Become a Merchant
The Connecticut Renaissance Faire is now accepting merchant applications for our 2023 season. Our guest traffic continues to multiply, and we’re just as affordable to sell at as ever. If you’ve always dreamed of selling your creations, now has never been a better time to join us.
Important: Rates increase on the first day of each month. Your application must be properly postmarked to receive the current rate.
Merchant FAQ
We try to answer as many of your questions as possible below. If you need to know something we haven’t listed, please email Jennifer at jen@ctfaire.com.
Hard Booth Spaces
We rent a limited number of 81SF (9x9) hard booth spaces on Shady Lane at a rate of $200 for one area and $100 for an additional location plus SF fees as applicable.
Guest Merchant Spaces
A limited number of 81SF (9x9) hard booth guest spaces are available on Shady Lane at the cost of $75 per day (you must be at the Faire the entire weekend you are a guest at).
We don't have a definitive list of products we'd like to see sold by our merchants. Our preference goes out to artisans who handcraft items that fit our show's theme (or themed weekends). If you're not sure if your product would fit in or not, please get in touch with Jen and share some example photos. She will let you know if it is worth sending your wares to our jury for review. The worst that can happen is we say your product won't work so give it a shot.
We do allow resale items that fit our theme. We do not allow solar, windows, and other modern products.
We have a limited number of booths available in an area we call Shady Lane. We recommend these spaces for first-time Renaissance Faire merchants to ensure your business is viable before jumping in the rest of the way. These areas go quickly and have a rental fee on top of your application fee. See the "Is it expensive to be a merchant at the Faire" FAQ for price details.
Having the proper attire for the Faire is essential as it is one of the things that gives your guests something they can't get anywhere else. Queen Elizabeth is our matriarch, so we must dress appropriately for the Elizabethan Era. If you can't attend a Renaissance Faire to garb up, Etsy can often have what you need.
Like your tent, your costume is part of your overall presentation and factored when we jury you. Please do not buy a "Renaissance Costume" from a Halloween Store or similar chain.
We do allow guest merchants, especially when they fit the theme of a particular weekend. We award priority to merchants who commit to our entire season over guest slots when it comes to jurying.
Our jury will review your application. If you are accepted, we will email you an acceptance letter along with a packet containing Faire rules and regulations. If you agree to the terms, you must sign the merchant agreement and return it to us. Once we receive it, you will be invoiced for the merchant fee. Please note your space is not reserved until all documents have been signed and fees received. Late fees will be applied for any payment received 30 days past your acceptance date.
All approved merchants can sleep at the Faire overnight in the designated camping area or your booth. Be sure to let them know you are a merchant and what days you need to camp. You will need to fill out a camping form and sent it to camping@ctfaire.com. RV spaces are also available.
We factor in many things with your application, including your overall presentation, your tent, and your costume. Even with everything spot on, sometimes we don't want to accept another booth selling similar items. For example, everyone wants to sell jewelry in addition to their main product. Unfortunately, we might not be able to take you in this time around. Don't give up. Just try again next year.
We'll send you an email to let you know that you were not accepted. Your application will remain on file.
Merchant Gallery
In our “guest” gallery, we show images of the Faire not typically shared through our social media platforms. We share these here to give an example of how busy our streets and shops can be.
Our “shops” gallery shows some examples of the types of products you might see at our show. Not all the photos shown here are currently at our Connecticut Renaissance Faire event meaning you may be able to sell that product with us.
