The Chattanooga Market announces a new partnership with the International Bluegrass Music Association to organize and manage the Arts & Crafts Vendor Market during their World of Bluegrass events to be held in Chattanooga on Sept. 19-20. While the Chattanooga Market is specifically only booking vendors for the music festival portion of the event, interested vendor/participants for the indoor business expo at the convention center should contact the IBMA directly.
This will be the first year of the festival in Chattanooga, having most recently moved from Raleigh, N.C. where it had a very successful run for over a decade. Some event specifics and logistics are still being confirmed, but details will continue to be added online at World of Bluegrass. The festival organizers expect a crowd of 12-16,000 for it’s first year in Chattanooga.
Prospective arts & crafts vendors should inquire by filling out the official interest form. Interested vendors should note the following:
This call to action is specifically only for Arts & Crafts vendors, not food trucks or business expo participants.
The Arts & Crafts selection process will begin now, with strong favor given to producer/artisans who make and sell products which intuitively feel like a great fit for world-class bluegrass festival. The patrons will be in a bluegrass festival mood; offerings should be a complimentary fit.
Vendor setup will begin the afternoon of Thursday, Sept. 18. Twenty-four-hour onsite security will be provided until Sunday evening.
Festival hours will be both Friday, Sept. 19, and Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Joining the waiting list is at no charge. If selected there will be a $20 application fee to verify vendor insurance, business permits and any other legal requirement as mandated by city, county, state and federal statute. Chattanooga Market does require that all insurance, permits and similar documents be current and verified prior to festival participation.
Festival fees are $50 setup per day, plus 10 percent of sales commission, due daily. All setup fees must be paid prior to a vendor’s booth being added to the festival map/lineup.
Vendor capacity will be limited. It’s anticipated that 30-40 vendors will be accepted.
Anticipated Timeline:
June 1: waiting list opened
July 1: confirmation and scheduling process begins
Aug. 1: setup fees due
Sept. 1: booth assignments completed, maps confirmed and festival times finalized.
More information regarding the Chattanooga Market’s involvement can be found at ChattanoogaMarket.com/IBMA (which also includes the vendor interest form).