Applications are Open the Following Dates:

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November Show: March 16 - April 30 Notified by May 22

February Show: Dec 1  Notified of status by Jan 10 

Spring Show: Feb 1 Notified of status on going

September Show: Feb 1 Notified of status on going

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All Communications come from kootenaychristmasfair@hotmail.com or aviva@kootenayartisanfair.com 

Please make sure our email address has been added to your contact list or check your junk mail.

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We do not allow Alcohol Vendors at any of our events

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Booth Sizes and Fee's

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Spring and February Event Held at the Nelson Prestige 59 Vendors

Unlike the Christmas event this show is curated not juried and is first come first serve for each category based on Quality of handmade wears 

1 Day event

6 foot tables $90 + Tax ($94.5) Includes Coffee, tea and food in the Mosley Room

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Harvest Market Event Held at Nelson Lakeside Park 100 Vendors

Unlike the Christmas event this show is curated not juried and is first come first serve for each category based on Quality of handmade wears 

1 Day event

10 x 10 booths no power $100 + Tax ($105)

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November Event Held at the Nelson Prestige This a Juried Event 52 Vendors

Booth Options for Nelson Prestige November Show only

Hall tables 6 foot table only, Friday – Sunday $175 + Tax

(6x6) in main room on a corner, Friday – Sunday $200 + Tax

(8 x 8) Friday – Sunday $230 Corner booth add $25 +Tax

(10 x 6) Friday – Sunday $255 Corner booth add $25 + Tax

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December Homespun Event Nelson Rod and Gun 33 Vendors

Unlike the Christmas event this show is curated not juried and is first come first serve for each category based on Quality of handmade wears 

2 Day event Friday and Saturday

With Power 8 Foot tables $125 + Tax

With out power 8 Foot tables $150 + Tax 

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Kootenay Artisan Fair Application Portfolio and Submission Outline

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Criteria for Jury November Event Only

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• No Alcohol vendors

• Hand Made, Quality, Crafted, One-of-a-kind

• No imports, pre-packaged, or "assembled" products

• No silk screening unless you do all the parts of the process including the making of the items being silk screened

• All clothing must be made by you

• Food safe and proper government labelling must be properly displayed and Food Safe Certificate must be present

• Must submit all items you wish to have juried

• Must reside in the Kootenay region

• No table sharing 

• Food Vendors must provide a sample for jury for the November Event only

 

The jury is made up of independent, professional, individuals with one or more (ex) art council members in attendance.

 

We jury the fair to keep in line with the standard that the Nelson and District Arts Council set for this show over a decade ago. Jury insures that the quality of the vendors is very high and that the product are local and made by hand from the individuals that are representing their products.

 

The jury criteria for successful applications are:

1. wares handcrafted

2. primarily original design

3. high quality of product

4. diversity of product and product category

5. affordability and sustainability

6. clarity and professionalism of application

7. personal location of vendor in relationship to the event location

Categories of items not juried will not be allowed to be sold (e.g. if you are a seamstress and you send us pictures of clothing and you also make bags but do not send us pictures of bags you will not be allowed to sell bags.)

 

 

Returning Vendors

If you are a returning vendor please only submit photos and product information for new items or the removal of past items.

 

 

Application & Acceptance Process November Event Only

The November Kootenay Artisan Fair is our ONLY juried show. Acceptance is based on the quality, originality and craftsmanship of the work to be sold. Other factors include booth layout, product packaging and the submission of a complete, accurate application. Categories are limited to avoid over saturation. Only those types of products or crafts submitted in your application may be sold or displayed at the Market. Please do not add a service or a product line that has not been adjudicated. If you do bring any items not juried, you will be asked to remove them from your booth.

 

Since we have so many applicants and there is currently very limited space, our Jury will not review applications from vendors who apply in multiple disciplines. If your product falls under multiple of our categories and they are not directly related your application may not be reviewed. For example if you want to sell soap, candy and pottery you will be looked over. If you sew and want to also sell lip balm and candles you will be looked over.

 

Portfolios/images

Portfolios will be used to jury your products. You can direct us to a website or your online presence for review. You must submit all products you wish to sell at the fair. Please be detailed in what products you wish to carry especially if you have more than 1 product represented on your website. Remember that the judges are looking at hundreds of photo’s so please be specific, or you may get looked over. If you do not send in sufficient information you may not be accepted, so please provide as much information as possible.

