balanced marketplace.
• Alternative Participation: Interested applicants who do not meet these specific artistic or merchandising criteria, or would like to expand are encouraged to consider a festival sponsorship. Information on sponsorship opportunities can be found directly on the Loggerhead Marinelife Center TurtleFest website.
• Jury and Selection: Acceptance into the festival is juried based on the submission of three to five high-quality JPEG images or physical product samples, JPEG of tent set up. Special consideration is given to work that directly reflects and supports LMC's mission of ocean conservation.
• Review Timeline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Please allow two weeks from your submission date to receive an application status notification via email.

4. Fees and Booth Amenities

• Standard Booth Fee: $500 for both days (includes the provided 10' x 10' tent).
• Corner Booths: Available for an additional fee, subject to availability and approval.
• Tent Sides: Available for purchase at $20 per side. Siding must be reserved and paid for according to the critical deadlines below.

5. Securing Your Space & Critical Deadlines
If accepted, approved vendors must meet the following timeline to secure participation. Failure to meet these deadlines will result in the immediate forfeiture of your booth space.

• Monday, November 2, 2026 (Application Deadline): Application closes at 11:59pm EST.
• Friday, November 6, 2026 (Acceptance Deadline): Deadline for vendors, exhibitors, and partners to formally accept their participation invitation.
• Friday, November 20, 2026 (Payment Deadline): Full booth and accessory fees must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST to secure your space. All fees are non-refundable unless the event is canceled by LMC due to a force majeure event or circumstances entirely beyond the center's control.
• Friday, January 15, 2027 (Insurance Deadline): All accepted vendors must submit a valid Certificate of Insurance (COI). Detailed compliance and submission instructions will follow acceptance.
• Monday, February 1st, 2027 (Tent Side Requests Deadline): All requests and payments due by this date to secure tent siding. Detailed instructions will follow acceptance.

6. Vendor Communications and Promotion

• Logistics/Updates: All official updates—including check-in times, load-in logistics, and promotional assets—will be sent exclusively via email. Please check your inbox regularly.
• On-Site Media: LMC’s Marketing Team will be capturing content throughout the weekend to feature our partners on our social media platforms. Unless requested otherwise, your application submission grants approval for your business to be featured. We highly encourage you to showcase your own eco-friendly efforts and promote your participation in TurtleFest as a proud, reduced-waste partner!

7. Your Participation Makes a Difference

• Promoting the Event: To help you spread the word, all participating vendors will receive a digital marketing packet filled with promotional assets to showcase your involvement and market the event to your own audience.
• Thank You For Your Interest! By reserving your vendor booth at TurtleFest, you share your message, craft, and services with thousands of passionate attendees while directly supporting the protection of threatened and endangered sea turtles.

We look forward to reviewing your application.

Terms and Conditions

By submitting an application and/or participating in TurtleFest 2027, the applicant (“Participant”) agrees to the following:

Acceptance
Participation is subject to approval by Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) at its sole discretion. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance.

Payment
All fees must be paid in full by the stated deadline to secure participation. Failure to submit payment may result in forfeiture of space. All fees are non-refundable unless the event is canceled by LMC or affected by a force majeure event or other circumstances beyond LMC’s control.

Event Participation
Participants must operate during all event hours (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., both days February 20th & 21st, 2027). Early breakdown or unauthorized departures will directly impact eligibility for participation in future events, unless necessitated by severe inclement weather or extreme, unavoidable circumstances.

Compliance
Participants must adhere to all TurtleFest policies, including reduced-waste requirements. Prohibited items include non-recyclable, non-compostable, or single-use materials, as well as products unethically derived from marine life. Refer to vendor policies stated above.

Sales Restrictions
Only approved items may be sold or distributed during the event. Educational Exhibitors and Community Partners participating under the fee-exempt community partner category may not sell merchandise or other items without prior written approval from LMC.

Setup & Equipment
Tents will be provided. Participants are responsible for their own equipment and setup. Electricity will NOT be provided; electric/solar panel generators are permitted.

Liability
Participants assume all risks associated with personal injury, property loss, or damage incurred during the event. Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC), the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, Via Productions, and all associated event production partners shall not be held liable for any claims, losses, or damages arising from participation in TurtleFest.

Weather
TurtleFest is a rain-or-shine event. No refunds will be issued due to weather conditions, except in the case of a force majeure event—unforeseen circumstances beyond Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s control that make holding the festival impossible or unsafe.

Media Release
Participation constitutes consent for LMC to photograph and use images of booths, products, and Participants for promotional purposes unless otherwise requested in writing.

Conduct
LMC reserves the right to remove any Participant for failure to comply with event policies or for inappropriate conduct, without refund.

Agreement
Submission of an application and/or payment constitutes full acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.