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EVENT INFORMATION

Over the years, the lighthearted tradition continues! We welcome you to attend the annual Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw and Festival! The arts and crafts fair is a part of this festival, which sees over 25,000 attendees each year. This is one of the region's largest events, and we invite you to submit an application to be a part of it! Our fair hosts 150 vendor spaces, which guarantees a wide variety of art and fine craft items for sale!

Cow Chip Arts and Crafts Fair will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023 from 9am-5pm. This one day, outdoor art fair is held in Marion Park, Prairie du Sac, WI.

Booth spaces are 15ft x 15ft, outdoor on grass only, with no electricity access. Booth spaces are assigned based on date of application, and we will do our best to honor requests. Applications are juried blind by a committee based solely on media category and photos that are submitted. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

The art fair runs from 9am-5pm on Saturday, September 2, 2023. This one day, juried art and craft fair event will be held in Marion Park (corner of 1st St and Grand Ave), Prairie du Sac, WI 53578.

Fees: This is an outdoor event; no refunds will be available for inclement weather.

  • $25 jury fee (non-refundable) 
  • $85 booth fee for a 15x15 ft space. Double and triple booth options are available. No refunds will be offered after July 1, no exceptions.

Eligibile: Art and craft items of original design, handcrafted by the exhibiting artist. 
Not Eligible: Buy/sell items, consignment pieces, work made from kits/patterns, imported items, and food vendors (including dry dip mixes, samples, salsas, and honey).

Application Procedures:

  • Both new and returning vendors must fill out the application in full, including at least 4 photos of the work you plan to sell and 1 booth shot. 1 in-process photo of you making the work is highly recommended.
  • Previous participation in the event does not guarantee continued acceptance.
  • Applicants will be juried in May by a committee, based solely off of the photos provided. Notification of acceptance or rejection will be sent after May 19, 2023.

*Note: River Arts Inc is not accepting paper applications for this event. All applications, photos, and payments must be submitted using this online format.

Media Categories Accepted:

  • Fiber
  • Bath/Body/Candles
  • Ceramics
  • Digital artwork
  • Wood
  • Metal
  • Drawing, Painting, Printmaking
  • Photography
  • Jewelry
  • Floral
  • Leather
  • Other


Best in Show: Two vendors will be selected as 2023 Best in Show. These winners will each receive an award to be displayed in their booth for the remainder of the fair, as well as a free booth to the 2024 fair (valued at $110).

Park info: This event takes place in a public park. All booths are on grass. Electricity is not available. Public restrooms are provided in the form of portable toilets (porta-potties) brought in for the day. Restrooms are serviced throughout the day, handicap accessible options provided.

Artist Amenities:

  • Complimentary booth sitting service
  • Complimentary vendor coffee served from 6am-9am the day of the event (while supplies last)
  • A list of the specific food vendor options and their locations will be provided upon check-in.
  • Free overnight trailer/RV parking. Free street parking all day during the event. Handicap parking is available along First Street.

Marketing:

  • The Arts & Crafts Fair is a part of the larger Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw Festival, which is advertised on radio, TV, and social media ads across the midwest. The art fair is also marketed independently via social media through River Arts Inc, the hosting organization.
  • Upon acceptance, artists will be sent pre-sized social media images and copy with the request to share the event

About the Hosting Organization: River Arts, Inc.
River Arts Inc. was formed in 1997 and became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that served as the capital fundraising organization for the Sauk Prairie community’s River Arts Center. When that charge was complete in 2000, the organization restructured itself as an arts presenter. River Arts Inc. produces an annual performance series in the 500-seat theatre in the River Arts Center, curates multiple art exhibits in the 1700 square foot River Arts Center gallery adjacent to the theatre, represents 40 local artists in the retail River Arts on Water Gallery, offers hands-on art workshops year round, and manages the 150-vendor Cow Chip Arts & Crafts Fair each year.


Important information related to COVID-19:

River Arts Inc is closely following the recommendations and instructions from our local and state government in regards to COVID-19 and large gatherings. At this time, Cow Chip Arts & Craft Fair will continue as planned until we hear otherwise.

