We anticipate over 200,000 visitors and residents enjoying the Street Fair this year.

Sorry, no pets or animals are allowed for any purpose at the Street Fair due to city ordinance.

We will try and continue the Street Fair in rain and wind unless it becomes hazardous. In hazardous situations, we recommend vendors shutting down their booths temporarily.

In order to be considered as a vendor for the Waterfront Street Fair, applicants must complete the online application, which is submitted to the North Carolina Azalea Festival Street Fair Committee, along with a non-refundable $25.00 mandatory application fee. Upon completion of the online application, you will receive a confirmation email. All requested documentation can be sent to the email address provided, and an application will not be considered unless all documents and photos are submitted. Please note, current insurance information is not needed until you receive an acceptance notification.

The North Carolina Azalea Festival Waterfront Street Fair Committee is made up of volunteers who donate their time, energy, and resources each year to make the Waterfront Street Fair a success. Ultimately, the decision to accept vendors comes from a combination of the volunteer Waterfront Street Fair Committee, staff, and interns. Applications are reviewed in order, and we give preference to vendors that have all documentation and photos submitted.

We have a variety of vendors at the Street Fair. If you believe you have a unique, well-made product, we absolutely encourage you to apply.

There are both roving and stationary performers like jugglers, stilt walkers, magicians, and musical groups (drums, guitar soloist, chorus, etc.). If you are interested in performing, please email streetfair@ncazaleafestival.org or click here.

The Street Fair application is solely an online application. If you don’t have a personal computer at home, we recommend your local library. If you absolutely can’t access a computer, please call our office and we would be more than happy to help you complete the application on our end.

Arts & Crafts: artisans creating their own products to sell without a physical storefront
Commercial: vendors who have physical storefronts or who are selling merchandise wholesale
Food: vendors who are preparing food on site
**Non-Profit: we accept 10 non-profit booths on a first come, first serve basis for a discounted $75 booth fee. More non-profits can apply but will have to pay the standard booth fee.

Placement is based on a first-pay, first-serve basis to those vendors who have paid in full first. Secondly, we typically try to place returning vendors in the same location if space is available and worked well for both parties in the past. The Street Fair configuration changes often due to construction or other reasons, and we need to be flexible when placing vendors. Due to logistical issues, there is a chance that vendors will need to be relocated on-site.

The database will only accept photos under 1MB. Try making your photos smaller by using an online photo editing site, your system photo editing tool, or follow these steps below:
Step 1. Call or email our office and explain the issue. We will send you a placeholder photo via email that you can 1) save to your desktop and 2) upload to your application.
Step 2. Submit your application with the placeholder photos.
Step 3. Email us your actual photos as soon as possible – please be sure to include your name and business name (if applicable) so we can match the photos with the correct application.

Yes, every vendor is required to have a NC sales tax ID whether you live in North Carolina or another state. To get a NC sales tax ID, please fill out the NC-BR form with the North Carolina Department of Revenue. This can be done online at www.dornc.com or by calling 1 (877) 252-3052 for more information.

Every vendor is required to provide` up to $1 million in event insurance. If you don’t have insurance, Harold Wells Insurance will provide you with coverage for the three day Waterfront Street Fair during the Azalea Festival. They can be reached at (910) 762-8551. You will be required to submit your Certificate of Insurance (COI) once you have been accepted as a vendor.

You will be notified by the Street Fair team 2-4 weeks within the submission of your application whether you have been accepted or denied. If you have been approved, you will receive directions on how to pay. Please note that spots are not final until they have been paid for in full. Food vendors may have longer to wait for approvals.

Vendors can get denied for a variety of reasons, and a lot of those reasons may not have anything to do with your product. We work hard to make the Street Fair diverse and interesting. We do not accept thrift stores or knock-off brands. We also do not accept political or issue-based vendors in efforts to make the Street Fair confrontational and a comfortable, enjoyable environment for all. We do not discriminate based on age, race, or gender.

Non-Profit Charitable Organizations (space limited) – $100
Arts & Crafts Vendor – $300
Arts & Crafts Vendor Double – $600
Small Business Commercial Vendor – $600
Small Business Commercial Vendor Double – $1,200
Corporation & National Brand Vendor – $2500
Corporation & National Brand Vendor Double – $5,000
Food Vendor (10×10 frontage) – $850
Food Vendor Double (10×20 frontage) – $1,600
Downtown Business in Waterfront Street Fair Zone (must register by July 31st) – $200

Your booth payment includes space at the Waterfront Street Fair – vendors will be required to provide their own tables, chairs, tents, signage, and etc. Vendors can pay with debit/credit card, check, certified check, or money order.
What if I need power and/or water at my booth?
Please be sure to notate on your initial application that you would like power. Power is an additional fee that will be added on to your booth fee. You will need to provide your own fire extinguisher and your own power cord to hook-up. The Fire Department will be checking booths throughout the Waterfront Street Fair. Please note: Food vendors have power and water already included in their booth fee.

Vendors typically accept cash or check. If you have the ability to accept credit/debit using iSquare or another device, that is acceptable. And all PCI compliance regulations shall be assumed by the vendor.

The Hotel Ballast is the closest property to the Street Fair and serves as the Azalea Festival headquarters during the Festival. The rooms fill up quickly, so be sure to reserve yours as soon as possible!

We will send out vendor packets prior to the Azalea Festival that includes everything you need to know about the Street Fair. Each vendor will receive a map depicting parking, restrooms, and etc. Your booth location will be included in this packet. Please note, we won’t be mailing out packets until March. This is to ensure that we give you the most accurate information possible. All vendors will be responsible for checking in on Friday. You can come check-in at any time on Friday between 9AM-5PM.

We do not give refunds for cancellations. However, under severe circumstances, an approval may be granted for a refund if we are notified in advance.

The North Carolina Azalea Festival has over 50 events with something for everyone! Please visit our website at ncazaleafestival.org for event information!

Yes! Street Fair booths are incorporated into some of our sponsorship opportunities already, and we can absolutely create customized sponsorships. Many opportunities come with ticket packages to our events, such as the Concerts and private networking events & galas. Contact us at streetfair@ncazaleafestival.org if you are interested!

Of course! Please call our office Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM to talk to one of our Street Fair interns, volunteers, or staff. We are eager to help you make this experience incredible!