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Food Vendors November Show at the Prestige Only

Any vendors wishing to sell any food items must provide a sample of product for jury one week prior to the jury date for the November event only. No single serving food items will be allowed to be sold at the Prestige event due to the contract with the Hotel.

 

Food Vendors Harvest Market Event Held at Nelson Lakeside Park Only

Any vendors wishing to sell any food items must submit exactly what they wish to sell, If the concession open we are under regulations from the contract between them and the City of Nelson. We will have to submit each vendors ready to eat food application for their approval, Excluding: farmers, prepackaged food, meat and bread.

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Booth Sharing

Booth sharing is strictly prohibited. Anyone who shows up with product that was not juried or submitted with their application, will be asked to remove those items. This will also affect all future applications with the Kootenay Artisan Fair

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Photo submission

Photos can be summited via email or via social media. You must give clear direction to folders if you are submitting photos via social media. Please provide photographs showing full items as well as close ups of details. You must include prices

Please do not send sample items unless you do not require them to be returned. You must include prices points for all individual items. You must also include a detailed list of items if your line includes more than one type of product in your application.

 

 

Payment's, fees, and cancellation policy

Spring and February Event at the Prestige

Payment is due in full within 2 weeks of acceptance. If payment is not received by the cut-off date your space will be filled by the next vendor in your category who is on the waiting list.

 

November Show at the Prestige

Payment is due in full by Aug 1st. If payment is not received by the cut-off date your space will be filled by the next vendor in your category who is on the waiting list.

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December Homespun Event at the Rod and Gun

Payment is due in full by Oct 1. If you do not pay on time your space will go to the next qualified vendor on the wait list. We no longer accept cheques. E-transfers can be sent, (after you are billed) to positiveapparel@outlook.com Positive Apparel is registered for Direct Deposit.

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Harvest Market Event Held at Nelson Lakeside Park

TBA

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How to Pay

Monday to Saturday you can come in to Positive Apparel Thrift Store at 721 A Front St Nelson to pay via cash, or Interact. Please note we no longer accept cheques or credit cards due to the fee's.

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E-transfers are the preferred method of payment. Please use email positiveapparel@outlook.com We re now set up for direct deposit so please insure you have your invoice number in your e-transfer.

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GST is added to the price of the booth, you will be invoiced from one of our sponsors Positive Apparel. Your invoice is your receipt and includes your GST number.

 

Cancellation Policy

Spring and February Event

There are no refunds for this event

 

November Event at the Prestige

Deadline for cancellations is September 1.  Cancellation prior to September 1st will receive a refund minus a $25.00 processing fee. Cancellations after September 1st forfeit entire registration fee.

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December Homespun Event at the Rod and Gun

If the event is canceled do to Covid restrictions all booth fee's will be returned in full. Refunds will be available until Nov 1 Minus a $25 admin Fee. After Nov 1 there will be no refunds.

 

 

Market Hours:

(February Show)

           7:00 am – 10:00 am – Set up

          10:00 am – 6:00 pm Market Open

 

(Spring Show)

           7:00 am – 10:00 am – Set up

          10:00 am – 6:00 pm Market Open

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Harvest Market Event Held at Nelson Lakeside Park

           7:00 am – 10:00 am – Set up

          10:00 am – 4:00 pm Market Open

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November Event at the Prestige

Friday           7:00 am - 10:30 am – Set up

                     10:00 am - TBA pm - Market Open

Saturday      10:00 am - TBA pm - Market Open

Sunday        10:00 am - 5:00 pm - Market Open

                     5:00 pm – Take Down

 

December Homespun Event at the Rod and Gun

Friday           7:00 am - 10:00 am – Set up

                     10:00 am - 8:00 pm - Market Open

Saturday      10:00 am - 5:00 pm - Market Open

                     5:00 pm – Take Down

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Booth Set up and Power

Spring and February Event at the Prestige

All booths are 6 feet long and 4 feet deep if you require more space you must purchase a second spot. It is expected that you sell your items off a 6 foot table. If this is not the case make sure to communicate your needs to Aviva via e-mail. There are a limited number of tables available from the hotel. Please contact Aviva if you require a table. You have space for one, 6 foot table and 2 chairs only. Power is limited please indicate if you require power in your application.

