Booth Presentation

We  strive for a Renaissance-era village feel. The article about booth presentation should help with booth structure, signage, and displays.

Avoid plastic, metal, or modern elements; contact the Vendor Coordinator for queries.
Read the booth design article for valuable insights. We do not approve of simple pop-ups without any effort to make them look period. This could result in your being rejected.

General Guidelines:

Booth exteriors are ideally made from aged wood, lattice, shingles, canvas, or natural fiber fabrics.
New wood should appear weathered; plastic shade covers are disguised with acceptable materials.
Fabric colors in muted tones from natural dyes; earth tones, wine, yellow, blue, and green are accepted.
Only acceptable patterns: stripes, herringbone, plaids, or tapestry.
Tables and chairs (except all-wood period styles) must be covered with period fabric.

Strongly recommend shade covers; the festival site is sunny.
No radios or televisions during operating hours; quiet period music allowed.
No electricity (except for food vendors); generators are allowed only for food vendors with prior approval and after-hours use with HR approval.
Sidewalls are not required, but back walls are necessary to mask backstage areas; fire retardant treatment is required.

Displays and Signage:

No plastic or pegboard displays; discourage wire racks.
Exterior displays visible from the street must be made from natural materials.
Signage from wood, cloth, clay, or other natural materials; no paper signs (except price tags).
Umbrellas made of natural fibers with wooden poles are allowed; others with plastic, printed designs, polyester fringe, metal poles, or struts are not acceptable.

Storage:

Backstage space is not guaranteed for every booth; include it in your booth layout for guaranteed space.
All booth paraphernalia must be stored inside the booth and covered appropriately.

Costuming:

All booth personnel must be fully costumed in Renaissance garb during Festival hours.
Female hair covered with a hat; Import and Mystic booths may wear appropriate ethnic costuming from import-approved geographic regions.
No modern apparel during Festival hours, including sunglasses, baseball caps, T-shirts, shorts, Levis, etc.

The booth owner is responsible for staff costuming; immediate action is required for inappropriately costumed staff.

Booth Fees:

Determined by space size and product/activity; all-inclusive, no additional percentage charged.
Include all items placed inside or outside the booth when selecting booth size.
Additional space for walk-around booths is not guaranteed if not included in calculations.
No changes are permitted once booth space is assigned by CCRF/HR unless authorized by the vendor coordinator.
Non-profit food vendor booth fees 50% of the selected booth size cost; proof of Non-Profit status is required.

Straw Bale Rental:

Available for vendor use during the event for a rental fee of $10 per bale.
Hay bales are delivered on the Friday before the event; broken bales require an additional $15 fee.

Mandatory Fees:

$40 fee for operating within the City of San Luis Obispo (SLO); include it in your application.
All vendors must fill out, sign, and keep a San Luis Obispo City Fire Department Special Event permit in their booth during the entire event.
Available online and at check-in.

Gate Passes/Gate List:

Vendors receive wristbands at check-in.
Booth employees without wristbands pay to enter and must go to their booth to obtain a band.
Passes in excess of the allotted amount cost $5 each.
Gate list included in each application; specify minor children.