  • Applications to be a vendor are due by May 6, 2022
  • Jurying will be completed the week after the deadline.
  • Notifications will be sent to artists on May 17.

In case the event does end up being cancelled, River Arts Inc will adhere to the following cancellation policy:

  • Artists will receive full refunds for any goods or services not received (i.e booth fees)
  • Jury fees will not be refunded if cancellation occurs after the jury process has been completed
    • Artists who were accepted into the 2022 art fair can transfer their jury fee to 2023 for no charge. Artists choosing this option will be exempt from jury next year and automatically invited into the show
    • Artists who were not invited to participate in 2022 are welcome to reapply for 2023, but will need to complete a new application and submit a new jury fee

Please stay tuned to this event page and our website for additional details/changes as the situation progresses.

RULES/REGULATIONS

Eligibility:
  •  The Cow Chip Arts and Crafts Fair is open to all exhibitors 18 years of age and older. (16-17 year olds may exhibit with written parental permission and an adult at the booth during the fair)
  • All work must be original, handcrafted work. Artist guarantees the accuracy of the description of the works presented and the authenticity of the work as the creation of their own hands.
  • All exhibited work must be original in concept and must have been created by the accepted applicant. No work made with commercial kits or prefabricated forms may be exhibited. No buy/sell.
Tax/Licensing information:
  • All sales will be conducted between the artist and customer. There is no commission on sales.
  • Artists are responsible for obtaining a Wisconsin Temporary Event Operator and Seller Form S-240  and for collecting and paying Wisconsin sales tax (5.5%).
  • Vendors are responsible for having appropriate sports and logo licensing if applicable.
  • Vendors should carry their own event liability insurance.
Compliance:
  • Artists must be present to exhibit and manage their displays during the Fair. No representatives/collectives/guilds are allowed. Work must be created by the person present at the event.
  • Artists are limited to the booth space they were assigned. Storage next to or behind booth spaces is prohibited. Booth spaces are non-transferable. ?
  • No take-downs before 5pm the day of the fair.
  • Jury fees are non-refundable. Cancellations will not receive a refund, no exceptions.
  • If accepted, you agree to the use of your images for promotional purposes (with credit) unless you notify us in writing otherwise.
  • Driving on park grass or behind Grand Ave School to load or unload is strictly prohibited at all times.
  • No pets allowed in the park.
Correspondence:
  • Unless prior arrangements have been agreed upon in writing, primary correspondence (including acceptance notifications) will be sent to the email address provided upon application. It is the responsibility of the artist to check their email regularly and to notify River Arts Inc of changes to any contact information. 
No-Shows:
  • Artists who no-show to the event without prior communication to River Arts Inc will not be invited back to the event. 

BOOTH INFORMATION

  • Booth spaces are all 15ft x 15ft grass spots in a park. Cost is $85 per booth. Electricity is not availabe at any of the booths. Tables/chairs are not provided.
  • Vendors are not required to bring a tent, but it is recommended as this is an outdoor event held in a park with mature trees.
  • Multiple booth spaces can be purchased, up to a maximum of three per vendor. There is no additional jury fee to purchase an extra booth, just the additional $85 per extra space.
  • When submitting an application, vendors can request a specific booth number (see site map for booth numbers). Every effort will be made to honor this request. Booth assignments are based on the order applications are received and space availability.
  • If you plan to bring a generator of any kind, this needs to be disclosed in the "Other comments" section of your application.

Check-In/Registration:
  • ARTISTS MUST CHECK IN WITH A RIVER ARTS STAFF MEMBER BEFORE SETTING UP. We've had vendors set up in the wrong spot and this ruins the day for you and whoever's spot you took by mistake. 
  • Check-in and set-up is available on Friday night from 4-6pm. Absolutely no setting up is allowed before 4pm on Friday due to the park's location next to a school. There is no overnight security provided for items left at the park. 
  • Check-in is also available starting at 6am the day of the event. 
  • Vehicles can unload along First Street and Grand Ave until 9am, after which vehicles must be moved. These streets are part of the parade route and will be blocked off. 
  • Driving on the park grass or behind Grand Ave School to unload is strictly prohibited.

User Entry Process Tutorial

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