The Maine Oyster Festival Vendors

MAKERS:

• Only applications from makers of Maine-made products used in serving or preparing oysters as well as products made from oyster shells, or other industry by-products, will be considered. This is not a craft fair. Vendors are meant to compliment the oysters being served by sea farms and to enhance the public’s experience with Maine oysters.
• Manufacturers of other marine-related products not meeting the criteria for vendors, might consider becoming a sponsor of The Maine Oyster Festival. Some levels include booth space.
• All applications will be evaluated by members of the event committee.
• Three photos of your work must accompany your application. These photos and the narrative description of your products on your application are the primary materials used in the jury process. Please take your time and be sure to highlight what makes you or your work special.
• Each participating maker will have a web listing including your photos, description, and links to your website and social media accounts. Each maker will also be highlighted on Visit Freeport and The Maine Oyster Festival social media accounts.
• If accepted, you may only display and sell products you make or manufacture and that are representative of those in your application materials.
• Duplication of products offered by brick & mortar stores in Freeport will likely result in instant disqualification. If you have a specific concern about this, feel free to email or call before you complete the application.
• Specific booth assignments will not be confirmed until after the April 1 payment deadline.
• Each booth is 12′ x 12′. In some locations there may be larger aisles between booths but in many cases you may have neighbors on three sides.
• 10′ x 10′ pop-up tents are required for all exhibitors. Any color tent is acceptable. The Town of Freeport requires that all tents have a fire proof 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 will be located on hard surfaces. You must provide weights.
• Electricity is not available.
• Maker or an agent of the maker must attend exhibit space at all times. Although event staff and volunteers will try to provide coverage for restroom breaks this is not always possible.
• There is no central location for trash generated by your booth. Vendors must be prepared to pack out everything they 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.
• L.L.Bean prohibits games of chance (raffles, etc), direct solicitation of donations, or collecting contact information from Festival goers (for instance, sign ups for email newsletters.) This does not include collecting what is required in the course of a sale or transaction.
• Please do not send payment until you have been accepted. Once accepted, you will receive payment instructions.
• DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT: In order to ensure an accurate event brochure, the deadline for payment will be April 1, 2022. If payment has not been received by this date, your space will be forfeited to a person on the waiting list.
• Cancellation Policy: 50% Refund before April 1, 2022; No refunds after this date
• Refunds are not issued to exhibitors not satisfied with location or sales.
• Festival is rain or shine. No refunds are provided for inclement weather.
• Set-up time begins at 7am on Saturday.
• Breakdown on Sunday is to begin no earlier than 4pm – those who break down earlier will not be allowed back.
• Visit Freeport contracts with a private company to provide overnight security on Saturday night. For peace of mind, we recommend taking any valuable or sentimental items with you when you leave each day. Visit Freeport and L.L.Bean are not responsible for any theft or damage.
• Free Underground Parking is available at the Freeport Village Station across the street from L.L.Bean. Additional parking, including for large trailers, is located at the Freeport High School off Holbrook Street. We recommend parking off-site so your customers may find convenient parking. Parking is not assigned because spaces are easily found in the morning.
• Vendor Insurance Coverage: All vendors participating in The Maine Oyster Festival are required to have insurance coverage no less than $2M and must supply a copy of their Certificate of Insurance in advance of the festival. For inexpensive, per-event event coverage, please visit https://www.actinsurance.com
• It is likely that there will be additional guidance from the State of Maine and CDC regarding SPECIAL EVENTS AND FESTIVALS and COVID-19. Any recommendations or requirements in effect at the time of the Festival will be enforced by Visit Freeport. This includes, but is not limited to, masking for participants and vendors, hand sanitizer stations, social distancing, etc.

FOOD TRUCKS: 

