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What is the Vendor Fee? 

A: $100 

 

What are the 2024 season’s festival dates?

A: April, May, September & October (see Event Calendar for all upcoming dates).

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How do I apply to be a vendor at BMA State Street Festivals?

A: Fill out our vendor application below

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How do I know if I have been approved? 

A: An event coordinator will reach out to the email provided to confirm your application approval, within 7-10 business days. 

 

What should I do if I did not receive and email confirmation regarding my application approval within 7-10 business days?

A: Follow up with the State Street Festival event coordinator, Shayna Cullen @BristolArtFair@gmail.com Note that your reservation is not complete without a confirmation and your table fee payment has been received.

 

What does the venue provide? 

A: 

• Live music all day

• A 10’ x 10’ space per reservation

• Police detail provided for your safety

• Public bathrooms on-site

• Handicap Accessible bathrooms on-site

• Handicapped parking will be available to vendors (reservation required)

• Free Public Parking available to vendors

• Volunteers will be available to help anyway we can

• Media Marketing Materials 

 

What are vendors required to provide?

A:

• Completed Vendor Application

• Minimum of 3 examples of goods/artwork for sale

• Paid Table Fee prior to event deadline

• Valid RI Sales Permit

• 10’x10’ Tent 

• Tent Weights - **Our waterfront location can be windy**

• Table(s)

• Tent table elevators - (recommended only) **State Street is on a slight incline**

• Cash (for making change) / Electronic Payment Devices

• Prices must be clearly marked

 

Is this an indoor/outdoor event?

A: This is an outdoor RAIN or SHINE event (will cancel under dangerous circumstances only)

 

What is the Venue Address?

A: We are located at lower State in downtown Bristol Harbor. We also use our secondary location, at adjacent Rockwell Park on Thames Street, for vendor overflow.  You can GPS: 1 State Street Bristol, RI, for a reference point. 

 

Is there access to electricity?

A: No.

 

Is there access to Wi-Fi?

A: No.

 

Is there free parking?

A: Yes. Free Parking is first come first serve, at a number of areas surrounding the festival route, including on: Hope St, Thames St, upper State St and all marked surrounding areas. Vendors will receive a parking pass to put in your windshield that allows you to park in all legal and limited time parking areas, per Bristol Police Department. This does not allow parking in illegal areas such as unauthorized handicapped only, Marina and other spots requiring permits. 

 

How do I get a One Day Vendor Parking Pass?

A: Parking passes will be emailed to vendors prior to the event, along with the vendor maps. Volunteers will also have extras on site at the event.

 

Is the venue handicapped accessible?

A: Yes. Handicapped bathrooms are onsite. Handicapped parking is available for vendors upon request only.

 

Can I request to reserve more than one space?

A: Yes. Each space costs $100 for a 10’x10’ space. If you need a bigger space you must apply for a second space and pay an additional fee.

 

Can I share a table with another vendor and split the table fee?

A: Yes. Both vendors must apply and both must be approved to share a table space. A shared table request MUST be noted on both vendor’s applications. 

 

Can I request a preferred spot on the festival route?

A: Yes. Vendors can request a preferred spot, but approval is not guaranteed. All location requests and accommodations MUST be submitted with vendor’s application. We DO NOT make location changes after vendor maps have been released.

 

How do I request to change my spot if I do not like it?

A: DON’T. Event coordinators will reach out via email to confirm your reservation, prior to the map being set. Once the map is set, no changes will be made under any circumstance. 

 

Can I get a discounted table if I am a Charity?

A: Yes. The BMA has a lottery to choose one donated table per festival. All charities are welcome to apply for a donated table. Charities will be notified by the event coordinator whether their fee has been waived. 

 

How do I apply for a free charitable table?

A: Submit a Charitable Business Application (see link) 

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Can I get a discounted table if I am a student?

A: Yes. We donate one free table to one full-time student at each event. 

 

How do I apply for a free Student Table?

A: You must note your full-time student status on your Vendor Application.

 

Can I get a discounted table if I am a BMA Member and/or State Street Business?

A: Yes. We will discount active BMA Members and current State Street Business tables to $60 upon approval. 

 

How do I apply for a BMA Member/State Street Business Discounted Table?

A: Must Submit a BMA/State Street Business Application 

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How do I apply to become a BMA Member?

A: Must Submit a BMA Membership Application 

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How can the BMA help me advertise the event?

A: The BMA will manage event marketing using social media, posting to our BMA social media and website, local media outlets and also by posting physical posters and yard signs throughout the local area

 

How can the BMA help me advertise my business?

A: Upon request, the BMA will post Featured Vendor articles, including photos and business links, to our website and social media pages. Contact your event coordinator for details.

 

How can I help the BMA advertise the event?

A: All vendors will receive sharable event flyers via email. We encourage all vendors to participate in sharing the event marketing materials on your social media, on your websites and at other seasonal events you are attending. It is very helpful in getting the word out. 

 

What is the Weather Cancellation/Refund Policy for events cancelled due to bad weather? 

A:  BMA events are rain or shine event. Weather related cancellations are at our discretion, with safety as our top priority. Refunds are issued only in the event of a severe weather cancellation (with a transaction fee of $3.20 per fair refund) Severe Weather is categorized as: Hurricanes, Flood, Hail, Dangerous Winds over 30mph, Lightning. We do not refund vendors who choose to cancel for weather related reasons, or whom cancel within 14 days prior of the event. 

 

How do I know if an event has been cancelled due to Severe Weather? 

A: If we are forced to cancel due to reported severe weather, we will notify all vendors within 48 hours of the event. Vendors are refunded for severe weather cancellations only. 

 

How do I request a refund for Severe Weather cancellation?

A: Refunds will be issued in the form of your original payment, or you can choose to transfer your payment, in the form of a credit towards another State Street event. You must notify the event coordinator whether you prefer a refund or credit. You must also provide a valid mailing address for refunds. 

 

How long does it take to receive a Severe Weather refund?

A: Please allow 14 business days from when your refund request is verified. 

 

Are Pets allowed?

A: No. Legal Service pets only please. Please leave your fur babies at home due to the insurance liability.

 

Will food and beverages be available during the festival?

A: We do not provide food/beverage, but there are multiple restaurants, cafes and coffee shops open along the festival route. We recommend bringing food/water in case it is too busy to leave your station.