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November Event at the Prestige

Booths will be given out at the Organizers discretion. After acceptance it is your responsibility to look over the floor plan, find your booth placement, and be prepared. Corners are limited. Returning vendors who pass jury for the year can request the same booth as the previous year. If you skip a year for any reason, (your own or jury decision), you will not have this same courtesy.

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Walk ways are limited and walk-in booths are preferred for all spaces except the Hall. If you are not able to create a walk-in booth you must provide a booth layout in your application and you will be placed where it is convenient for your lay out design not your requested booth size or number. 

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Hall tables are all to be against the wall as per the fire regulations. You will receive 6 feet for your table and 2 feet for a chair. There are no exceptions to this rule and the fire department will do a walk through to insure we are up to code in the hall.

 

The booth space that has been allocated to you is un-partitioned. You must take into consideration your own access in and out of your booth. Please allow yourself adequate space to come and go without relying on your neighbors. In other words, please do not block yourself in.  You may create partitions or walls if you choose but it is not necessary. If your neighbor does you may want to have a backdrop so be prepared.

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Tables are not included with your booth fee. There are a limited number of tables available from the hotel. Please contact Aviva if you require a table.

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Power is included in all booth options. House lights will be turned down to create a warm environment so you must provide adequate lighting for your product. If you do not light your booth appropriately the lighting will not be turned up just to accommodate you. If you are in the Hall you must have lighting. We will not allow the opening of windows in the main ballroom. 

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If you are in the Hall you will need drapery to cover your booth overnight.

Vendors are encouraged to decorate their booths in a "Festive Theme" this does encourage shopping.

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December Homespun Event at the Rod and Gun

Tables are included with your booth fee and are 8 feet long. There are a limited number of tables power. If you have power you will be against the wall.

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Harvest Market Event Held at Nelson Lakeside Park

All tents need to have weights, the wind is unpredictable at lakeside. You must bring all the gear you require for the day including tent, tables and chairs. 
 

Do not show up to the show unprepared for your space.  

 

Fire Retardant

If you have not purchased your table cloths or cloth banners (not vinyl) items new in the last 5 years, you may need tp fire treat them. This also includes any cloth coverings you wish to use to cover your booth at night. Fire treating is easy and can be done at home with both a natural or with a purchased synthetic compound. Any cloth over the hotel table cloth will need to be fire treated. If your product is made from cloth, you do not have to fire treat your stock. Fire retardant can be purchased at Home Depot or on line on Amazon. Or you can use one of the methods on this website 

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cloth-Fireproof

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Taxes

All artisans are responsible for collecting and remitting their own GST/PST.

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Promotional Give-A ways, and Fundraising

The Kootenay Artisan Fair does not allow these to be part of this event. Anyone participating in these activities will be asked to leave.

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U.S. Exchange Rate

We do get some customers from the U.S. as we are doing a small advertisement in Spokane. We encourage you to offer a “better than fair exchange” rate and to decide what your exchange rate is before you get your first customer.

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Parking, Unloading and Set Up Times

You are no allowed to park at the event. When you are finished unloading please move your vehicle to the mall parking lot or street parking to avoid from taking parking from your shoppers. Please avoid parking in the areas set aside for hotel guests or you will be towed at the hotels discretion and at your expense.

 

Spring and February Event at the Prestige

Unloading of your wares and setting up of your table can be done starting at 7 am from any of the four doors located at the far end of the hotel, (signs will be posted on the doors). The far end of the Hotel is by the Gazebo. With the renovations they did in Nelson they removed several parking spaces for green space. So unload and MOVE YOUR CAR. 

All vendors need to be set up and ready to go by 9 am in order to undergo Fire inspection.  Doors open to the public at  10 am.

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Harvest Market Event Held at Nelson Lakeside Park

TBA

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November Event at the Prestige

Unloading of your wares and setting up of your booth can be done anytime Friday from 7 am to 11 am from any of the doors located at the far end of the hotel, (signs will be posted on the doors). You can also unload your wares directly into the hall through several shipping/receiving doors at the side and front of the hotel depending on your booths location. Aviva will be on site and able to direct you when you get there. 