• In the case of food trucks or trailers, one of the three photos required with your application must be the exterior of your vehicle. The other two should be of your food!
• All applications will be evaluated by members of the event committee.
• Each participating food truck will have a web listing including your photos, description, and links to your website and social media accounts. Each food truck will also be highlighted on Visit Freeport and The Maine Oyster Festival social media accounts.
• Food trucks are expected to serve at least one dish that includes oysters. This dish must be cooked. Only sea farms and mobile shuckers may serve raw oysters. An exception can be made if your food philosophy prevents serving oysters (i.e. vegetarian or vegan, kosher, etc.)
• Food trucks will be entered into the People’s Choice Award for Best Oyster Dish along with Freeport brick and mortar restaurants.
• Vendors will be required to sign and return a food safety agreement supplied by L.L.Bean.
• L.L.Bean prohibits games of chance (raffles, etc), direct solicitation of donations, or collecting contact information from Festival goers (for instance, sign ups for email newsletters.) This does not include collecting what is required in the course of a sale or transaction.
• 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.
• A limited number of food trucks & trailers will be accepted. Owners of these businesses should make themselves familiar with the additional permits required by the Town of Freeport. Visit Freeport staff will assist with the application process but all additional fees and permitting are the responsibility of the exhibitor.
• Food trucks & trailers must be self-contained and use only whisper-quiet generators. Your vehicle’s engine must be turned off during the event.
• Trailers must be dropped in their assigned location and the towing vehicle parked outside of the event area.
• We request that you only use service wares that are fully composable. There is no central location for trash generated by your booth. You must provide a trash bin, bags and a recycling bin. Vendors must be prepared to pack out everything they bring in except for oyster shells.
• The local Boy Scouts will be collecting the shells throughout the Festival. They will be treated for biosecurity reasons and later donated for use in a variety of projects.
• Please do not send payment until you have been accepted. Once accepted, you will receive payment instructions.
• DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT: In order to ensure an accurate event brochure, the deadline for payment will be April 1, 2022. If payment has not been received by this date, your space will be forfeited to a person on the waiting list.
• Cancellation Policy: 50% Refund before April 1, 2022; No refunds after this date
• Refunds are not issued to exhibitors not satisfied with location or sales.
• Festival is rain or shine. No refunds are provided for inclement weather.
• Set-up time begins at 7am on Saturday.
• Breakdown on Sunday is to begin no earlier than 4pm – those who break down earlier will not be allowed back.
• Free Underground Parking is available at the Freeport Village Station across the street from L.L.Bean. Additional parking, including for large trailers, is located at the Freeport High School off Holbrook Street. We recommend parking off-site so your customers may find convenient parking. Parking is not assigned because spaces are easily found in the morning.
• Vendor Insurance Coverage: All vendors participating in The Maine Oyster Festival are required to have insurance coverage no less than $2M and must supply a copy of their Certificate of Insurance in advance of the festival. For inexpensive, per-event event coverage, please visit https://www.actinsurance.com
• It is likely that there will be additional guidance from the State of Maine and CDC regarding SPECIAL EVENTS AND FESTIVALS and COVID-19. Any recommendations or requirements in effect at the time of the Festival will be enforced by Visit Freeport. This includes, but is not limited to, masking for participants and vendors, hand sanitizer stations, social distancing, etc.

MOBILE SHUCKERS: 

• In the case of mobile shuckers, one of the three photos required with your application must be of your set-up. The other two should be of your service.
• Any or all Maine mobile shuckers are invited to shuck on Sunday. Sea farms are only shucking on Saturday. Sunday is all about you!
• Use this opportunity not only to sell oysters but to book future events or sell swag. Bring your business cards, brochures, or whatever other marketing you like.
• Each participating mobile shucker will have a web listing including your photos, description, and links to your website and social media accounts. Each shucker will also be highlighted on Visit Freeport and The Maine Oyster Festival social media accounts.
• You will be required to sign and return a food safety agreement supplied by L.L.Bean.
• L.L.Bean prohibits games of chance (raffles, etc), direct solicitation of donations, or collecting contact information from Festival goers (for instance, sign ups for email newsletters.) This does not include collecting what is required in the course of a sale or transaction.
• 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.
• Ice will be available at no cost to you.
• If necessary, only whisper-quiet generators are permitted.
• We request that you only use service wares that are fully composable.
• There is no central location for your trash. You must provide a trash bin, bags and a recycling bin. Vendors must be prepared to pack out everything they bring in except for oyster shells.
• The local Boy Scouts will be collecting the shells throughout the Festival. They will be treated for biosecurity reasons and later donated for use in a variety of projects.
• Please do not send payment until you have been accepted. Once accepted, you will receive payment instructions.
• DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT: In order to ensure an accurate event brochure, the deadline for payment will be April 1, 2022. If payment has not been received by this date, your space will be forfeited to a person on the waiting list.
• Cancellation Policy: 50% Refund before April 1, 2022; No refunds after this date
• Refunds are not issued to exhibitors not satisfied with location or sales.
• Festival is rain or shine. No refunds are provided for inclement weather.
• Set-up time begins at 8am on Sunday.
• Breakdown on Sunday is to begin no earlier than 4pm – those who break down earlier will not be allowed back.
• Free Underground Parking is available at the Freeport Village Station across the street from L.L.Bean. Additional parking, including for large trailers, is located at the Freeport High School off Holbrook Street. We recommend parking off-site so your customers may find convenient parking. Parking is not assigned because spaces are easily found in the morning.
• Vendor Insurance Coverage: All vendors participating in The Maine Oyster Festival are required to have insurance coverage no less than $2M and must supply a copy of their Certificate of Insurance in advance of the festival. For inexpensive, per-event event coverage, please visit https://www.actinsurance.com
• It is likely that there will be additional guidance from the State of Maine and CDC regarding SPECIAL EVENTS AND FESTIVALS and COVID-19. Any recommendations or requirements in effect at the time of the Festival will be enforced by Visit Freeport. This includes, but is not limited to, masking for participants and vendors, hand sanitizer stations, social distancing, etc.

Complete the short application below to get started. Please contact Margaret Hoffman with questions via email or 207-865-1212 ext 3.