Vendor information

Apply here!

  • Everyone! Yes, really. Ren faires are a place for all people to bring their full selves to experience joy without irony or apology. Faires are generally a home for nerds of every type, and those who seek joy in a little analog escapism. This is a free, all-ages, nerdy-leaning event, and we expect the audience to have a wide range of tastes, styles, and needs. 

  • We aren’t fussy about your product being true to the Renaissance period of history - if you believe you have something joyful or unique to bring to our attendees, we’d love to see it. 

    Types of vendors we’re interested in featuring includes (but is not limited to, and in no particular order):

    • Candles,

    • Jewelry

    • Art prints

    • Hobbyist supplies

    • Leather work

    • Wood crafts

    • Pottery, ceramic, and similar

    • Textiles

    • Glass

    • Demonstrations

    • Interactive experiences

    • And beyond!

    We seek vendors who offer handcrafted art and goods. Your products can be whimsical, offbeat, unusual, rustic, romantic, nerdy, homemade, funny…we’re happy to consider anything, as long as you think it’s a fit. If in doubt, reach out!

  • We cannot allow alcohol sales or consumption at the event. That’s a requirement of our permit, and we cannot make any exceptions.

    Food vendors are welcome as long as your product is 1) prepared and packaged at a licensed facility, and 2) does not require on-site preparation - that is another limitation of our permit. If both of those things are true, we are happy to consider your application!

  • Because this is a free, public event in a City park, please be aware that this is an all-ages event. Not all products need to be “PG”, but we may need to use our best judgment when evaluating applications from vendors offering more adult products. For example, sex toys and kink gear will not be accepted. Slightly rude art prints or adult-humor products are likely fine! If in doubt, reach out!

    Our permit does not allow any cannabis products to be sold as we are an all-ages event.

    • All vendors will be given a 10x10 space in the grassy area of the park. 

    • No part of the actual event space is paved

    • The park has minimal shade

    • The park is fully fenced on three sides, and we will be setting up a controlled entrance and exit area.

    • There will be porta potties, and all event participants will have access to the park’s fieldhouse bathrooms until 5 p.m.

  • Unfortunately, we cannot provide electricity, and can’t host a generator for our vendors. 

    There is no wi-fi in the park.

    There is no refrigeration available on-site.

  • All retail vendors must have an Illinois Business Tax Number. Sorry - this is a condition of our permit and we can’t make any exceptions. 

    All food vendors must additionally provide proof of a licensed food prep and packaging facility.

    All vendors must be able to supply their own table(s), display set up, and if desired, seating. 

    We will give preference to vendors who have their own tents, but do not require them (but it’s June in Chicago - it might be tough without a tent!)

  • Absolutely! As long as your display area is comfortable to navigate, we’re happy to allow vendors to share a space. Due to City rules, however, each vendor will be required to pay their individual vendor fee. If you and another vendor are applying to co-vend together, please apply individually and make a note in your individual applications. 

  • The City charges us $25 per on-site vendor. If the fee is prohibitive to your participation please reach out to discuss; we want to make sure everyone who wants to participate has that ability. There is no fee to apply, but your City fee will be due once your application is accepted. We will not hold vendor spaces until the City fee has been received. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

  • There is a limited-space on-site parking lot on the far side of the park. There is also plentiful free and metered parking around the park. There is an hourly parking garage two blocks from the park.

  • We are still finalizing logistics with the park, but we anticipate having load-in and load-out zones. Staff will be on-hand to assist vendors. We will communicate load-in and load-out procedures clearly in advance once they are finalized.

  • We have a strict no-AI policy. We ask all artists to affirm that their creative process is AI-free on the application form. We can’t check, of course, but we hope you will be honest.

Apply here!