Makers on Main Exhibitor Application

Applications for 2024 are now open! 

Before submitting an application, please review the rules & regulations outlined below. If you cannot meet ALL of the conditions or expectations here, please do not apply.  Any questions about the application process or town permits, may be emailed to [email protected]

2024 Dates: First Saturday of May – September

• May 4
• June 1
• July 6
• August 3
• September 7

2024 Booth Fee: $50 per date, all locations

ALL APPLICANTS:

APPLYING:

• We accept applications from artists, makers, food producers & food trucks ONLY. No direct sales lines permitted. One exhibitor per booth, no sharing.
• All applications will be evaluated by the event jury made up of representatives from the Visit Freeport Staff, Board of Directors, and Member Businesses.
• Applications received before December 31, 2023 will be processed in early January with notifications expected around January 22. Applicants received after January 1 will be processed in monthly juries as space allows.
• To ensure a diverse and competitive event we allocate a certain number of spaces for different categories. Some categories like Bath & Body and Jewelry are more competitive than others.
• You may apply for one date, a combination of dates or all dates.
• Three photos of your work must accompany your application. These photos and a description of your products on your application are the primary materials used in the jury process. Please highlight what makes you or your work special. The application process is very competitive. The quality of your photos and the thoroughness of your description can make or break your chances of getting in.
• If accepted, you may only display and sell products representative of those in your application materials.
• In some cases, products that duplicate those offered by brick & mortar stores in Freeport may not be accepted. If you have questions about this, email or call before you complete the application.
• All applicants receive an email when their application is submitted, and a second email with their jury results. If you have not received an email, please check your Spam filter and then check with us.

BOOTH SPACES & TENT REQUIREMENTS: 

• Each booth is a minimum of 10’X10′. The actual size can vary widely depending upon your location.
• Makers on Main is a rain or shine event. If you know you can’t attend due to sickness or weather, please let us know via email ([email protected]) so our volunteers/staff aren’t waiting for you at load-in. Unlike our other events, there is no penalty for cancellations other than forfeiting your fee.
• Tents are suggested but not required.
• If you have a tent, you must bring weights (staking is not permitted.) Each corner of your tent must be secured by a tent weight weighing no less than 40 pounds. Professional tent weights are required for all tents for the safety of visitors/consumers, your neighboring exhibitors’ tents & products, as well as you and your products. Milk jugs, concrete blocks, and stones are not permitted. We love this guide from the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance. It’s full of tips and hints about making your own weights and properly securing your weights.
• The Town of Freeport requires that all tents have a fireproof rating. Most have a small tag stating they comply with CA fire codes. Any professional tent will be fine, some very inexpensive shade structures do not meet town code and are therefore not permitted.
• Vendors assigned to booth spaces at L.L.Bean will be required to have white tents.
• Electricity is not available in any location.
• Makers on Main locations for 2024 will not be available until after the jury process. The sites are in the heart of downtown along Main St.
• Locations are subject to change. Some spaces could be leased by new tenants or are listed for sale and may become unavailable. Should your location change you’ll be contacted as soon as possible and reassigned. On event days, should there be cancellations, we will move those in attendance within their assigned location to fill in gaps. 
• Please note we cannot guarantee requested spaces.
• Spaces will be assigned randomly and to reflect the diversity of the products offered as well as to best complement existing stores in Freeport.
• Your location may change from week to week based on availability. We’ll try very hard not to especially if you are doing multiple weeks. 
• Specific booth assignments will not be confirmed until after the March 1, 2024 payment deadline. 

DURING MAKERS ON MAIN:

• Rain or Shine. Freeport is often busiest on cloudy, drizzly days. 
• The events are free and open to the public.
• Parking is free and plentiful. We do request that exhibitors not use the parking spaces adjacent to vending areas, instead leaving those most convenient spaces for shoppers.
• Artist/maker or an agent of the artist/maker must attend exhibit space at all times. Event staff and volunteers try to provide coverage for restroom breaks, but this is not always possible.
• There is no central location for trash, so please be prepared to pack out everything you bring in.
• Public WiFi is not readily available and cellular coverage varies greatly by carrier and location within Freeport. We recommend that you bring any devices to your exact booth location in advance to test your signal strength and reliability.
• The consumption of alcohol and the use of illegal drugs is not permitted in any of the show areas. Smoking and vaping is also not permitted within the show sites. If you must smoke or vape please exit the show area and allow at least 20 feet from any nearby business.

PAYMENTS & INSURANCE: 

• Please do not send payment until you have been accepted into Makers on Main. Once accepted, you will receive payment instructions.
• DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT: In order to ensure an accurate event brochure, the deadline for payment will be March 1, 2024. If payment has not been received by this date, your space will be forfeited to a person on the waiting list. If you are accepted into Makers on Main after March 1, 2024 you will have two weeks to submit payment to secure your space.
• Cancellation Policy:
  • If you must cancel after paying for your space but before the payment deadline of March 1, 2024, Visit Freeport will refund your booth fee(s) minus a $25 processing fee.
  • No refunds after March 1, 2024.
• Refunds are not issued to artists not satisfied with location or sales.
• No refunds are provided for inclement weather. There is no rain date.
• Vendor Insurance Coverage: All vendors participating in Makers on Main are required to have insurance coverage no less than $1M and must supply a copy of their Certificate of Insurance in advance of the festival. Vendors on the L.L.Bean campus are required to have $2M in coverage. For inexpensive, per-event event coverage, please visit https://www.actinsurance.com
• In the event that there is guidance from the State of Maine and CDC regarding any infectious disease, any recommendations or requirements in effect at the time of a Makers on Main day will be enforced by Visit Freeport. This includes, but is not limited to, masking for participants and vendors, hand sanitizer stations, social distancing, etc.

LOGISTICS:

• Set-up from 7 am – 10 am
• Clean-up from 4 pm – 6 pm
• Pack everything in and take everything out. Because you will be on private property there will not be dumpsters available for your boxes, etc. Plan to take everything with you.