CRAFT VENDORS | FOOD VENDORS | ENTERTAINERS

OVERVIEW

The Ketner's Mill Country Arts Fair is held each October on the first weekend of the month, on the grounds of the historic Ketner's Mill in Whitwell, TN, 45 minutes west of Chattanooga in the Sequatchie Valley. Approximately 20,000 people attend the two-day event.

Ketner's Mill Country Fair has been named to Sunshine Artist magazine's list of Top 200 Craft Fairs nationally. With the Ketner's grist mill as its centerpiece, the fair showcases quality arts and crafts alongside demonstrations of old-timey crafts and skills — including sorghum molasses cooking, blacksmithing, mule-driven cane crushing, and broom-making. The site sits on the banks of the Sequatchie River, and mule-pulled wagon rides are available for family fun.

The fair is held outdoors, rain or shine, with room for 170 exhibitors. Food vendors and restrooms are available. All crafts must be high-quality, handmade, original designs — imported goods, flea market items, and pre-molded or painted ceramics will not be accepted. 

TIMELINE AND APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications open each year in January and close September 15.

• Returning vendors: Have priority to reserve their same spot through July 1.

• After July 1: Any spots not reserved by returning vendors open up to all vendors. The jurying committee reviews new applications based on product quality, fit with the fair's theme, and available space within each category.

• If a category is full: We may offer you a spot on the wait list. Last-minute cancellations do happen, and we use the wait list to fill those openings.

Because exhibitor space is limited — and further limited within categories such as pottery or jewelry — we encourage you to apply as early as possible. The fair is often fully booked several months in advance.

Applications are not accepted after September 15.

TO APPLY

To apply, click the "Apply" button below. You'll be taken to an application form on Shop the Market At's EventHub page. There is no application fee. If accepted, you'll receive an email confirming your acceptance.

You can also check out our website for more details at https://shopthemarketat.com/events/.

Application will redirect you to Shop the Market At™.

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 designed for a 10' by 10' tent, 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.

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. 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.

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.