Riverfest Exhibitor Application Deadline is May 1

Local artists looking to participate in Cherokee County's most popular arts and crafts festival have less than a month to sign up.

The application deadline for the Riverfest Arts & Crafts Festival has been set for May 1. The process is open to fine arts and crafts exhibitors, marketplace vendors and concessionaires. 

The deadline is typically June 1, but the organizing committee for the 30th annual Riverfest wants an earlier deadline to "accommodate an earlier jury process, resulting in earlier notifications of vendor acceptance," the Service League of Cherokee County said in a news release.

This year's show will be held Sept. 27-28 along the banks of the Etowah River at Boling Park in Canton. The show on Saturday, Sept. 27 will be from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28. A $5 gate donation is suggested for residents age 11 and older. The event will take place rain or shine.

To celebrate Riverfest's 30th anniversary, the Service League of Cherokee County will offer new features at this year's festival. One new feature guarantees corner-booth spaces for all participating fine arts, crafts and marketplace exhibitors.

Exhibitors may choose from single, double, triple or quadruple booth spaces. In addition, the event features a friendly, supportive volunteer event staff, exhibitor awards, vendor welcome bags, overnight security and a hospitality booth where complimentary breakfast and coffee are provided to vendors each morning of the festival.

The Riverfest Referral Program, which allows arts and crafts exhibitors the opportunity to reduce their booth space fees by referring new participants to the show, will also return this year. More information on these incentives is available by contacting riverfest@gmail.com or calling (770) 704-5991.

The juried show features more than 200 arts and crafts exhibitors, entertainers, children’s activities and concessions. It's also the league's biggest fundraiser, with all proceeds going to help less fortunate children in Cherokee County. Specifically, money raised will help the league provide necessities such as food, clothing, dental care, eyeglasses medical care and scholarships.   

Applications must be post-marked no later than May 1, 2014, and are available for download at www.serviceleague.net