CRAFT VENDORS | FOOD VENDORS | ENTERTAINERS
OVERVIEW
The Ketner's Mill Country Arts Fair is held each October on the third weekend. Approximately 20,000 people attend the 2-day event, which is held on the grounds of the historic Ketner's Mill in Whitwell, TN. Whitwell is 45 minutes west of Chattanooga, and a good number of people come from Chattanooga to spend the day in the beautiful Sequatchie Valley.
Sunshine Artist magazine has included Ketner's Mill Country Fair on its list of Top 200 Craft Fairs nationally. With the Ketner's grist mill as its centerpiece, the fair showcases quality arts and crafts. Demonstrations of old-timey crafts and skills, including sorghum molasses cooking, blacksmithing, mule-driven cane crushing, and broom-making are an added highlight. The site is on the banks of the Sequatchie River, and canoe rides and mule-pulled wagon rides are available for family fun.
The Fair is outdoors, rain or shine, with room for 170 exhibitors. Food vendors and restrooms are available for your convenience. All crafts must be high quality, handmade original designs. Imported goods, flea market items and pre-molded and painted ceramics will not be accepted.
TIMELINE AND APPLICATION PROCESS
We accept applications for vendors any time of the year. Because the number of exhibitors is limited and there are further limitations within categories (for example, pottery or jewelry), please send in your application in as soon as possible. It is not uncommon for the fair to be fully booked several months in advance.
The deadline for previous vendors to apply each year is August 1.
Previous exhibitors are given priority in registering.
After applications from previous vendors have been processed in early August, the jurying committee will review and accept applications from new vendors, taking into account both quality of product, fit with the fair theme, and space within categories.
Applications received after August 1 each year will be evaluated on a rolling basis. If no space is available at the time, we may ask about your interest in a place on the wait list. We sometimes receive last-minute cancellations from vendors and we will use the wait list to fill these spots.
TO APPLY
Either print out the paper application and mail it to the address on the application form, or apply online by clicking below. If applying online and you do not have an online portfolio, please email photos of your craft and booth set up to apply@ketnersmill.org.
There is no application fee. If accepted, you’ll receive instructions in your acceptance letter to send in a check for the $140 vendor fee to reserve your booth spot.
Note: We are now accepting applications for the 2024 Fair. The deadline for previous vendors to apply is August 1, 2024, so we will not be able to give a firm decision for new applicants until then.
CRAFT VENDORS
Booth Specs & Guidelines
The Ketner's Mill Fair takes great pride in showcasing hand-made country arts & crafts. Although some portion of the craft components may be manufactured or found, the final product should be unique. Vendors that have no hand-made component or are selling on behalf of a multi-level marketing company (e.g. Scentsy) will not be accepted.
The booth size is 15' by 15', on a grassy surface. You must provide your own tent, tables and display. Double booth spaces are available.
Vehicles are not allowed to be part of the exhibit, and must be parked in designated areas following set-up.
You must be on site for the entire fair, from Saturday 9am-6pm and Sunday 10am-5:30pm EDT. Volunteer booth sitters are available on request.
Electrical plug-ins are not widely available, so we ask that you request electricity only if you absolutely need it. There is an extra charge of $10 for light-duty electricity.
FOOD VENDORS
Basic lunches of barbeque sandwiches, slaw, hot dogs, hamburgers, and so on are provided by the Powells Crossroads Community Group in the main food barn. Sales from the food barn benefit the Powells Crossroads community by funding the Crossroads Park, an area with baseball and soccer fields and recreational structures.
We also admit a select number of additional food vendors each year to complement our lunch offerings and supply visitors with the country fair favorites that everyone loves. Standard booth sizes of 15’ by 15’ still apply for food vendors, with multiple booth spaces available if your operation requires more square footage. Vendor fees for food vendors are 20% of total sales with a minimum of $140. We encourage you to apply using the application form above or contact us with any questions.
MUSICIANS & ENTERTAINERS
Ketner's Mill Country Arts Fair is a celebration of life in the Sequatchie Valley. Bluegrass, gospel and laughter are the favorite sounds of our neighbors and friends.
We have two stages where musicians can perform: the main stage and a smaller music tent near the food barn. The small tent is organized by River City Sessions.
Music and entertainment are booked separately by Mike’s Music. If you have a stage talent you would like to share at Ketner's Mill Country Arts Fair, please call Mike Castleberry at 706-820-1160.
