2027 Artisan Application

Criteria for Eligibility

· All artwork submitted must be original work by the artist. Work created from commercial kits or buy/sell goods are NOT allowed.

· Work using licensed images or characters is subject to copyright law or fair use/parody rule.  Any art deemed improperly using copyrighted images or characters (including sports team logos, brand names, and trademarked characters) will not be allowed. 

· Licensed character fabric should not be used.

Selection Process

Acceptance to the festival is based on the quality and originality of work as represented by the submitted images and descriptions. It is in your best interest to submit images that are clear and high quality so as to represent you and your art properly. Selections are made based on what is submitted this year. Prior acceptance to Fairport Canal Days does not guarantee continued acceptance.

The selection committee reserves the right to accept or deny applicants as they see fit. Decisions of the selection committee are final. 

***Any violation of the Fairport Canal Days rules during previous participation will remove you from consideration.  

Best of Show Award

Judges will anonymously visit booths to select a Best of Show winner which will be awarded Sunday. Selections are made based on creativity and quality of art, as well as display appearance. The winning artisan will receive automatic acceptance to the 2028 festival, and a free single booth space for 2028, along with advertising on our website and other media.

Booth Spaces and Placement

Each exhibitor will be assigned a 10’ wide by 10’ deep booth space. A maximum of two booth spaces may be requested. If a double space is assigned, you MUST utilize both spaces (i.e. two 10'x10' tents, or one 10'x10' tent with displays in the remaining space). No artisan may request a second booth space with the intent to leave it open. 

Electricity is NOT available. Portable power supplies are allowed if they are silent and fume free. Wifi is NOT provided and we cannot guarantee it will be available. Please plan accordingly. 

Requests for previous locations will be honored whenever possible, but are not guaranteed. Please list any specific reasons for a location request on your application and they will be taken into consideration as much as possible. Changes occur each year in regard to festival property, merchant and sponsor  locations, and the general layout of Canal Days. Much careful thought goes into placement for this large festival, and your flexibility is appreciated. Placement decisions are final.

Tents/Equipment

Exhibitors must provide their own 10’ x 10’ tents, tables, chairs and weights.  Please note—NO tents over 10’ x 10’ can be accommodated in single booth spaces. Weights are required on each leg of your tent. No stakes are allowed on any of the festival property. 

This is an outdoor show, so exhibitors must be prepared for any sort of weather (especially wind). Be prepared to display on uneven surfaces or mixed terrain - cement, grass, and/or pavement. Rain tarps, plastic sheeting, and extra weights should all be planned for in case of inclement weather. This is a rain or shine show, and participants are required to participate the full length of the festival hours. Leaving early is not acceptable unless approved by a Fairport Canal Days committee member.

Setup & Breakdown

Booth setup begins at 6am Saturday morning.  Artisans must check in before setting up.  No Friday setup is allowed. Vehicles should be unloaded and removed promptly.  Breakdown begins no earlier than 5pm on Sunday.

Main Street will be closed to traffic by 9am on both days and will be reopened at the discretion of the Fairport Police Chief at the close of each festival day.  Liftbridge Lane East will be closed for the duration of the festival. By law, vehicles are not to be moved on any festival property during this time until allowed by the Fairport Police Chief.

Planning for Overnight

All artisans and vendors are expected to close up their booths overnight in an effort to protect their goods. It is strongly suggested that tent canopies be lowered and weighted, and that merchandise is either covered and secured, removed from the premises, or locked in vehicles overnight. Limited security will be provided on the festival site overnight, but it is up to the artisan to do what they can to avoid theft and weather damage. Fairport Canal Days, The Fairport Perinton Merchants Association, and The Village of Fairport will not be held responsible for any loss or damage of goods left out overnight due to theft or weather.

Pets

Fairport Canal Days is a pet free show. Any artists who bring their pets to the show with them will be asked to remove them during the festival hours. Please let us know if you need local kenneling information.

Tax ID Certificates

All exhibitors must have a current New York State sales tax number, and must display their sales tax certificate during the show. For information on getting a tax ID number, go to: 

http://www.tax.ny.gov/bus/st/register.htm   There is usually no cost to obtain a tax ID number, but please allow time for processing prior to the festival.

Insurance Certificates

Insurance certificates are required for all accepted interactive activities (ie: children’s activities). It is suggested that all exhibitors hold liability insurance. A liability insurance certificate from your provider must name the following two festival sponsors as certificate holders:

Fairport Perinton Merchants Association

6 North Main St. 

Fairport, NY  14450

       AND

The Village of Fairport

31 South Main St. 

Fairport, NY  14450

Upload this documentation to your application. 

Consumable Products

All artisans selling a consumable product will need to provide proof of proper food licensing. Please email documentation to info@fairportcanaldays.com.

Tasting and Sampling of Products

Any artisan who intends to serve samples will need to obtain a Monroe County Tasting and Sampling Permit. Monroe County will inspect your booth and you will need to have your permit readily available. To obtain a permit and for more information please visit  https://www.monroecounty.gov/files/health/eh/food/Tasting%20%26%20Sampling%20w%20Hand%20Wash%20Setup.pdf . 

Payment/Fees

Non-refundable Application Fee                         $30

Single Booth Space (10’ x 10’)                           $300

Double Booth Space (10’ x 20’)                          $600

Late Fee (for applying after Jan. 15th)               $50

Application Requirements

You must include FIVE images with your application. THREE photos of your work, ONE photo of you in the process of creating your work, and ONE photo of your display. If you do not have a booth display image, you may photograph an approximation of your booth set-up in your home. 

It is important that your images give a clear overview of ALL products you intend to bring and sell at Fairport Canal Days. Only items comparable with those shown in the photographs may be sold during the festival. 

Your application will not be reviewed by the selection committee until it is complete, including payment.

Conditions and Liabilities

All artists, exhibitors, and vendors must adhere to the rules listed in this document or risk being excluded from future events.

Booths must remain open for the entire duration of the festival—no late start or early ending.  

The Fairport Canal Days Festival, the Fairport Perinton Merchants Association, and the Village of Fairport will not be held responsible for damage or loss to an exhibitor’s property or goods due to theft, vandalism, adverse weather conditions or improper set-ups, or personal injury suffered during, or as a result of, participation in Fairport Canal Days.  Exhibitors must stay open for business despite rain or inclement weather. 

Deadlines

Completed applications and payments are due by January 15, 2027. Applications received after this date will be considered only after timely entries have been reviewed, and if accepted, will be awarded placement based on remaining available spaces. A late fee of $50 is required when applying past the January 15th deadline.