Local Wilson Businesses 2026
About the application
Welcome to the North Carolina Whirligig Festival! Browse through the application information, and let us know if you have any questions.
The NC Whirligig Festival is the largest annual event in Wilson, drawing more than 60,000 visitors to our town. We want all local businesses to embrace opportunities to invite customers into their stores and see an increase in revenue during the festival weekend and beyond. Whether downtown or around town, we encourage all local business owners to participate and consider becoming a Sponsor to increase your return on investment.
EARLY DEADLINE - August 7,2026 - In order to prioritize local businesses, applications are due 1 month before other vendor applications (of course the sooner the better.) We've had a wait list for the past two years - so submit as soon as you are able.
Local Vendor catergories:
- NEW - Wilson Local = $25 Application Fee + $325 Booth Fee
Business must be locally owned and operated and have a local Wilson County street address. For those that are a national or global brand - please refer to the Commercial Vendor applications.
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 5 downtown merchant categories: (same fees as 2024)
1. Store Open Listing only = $0 (no booth, no application, no fee)
This is only for downtown 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 prior to & 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 IN ZONE = $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 10 ft deep and15 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 Merchant ON PERIMETER = $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 = $225
($25 app fee + $200 fee - price reduced from 2025)
This option is available for businesses in the downtown area that pay the additional MSD taxes, but are not in the Zone or on a perimeter street. 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.
5. Downtown Restaurant/Pub - Any downtown restaurant, pub or food vendor that would like to have a food or beverage sales on the street/sidewalk/curb within the festival zone must apply with a Food Vendor category. Downtown food vendors, restaurants and pubs within the festival zone receive a 50% discount. To operate nomally, inside your establishment, requires no application. Restaurants outside the festival footprint will need to apply with a Food Vendor application.
Applications 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.
About the event
Terms & Conditions
Refer to the NC Whirligig Festival Vendor Policies and Guidelines.
Prices
| Local Wilson Business Vendor application fee | $25.00 | Non-refundable | There is a $25 non-refundable application fee which is charged upon application. |
| Wilson Around Town Business | $325.00 | Non-refundable | Available for locally owned and operated Wilson Businesses, not located within downtown. Must have a Wilson County street address. (Any chain, national or global brand would need to apply under Commercial Vendor.) |
| Downtown Merchant In Zone | $50.00 | Non-refundable | This selection is reserved for the Downtown Merchants located within the festival zone only. This assures you the space in front of your store will be open with no vendor assigned. The space is for you to set up a display and promote your business. We advise that you do not leave it empty, as it will simply appear as if a vendor is missing. Single booth space is 15 feet wide and 10 feet deep. This is for the use of a 10x10 ft tent. The extra space on the left and right are to provide storage between vendors. Your tent may not extend beyond 10 feet deep - this is set by fire code standards. If you need a wider booth, you may purchase a double or triple space as they are available. |
| Downtown Perimeter Steet | $100.00 | Non-refundable | This selection is available for Downtown Merchants located within 1 block of the festival zone. Typically, traffic is not blocked to your store location, but is affected. This category provides a single booth space within the festival zone. The single booth space is 15 feet wide and 10 feet deep. This is for the use of a 10x10 ft tent. The extra space on the left and right are to provide storage between vendors. Your tent may not extend beyond 10 feet deep - this is set by fire code standards. If you need a wider booth, you may purchase a double or triple space as they are available. |
| Downtown MSD Tax District | $200.00 | Non-refundable | This selection is available for Downtown Merchants located within the MSD at a discounted rate of 50% off the Commercial booth fee. This category provides a single booth space within the festival zone. A single booth is 15 feet wide and 10 feet deep. This is for the use of a 10x10 ft tent. The extra space on the left and right are to provide storage between vendors. Your tent may not extend beyond 10 feet deep - this is set by fire code standards. If you need a wider booth, you may purchase a double or triple space as they are available. |
| Double Booth space | $150.00 | Non-refundable | This is an additional fee added to your booth fee for extra space. The double booth space is 10 ft deep and 30 ft wide. This provides two single booth spaces side-by-side for larger displays. A limited number of double booth spaces are available. |
| Triple Booth space | $225.00 | Non-refundable | This is an additional fee added to your booth fee for the extra space. The triple booth space is the largest booth space allowed. The space is 10 ft deep and 45 feet wide. This is 3-single booth spaces side-by-side. We offer a limited number of triple booth spaces. |
| DWNTWN- Electrical Outlet (115v/15 amp - houshold outlet style) | $20.00 | Non-refundable | Refer to Electrical Outlet PDF. Your plug must match the outlet style. We do not adjust - bring your own adapter. Approximately half of the vendor booth spaces have ONE electrical outlet available. Vendors requesting electricity are strategically placed to provide utilities and a variety of vendors within each block of the festival. Electrical requests will be considered on a first come, first served basis. |
| Water access | $20.00 | Non-refundable | Access to water is limited and typically reserved for food vendors. However, requests will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Water access will at a corner fire hydrant. Vendors should bring 100 ft hose to reach booth. |
Questions on the application
Business information
- Business name
- Legal business name
- Contact name
- Address
- Phone
- Website
- Logo
Additional information
- Have you been a vendor with the Whirligig Festival before?
- What is the street address of your store/business location?
- Please provide a description of your business, items or services for sale and price range.
- Insurance
- NC Sales Tax ID Number
- How did you learn about the NC Whirligig Festival?
- By signing your name, you agree to our terms and conditions.
Picture requirements
- Minimum pictures required: 3
