Artist & Vendor Marketplace Application

About the Event

Join us for Made in Gastonia: An Arts & Creativity Festival, part of Gaston County Arts Month! This new festival celebrates local creativity through hands-on art activities, local artists and makers, food as art experiences, live music, food trucks and more.

Our theme is “Made by artists. Made by makers. Made by you.” We want to bring the community together for a fun, creative day in downtown Gastonia.

About the Artist & Vendor Marketplace

The Artist & Vendor Marketplace is an opportunity for businesses, artists, makers and organizations to connect with festival attendees, showcase their products and sell their goods.

We welcome vendors offering handmade products, original artwork, crafts, jewelry, clothing, accessories, home décor, gifts and other merchandise that fits the festival atmosphere. We also welcome select local businesses and community organizations.

This event is not intended for direct sales or solicitation-based businesses, including home improvement and exterior service sales (such as roofing and gutter services), or direct-sales companies (such as consultant based businesses.)

This application is for vendors who primarily wish to sell products, promote their business or share information about their organization. Artists interested in demonstrating their creative process and working on their art during the festival should apply for the separate Meet the Makers opportunity.

Food trucks and prepared-food vendors must apply through the designated food vendor application.

Event & Vendor Information

• Event date: Saturday, April 17, 2027
• Event hours: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Location: Rotary Pavilion, Downtown Gastonia
• Vendor setup: Specific arrival and setup instructions will be provided to approved vendors.
• Booth fee: $30 (downtown Gastonia businesses are free- contact event organizer for code)
• Space assignment: Booth locations will be assigned by the event organizer.
• Application process: Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance. Applications will be reviewed for suitability, product variety and overall event fit.
• Vendor attendance: Approved vendors must be set up and ready to operate by the designated opening time and remain for the duration of the event unless otherwise approved by the organizer.

What Can I Sell or Promote?

We are looking for vendors whose products and offerings complement an arts and creativity festival. Examples include:

• Handmade goods and crafts
• Original artwork, prints and illustrations
• Jewelry and accessories
• Clothing and textiles
• Home décor and gifts
• Creative and art-related products
• Local retail businesses
• Nonprofit and community organizations
• Other products or services approved by the event organizer

The City reserves the right to limit duplicate products and decline applications that do not fit the event.

Application Requirements

Applicants should be prepared to provide accurate business and contact information, describe the products or services they plan to offer, and submit photographs of their products or booth display when requested.

Please provide a complete description of your offerings. Applications with limited information may be harder to evaluate.

Important Information

• Vendors may only sell or promote the products, services or organization described in their approved application.
• Vendors must provide their own display materials, tables, chairs, tents, weights and other booth equipment unless otherwise specified by the organizer.
• Booth dimensions, available amenities, setup procedures and any applicable restrictions will be communicated to approved vendors.
• Electricity is not guaranteed. Any electrical needs must be disclosed in the application and approved in advance.
• Vendors are responsible for obtaining any licenses, permits or approvals applicable to their business and products.
• Vendors must keep their booth area clean and remove their belongings and trash at the end of the event.
• Vendors may not sublet, share or transfer their assigned space without written approval.
• The City reserves the right to decline applications, limit product categories, or remove products or displays that are inconsistent with the event or its rules.

Application Review

Applications will be reviewed by the City of Gastonia Parks and Recreation Department. Acceptance is not guaranteed, and booth space is limited. Applicants will be notified of the decision through Eventeny.

Booth Information 

• Booth set up/break down information:
  • Individual vendor booth area is 10ft x 10ft.
  • Vendors will be set up in the Rotary Pavilion parking lots. You will be able to pull one vehicle up to your spot at a time and unload. As soon as you unload, you need to move your car to a parking lot nearby (parking lot on 321 or lot between S. South St. and 321.)
  • Vendors are responsible for providing their own table(s), chair(s), and tent. Tents must not exceed 10ft x 10ft and they must be secured with tent weights or sandbags.
  • Only space is provided. If you need power (one outlet), the extra fee is $15.
  • Do not block private drives, entrances, or doors. Be respectful of private property.
  • Booth set up will at 9:00 AM. A final, confirmed time will be sent out at least two weeks prior to the event.
  • Booth breakdown is no earlier than 3:00PM and must be completed no later than 4:00PM.You will not be able to bring any vehicles into the pavilion parking lots until the crowds have cleared.
  • It is the responsibility of the vendor to keep the booth and surrounding area clean. Each vendor shall leave the area in the same condition as it was found.
  • Vendor booths serving food:
    • Vendor booths may not grill, cook or smoke any food on-site. 
• Vendors are required to adhere to all applicable laws and provisions established by North Carolina, Gaston County Health Department, and the City of Gastonia Police and Fire Departments. Vendors shall adhere to all federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations applicable to its business.
• All vendor activities must be suitable for a family event. Offensive materials, ads, or public displays will be removed and participation refused.
• The site map, set up information and timeline will be sent via Eventeny at least two weeks prior to the event.

Please review the attached event vendor policy for a complete list of rules, regulations and vendor allowances. 

Application deadline: March 14, 2027

This is an electronic agreement and by signing, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically. Payment will be charged to card after application is approved. 

Thank you for your interest in being part of Made in Gastonia!

By signing the vendor application, you agree to all rules and regulations outlined in the Event Policy document and on the vendor application. 

Hold Harmless Clause and Insurance

All authorized vendors participating in the Event shall be individually and severally responsible to the City of Gastonia for any loss, bodily or personal injury, deaths, and/or property damage that may occur as a result of the vendor's negligence or that of its servants, agents, and employees. All vendors hereby agree to indemnify and save the City of Gastonia, its officers, and employees harmless from any loss, cost, damages, and other expenses, including attorney's fees, suffered or incurred by reason of the vendors' negligence or that of its servants, agents and employees; provided that the vendors shall not be responsible nor required to indemnify the City of Gastonia for negligence of its officers or employees. No insurance is provided by the City of Gastonia to participants in the Event. Participating vendors will be required to provide a signature in acknowledgement of this clause on the vendor application.