We are so glad you're interested in applying! Please read the following information carefully before filling out the form below.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

The Charles City Art-a-Fest is a juried festival for up to 50 local and regional artists, as well as food and service vendors, and non-profit organizations that support the arts or align with the mission of Art-a-Fest. This festival fulfills an important role in the community and surrounding areas by supporting and celebrating local and regional artists. Our goal is to make the arts accessible to all members of our community during this one-day, free event. With interactive arts activities for children, live performing artists, and delicious food from a variety of local and regional vendors, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

The 52nd annual Art-a-Fest will be held Saturday, August 16 from 10 AM - 4 PM in Central Park, Charles City, IA. There will be a dedicated "Artists' Hour" from 9 AM-10AM when participating artists can mingle and shop from each other, before the festival opens for the general public. Note- event sponsors / donors will also be invited to shop early during that time, in thanks for their contribution toward making Art-a-Fest possible.

Deadline to apply: July 31, 2025

Application fee: $60

Note- an additional fee of $25 may be charged by the city to use electricity in Central Park

Notification of acceptance: typically within a week 

APPLICATION FEE

An entry fee of $60 is required upon submission of the application and includes reservation of:

• A designated space on the street or lawn for food/beverage vendors

• A 10’x10’ booth space for vendors who offer a service/activity to the general public for a fee

Additional space may be available upon request. The entry fee will be fully refunded to any vendor not accepted, so long as the application was submitted by the July 31 deadline. Late entries may be accepted with a late fee for a short duration after the deadline if space is available. Accepted vendor fees are non-refundable. Payment will not be refunded in the rare event Art-a-Fest is canceled due to extreme weather.

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At least 3 quality images that represent the vendor's food choices or services are required upon submission of the application. The images will serve as part of the criteria used for selection by the committee, and should include the vendor logo, an example of a booth/trailer setup, and a menu or depiction of services that will be offered during Art-a-Fest. The committee will review images and information submitted with the application.

• For service vendors-  Acceptance will be based on how well the services/activities fit with the overall festival/event theme and activities.

• For food/beverage vendors- Acceptance will be prioritized by the order in which they were received, in case of multiple applications for the same type of cuisine.

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Note: Accepted vendors may be required to coordinate with the Charles City Clerk and obtain a day permit for vendor operation during Art-a-Fest unless a permit is already on file. The additional cost for a day permit will be $25, and instructions will be provided for vendors who are accepted to participate. Additionally, the city may charge a fee of $25 for the use of electricity during Art-a-Fest.

All decisions of the committee are final. The selection process is closed. All images submitted may be used for purposes of advertising the event and participating vendors.

FESTIVAL SETUP & PARTICIPATION

If accepted, vendors will receive a map of the festival with an assigned setup location. It is essential that participants include any special requests with the application, including specific locations for loading/unloading requirements, previous setup locations, electrical requirements, etc. The layout of Art-a-Fest changes from year to year, so we will do our best to honor requests, but no placement or location is guaranteed.

Event check in starts at 7am, but participants can begin setting up anytime Friday night or Saturday morning. There is no park security. Vendors must furnish tables, chairs, and any other setup items. Electricity is available but limited, and vendors will be granted priority based on order of applications received. As this event is outdoors, please be prepared for adverse weather (including wind). All vendors are expected to stay for the duration of the event. Tear down occurs immediately following the conclusion of Art-a-Fest. Late arrival or early departure may affect whether an invitation is extended for future participation.

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