Call for Art and Artisan Vendors

BECOME AN ART, ARTISAN OR FOOD COTTAGE VENDOR FOR THE 2023 Scherr Legate WinterFest Lights Parade and Opening Ceremony 
 
Artisan Vendors are invited to apply for the Annual Scherr Legate WinterFest Lights Parade Opening Day Ceremony.  The date of the event is Saturday, November 18.

THE EVENT

On Saturday November 18, 2023, the City of El Paso will host its Annual Scherr Legate WinterFest Lights Parade and Opening Ceremony. The Scherr Legate WinterFest Lights Parade and Opening Ceremony has become a signature El Paso event, providing an opportunity for the community to enjoy the holiday spirit downtown, with an exciting parade, live music, local food & art vendors.  In 2022 alone, the Opening Ceremony event was visited by over 55,000 people!
Artisan Vendor Opportunities this year are on November 18: 

Hours of Operation: 
Saturday, November 18 from  2 PM – 11 PM

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 

Applications must be received by 10 AM MST on Monday, October 16.  Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Submission of application does not guarantee acceptance.

  • Accepted art vendors will be notified by October 20, and charged the fee for their space (for more information, see below.)
  • Vendors are responsible for all operation equipment and supplies. 
  • Spaces are limited and will be selected through a rubric scoring system by the Scherr Legate WinterFest Committee. 
  • Participation in the 2022 event does NOT guarantee selection for the 2023 Scherr Legate WinterFest Light Parade and Opening Ceremony.


For further information or assistance, please contact  Lucero Duran at (915) 268-5064 and/or DuranLA2@elpasotexas.gov.  All technical assistance must be requested by Wednesday, October 4 at 6 PM.
ART VENDOR APPLICANT INFORMATION

ART VENDOR CRITERIA AND SELECTION

  • NO RESALE WILL BE PERMITTED, except for items approved by the coordinator the fit the Winterfest theme.
  • Absolutely NO copyright images or materials are permitted.
  • No additional items may be sold (i.e. water, candy, etc.) unless allowed by the coordinator.  Active physical art-related services (i.e. facepainting,  henna tattoos, etc.) are also strictly prohibited. 
  • This is a family-friendly event and artwork must be appropriate for the venue.  
  • All Vendors must have a current Tax ID and operate in compliance with all MCAD/Parks vending guidelines and standards. 
  • In order to ensure diversity and product integrity, the Scherr Legate WinterFest Lights Parade Committee will review all applications and select participants that meet the following criteria:
    • The Scherr Legate WinterFest Lights Parade Committee looks to include local, regional and international artists among a wide array of mediums and techniques.
    • Art and artisan vendors not selected will be placed on an Alternate List and contacted in the event of a cancellation.
    • MCAD and the Scherr Legate WinterFest committee reserves the right to curate and limit the amount of vendors selected in each category. 
  • Vendors not submitting appropriate information and/or permits will be automatically disqualified.
Downtown Artist and Farmers Market (DAFM) Food Cottage Vendors: 

Current DAFM Food Cottage Vendors are invited and strongly encouraged to apply for the Scherr Legate WinterFest Lights Parade! All food cottage vendors must adhere to Texas Food Cottage Law and Department of Public Health Temporary Food Establishment permitting guidelines. All items sold must be pre-packaged, appropriately labeled, food item sales ONLY.

The Winterfest Committee will be scoring all vendors according to the rubric below.
  Excellent(+2)  Good(+1) Neutral (0)  Needs Improvement(-1)  Does not meet quality standards (-2)
 Craftmanship and uniqueness of items          
 Items on theme to Winterfest Event          
 Quality of Vendor Set up          
 Quality of Photographs submitted        
FEES and PERMIT NOTICE

General City of El Paso Vendor Permits are not necessary as the event includes permitting. All selected participants that have paid their dues will be issued a Scherr Legate WinterFest Lights Parade Vendor Permit on the day of Mandatory Orientation.  

Vendor Fees (non-refundable):

Non DAFM Rate: $75

Student Rate: $60
  • School ID belonging to person applying must be submitted with application and at time of payment to receive the discount
Downtown Artist and Farmers Market Vendor (DAFM) Rate: $45

To qualify for the DAFM vendor rate, Vendors must have participated in the DAFM and affiliated markets at least 25 times in the 10 months prior to the payment deadline to receive the discount.  Attendance will be verified by the DAFM Coordinator.
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
  • To guarantee space, booth fees and signed Art Vendor Agreement must be received by the MCAD offices by November 2 at 6 PM. 
  • Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover) will be accepted over the phone Monday-Thursday from 9 AM - 5 PM.  
  • Cash will be taken by appointment only.
  • Failure to provide required fees by the deadline will result in the forfeiture of the vendor space.
    • Due to a high demand for participation, payment will not be accepted after the deadline and the space will open up to the waiting list of selected vendors. 
      • In the event that spaces become available, alternative vendors will be notified and will have 72 hours to submit payment.
VENDING GUIDELINES and EVENT LOGISTICS

VENDOR BOOTH REQUIREMENTS

  • Vendors must bring their own supplies and equipment (tent, table, easels, table cloths, chairs, battery or solar lights, etc).
  • Booths may not exceed the standard 10’ X 10’ tent size and must be white in color or branded with vendor information. 
  • Spaces will be assigned and numbered on the pavement on the morning of set-up.
  • Space assignments will be emailed out 24 hours before the event begins.
  • Space Assignments are final.
  • Vendors MAY NOT reassign themselves, but may trade with another participating vendor if approved by the coordinator. 
  • Booths are Non-Transferable.
  • Access to electricity is NOT provided.
  • Light towers will be provided in the general vendor area and throughout the event footprint
  • All vendors must be set-up and ready for business on time and maintain full operations throughout the event.
  • Art booths should be fully staffed and stocked at all times. 

    All parties involved in violation of this rule will be barred from the event and future participation.


EVENT LOGISTICS

Saturday, November 18:

Please be aware that vehicle entry into the festival footprint including vendor area may not be accessible.  A loading and unloading area/ time will be reserved for vendors pending orientation.  

Special instructions will be expressed in the case of inclement weather. 
  • Check-In
    • Each vendor will receive an assigned load in time and space before the event. 
    • Begins promptly on Saturday, November 18 at 11:30 AM.
    • Vendors must be ready to sell by 1:45 PM.
    • Although event security will be available, vendors are responsible for assigning an individual to remain with the space at all times. 
    • Event security will be on site throughout the entirety of the event but they are not responsible for your items. 
    • Vehicles will not be allowed into the pathway before 11:30 AM or after 1:30 PM.
  • Tear-down 
    • Begins at 11 PM.
    • Vendors are responsible for their own equipment, supplies, and personal property.

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