 

All vendors need to be set up and ready to go by 10 am in order to undergo Fire inspection.  Doors open to the public at 11 am.

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December Homespun Event at the Rod and Gun

Unloading of your wares and setting up of your booth can be done anytime Friday from 7 am to 10 am from any of the 2 doors located at both events of the Hall. Both have stairs but the front entrance has a ramp if you need to use it.

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All vendors need to be set up and ready to go by 10 am in order to undergo Fire inspection.  Doors open to the public at 11 am.

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Fire Regulations

These are some of the things you must pay attention to:

• Indoor spotlights only.

• No open flames.

• Booths in the Hall must not extend past 4 ft into the corridor to maintain fire access. These tables must be against the wall. (November only)

• Booth must be restricted to non combustible crafts and goods (November only)

• No flammable materials at booths unless treated with fire retardant. 

• All draperies, table coverings, dividers, etc must be sprayed with fire retardant before you arrive at the market.

• No straw or live cedar boughs or the like.

• CSA approved electrical equipment only.

• No hot plates or heat source permitted.

• This is not a comprehensive fire safety checklist.  It is your responsibility to find out if any of your display will not be allowed or requires anything to meet fire regulations.

• The fire inspector will tell you to take down anything they feel is unsafe.

• Due to the large nature of this event all vendors are responsible for finding fire escapes and fire extinguishers. For this reason vendors are to direct patrons of the event, who may try and return to the only exit they now which is the front entrance. In case of fire patrons of the event are to be directed towards the nearest exit.

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WIFI

Free WIFI is available from the Prestige and the Rod and Gun Club. Please keep in mind that this is a shared WIFI we cannot guarantee signal or how many people will be accessing the same signal. WIFI password will be available before doors open.

 

 

Vendor Tags

November Event at the Prestige

Vendor tags will be handed out during set up to each vendor to ensure free access into the market throughout the weekend. You will be supplied with two tags for the weekend. It is your responsibility to insure you and your staff are wearing your Vendor tags at all times. Please return your tags to the coordinator at the end of the event.

 

 

Door Prizes

November Event at the Prestige

All vendors will be asked to donate an item for the door prize. Door prizes should be a minimum $20 price range. We use the door prize to help build our customer e-mail list.

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Accommodations

November Event at the Prestige

The hotel will be offering a special rate to vendors from the fair. The rate is a significant reduction from their normal rates so if you require a room please call Aviva or the hotel for this year’s rate. You will need to identify yourself as a vendor of the Kootenay Artisan Fair and ask for the special preferred rate. Contact details below.

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The Prestige Lakeside Resort & Convention Center 701 Lakeside Drive Nelson, BC V1L 6G3
Email Nelson@PrestigeHotels.ca Phone 250-352-7222 Toll Free 1-877-737-8443

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Housekeeping

• No smoking is allowed in the hotel or 10 feet from any door. If you need to smoke please go into the parking lot.

• The Kootenay Artisan Fair and the Prestige Lakeside Resort are not responsible for the security of your products, however the ballroom is locked after the event each day so unauthorized personnel cannot access the area. We ask that you cover your wares at the end of each day to help keep them secure. You must be responsible for your own wares during open times. If you are in the hall and want to move any of your booth in to the Moseley room overnight please make arrangements with Aviva.

• The City of Nelson, Positive Apparel, the Kootenay Artisan Fair, the Prestige Lakeside Resort, staff and volunteers cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to yourself or property resulting from participation in this market. Your wares are uninsured by the above and participation is at your own risk.

• If you have any other safety questions let us know.

• Bullying of other vendors is not permitted. Anyone with a continued bad attitude will be asked to leave and will not be permitted to return to the Kootenay Artisan Fair.

• Food will be available for purchase from the hotel, and Lakeside park

• Child care is not provided

 

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Any other questions?  Please call Aviva at 250-505-5444 or email aviva@kootenayartisanfair.com we hope you have a successful market and remember, this is your market, we only pull it together. Let’s make it work!

 

Aviva Keely

Co-ordinator