Vendors & Sponsor Vendor Applications

Applications will be open until Sept 12 11:59PM. Applications are subject to close early should there be a large amount of applications.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis during the application open period, and up to a week (7 days) after the applications close. Please allow up to one week (7 days) after your application has been submitted for review. 

There will be options for vendor placement, as well as sponsor vendors, that will determine the pricing of the booths available. We would also like to offer a discount to those who are willing to volunteer to either setup or cleanup the festival with us for at least an hour either way. Many hands make light work!

AI art policy:

Please note that we do not allow prominently AI art booths. We believe Kawaii culture comes from the heart, and is often reflected in handmade and traditional works that exhibit unique personality that AI simply can't replicate. Booths that show art pieces that are entirely or mostly generated using AI will be rejected. We ask for art booths to please show examples of your art process for at least one piece (like WIP photos) to verify authenticity that your work is your own. WIP videos on your socials or websites are even better! If this is not provided, we will be reverse image searching and using AI art checkers and plagrarism checkers websites to verify your works. Even with these checks, online checkers do not catch everything. If we are notified about prominently AI art at your booth during the event, you will be asked to remove the AI piece. If multiple items at your booth are AI pieces, you will be asked to leave the event early due to our non AI art policy.

All vendors & artists must present at least 80% of their table with Kawaii products. Per the internet definitions: "Kawaii is a Japanese cultural phenomenon which emphasizes cuteness, childlike innocence, charm, and simplicity. The kawaii aesthetic is characterized by soft or pastel (usually pink, blue, and white) colors, rounded shapes, and features which evoke vulnerability, like chibis, and has become a prominent aspect of Japanese popular culture, influencing entertainment (including toys and idols), fashion (such as Lolita fashion), advertising, and product design." Think Hello Kitty/Sanrio, Shoujo manga, overly cute art, pastel colored and soft styled j-fashion clothing, etc.

We will have limited food vendor spots - once full, we can only accept waitlists. We currently only plan for one food vendor, but may be able to have two.

General Information:

• We recommend vendors bring a water bottle, a snack, and some change for cash purchases, as well as a sign of what payment methods you accept. We recommend bringing a table cloth for your table, and signage of your booth name, and pricing (could be a price chart, stickers, etc).
• Setup
  • We will begin setup of the festival at 12pm. Vendors are welcome to start their setup at 2pm. The festival opens to the public at 4pm. Vendors are able to pull up their vehicles to the Anime Paradaisu parking lot until about 3:30 to unload. Please park your vehicles either on the street or at the Oak Park Shopping Center lot across the street once you've finished unloading. If you are running late, please do not pull up your vehicle after 3:30, but you may park in the nearby parking along the street or near the Info booth at the front of the lot to unload.
  • We will put any requested tents, tables, and chairs in your designated spot for you to setup by 2pm. Volunteers will help with setup as vendors arrive. You can find volunteers and event staff at the Info booth near the front of the lot.
  • Vendors should be setup by 4pm when the event starts. You may use Anime Paradaisu's bathroom, but please note they have only a single stall restroom, so the wait may be awhile.
• Cleanup
  • The festival end time is 9pm. Vendors are allowed to pre-close as early as 8pm, and start packing at 8:30pm. 
  • Volunteers may help to pack up if you need assistance. If you are able, please fold up your rental chairs and tables, and leave them laying in your booth spot for us to pickup. If you are able, please also close up the tent, and lay it in your booth spot for pickup.
  • Please ensure you toss all your trash into trashcans along the sidewalk and picnic tables. We want to ensure the lot is as clean as we found it.

Vendors may come to the Info desk for a bottle of water at any time as long as supplies last. Please stay hydrated <3

The Info Desk is where you will find the Event Coordinator, Volunteers, water bottles, and is also where attendees can purchase activity booth game tickets, as well as start and end the Mononoke Kodama Scavenger Hunt. The Info Desk will be located near the front of the lot.

Service Animals are always allowed - so please be mindful of those who have service animals to not distract them from their job, and treat them with respect. People may also bring their personal pets. Many times, the animals are well behaved, but if any animals are overly reactive, please let a staff or volunteer know so we can ask them to leave the event,

By completing this form, you, the potential vendor, understand any information given will be privately viewed by the event organizer only to determine approval of the application, and for essential contact information to be given to the event organizer for event planinng communications.

Should your application be approved, you understand that a vendor fee is due to hold your place within one week (7 days) of your application approval. All vendor fees have a final due date of Sept 30th 2026.

You understand that the vendor fee will be non-refundable after Sept 30th 2026, as vendor fees will be allocated to event costs. Vendor fees are only refundable up to 50% of the collected fees or eligible to become transferrable to another event date after Sept 30th 2026 if the event is cancelled or moved to a rain date.

You understand this is an outdoor event, and thus are responsible for any weather related damages that may occur. The event organizer cannot control the weather, and thus is not liable for any inclement weather that may cut the event short or cause damages. It is highly reccomended to have business insurance to cover any damages that may occur, although not required. Should inclement weather occur during the event, you are allowed to pack up early to protect yourself.