Host a Craft Fair in your Neighbourhood
- Location Ideas: Neighbourhood Park, School or Church Parking Lots
- Always do your homework and check first with who owns the property to find out what permissions would be required. For instance, if considering the use of city property, check with your local City Hall to find out if a permit is needed for your event ie. Hawker & Peddler License.
- If considering the use of a school or church, meet with the person in charge to make inquiries
- You can provide a canopy, table and chairs for vendors or ask them to provide their own. Remember to plan for the weather!
- You can ask for each vendor for an attendance donation ie $10 -$15 or consider having a silent auction to raise money for a local charity and request an item be donated by each vendor.
- Advertise the event with sign-age around the neighbourhood. Again always check first if any permissions are required..even check with homeowners before you plan to place a sign on the boulevard! Make sure any signs are well secured or weighted down so that they will not blow over.
- Well in advance of your event, connect with potential vendors at craft fairs, farmers markets or local clubs ie. Quilter's Guild.
- Create a business card to promote your event that includes the craft fair event date, cost, sign up information ie. email, contact information. This is convenient to carry with you and easy to hand out to anyone you may meet.
- A great way to get the word out to vendors and the public who may wish to attend is by contacting your local Newspapers, TV or Radio stations with your event information.
- Be prepared for cancellations - in the event a vendor does not attend, you may decide they will have to forfeit their registration fee
- Recruit volunteers to help with set up and tear down of the event.
