Become a Community Group Vendor

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Local non-profit community groups are invited to participate in the 2025 Coast Guard Community Festival for FREE. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to reach up to 5,000 people. Priority will be given to groups providing educational Coast Guard-related displays and hands-on activities.

Application deadline: April 18, 2025

Apply using the form below or download the form and return it to:
[email protected] or
P.O. Box 1365, Rio Grande NJ 08242

Applications approved on a rotating basis. Final inclusions notified by May 1, 2025.

FEES: There is NO VENDOR FEE for non-profits with educational, informational and/or hands-on displays. We encourage our non-profit groups to bring their own equipment including tables, chairs and tents. If equipment is needed, rental fees will apply.
There is a fee for non-profits with retail sales with advance approval: $50
Rent a Table and Chairs: $50
Rent a 10×10 Tent: $100

Set-up: 7 to 8:30 AM
Festival: 10 AM to 4 PM
Break-down: 4:30 PM

LIST OF STAFF
By May 9, 2025, please email the names of the people who will be arriving prior to the start of the Festival to set up your exhibit as well as those working throughout the day. THE COAST GUARD RUNS THIS LIST FOR SPECIAL CLEARANCE.

Community Group Application

Organization*
Contact Person*
First Last
Email*
Phone*
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
Name(s) of People Who Will Work Your Exhibit*
Exhibit Content/ Display Description (upload a sheet if necessary)*
Our space will be used for: (check all that apply)*
- Information
- Display
- Hands-on Activity
- Fundraising/donation drive (Approval required)
- Retail sales (Approval required, please review guidelines)
Please describe your Hands-On Activity
List items for purchase (or attach sheet)
Space Requirements (typically 10’x10′)
Frontage needed
Depth Needed
Please indicate set-up needs for your Vendor Space
- Folding Table & 2 Chairs ($50)
- Tent $100)
- Electric Service **not guaranteed
Number of Folding Tables
Number of Folding Chairs
Please upload additional information as needed (optional)
Max. file size: 5 MB.
Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Community Group Guidelines

The annual Coast Guard Community Festival will be held aboard U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May on May 17, 2025. The Festival celebrates Cape May County’s designation as an official Coast Guard Community and recognizes the ongoing special relationship between the Coast Guard and our local communities. Non-profit community groups and service providers are invited to participate to highlight resources available to Coast Guard personnel, their families and our community. The Festival Committee will approve the participation of all community groups to ensure that exhibits are consistent with the mission of the Festival.

General

The General Public is invited to attend. Admission to the Festival is FREE.
The Festival is held on an active military base. All rules and regulations must be followed at all times.
Adults are required to have valid photo identification. Vehicles must have valid registration and insurance. Bags and containers are subject to search.
Community groups are required to maintain a physical presence at their exhibit throughout the Festival. At no point should the exhibit be left unstaffed.
Any community group who misrepresents the content or intent of their exhibit will be asked to leave the festival.
Once your application has been accepted, fees (if applicable) are non-refundable for any reason, including weather.
Make checks payable to the Cape May County Coast Guard Community Foundation.

Content of Exhibits

Local community groups and organizations are encouraged to provide educational and informational displays for the benefit of Coast Guard personnel and members of our community. The purpose of the exhibit should be to heighten awareness about community resources not to sell a particular good or service.
Exhibits should be appropriate for all ages.
The name of the community group should be prominently displayed on the exhibit.

Fundraising and Sale of Goods

Requests to sell goods must be made at the time of application. Only approved items may be sold.
Requests and approvals must be in writing to be valid. A $50 fee applies and must be remitted in advance.
Requests to conduct fundraising and/or donation drives to support community groups must be made in writing. Requests will be reviewed and approved by the Foundation Board.

Logistics

Community groups are required to have their exhibits set-up by 9:30 AM. Exhibits must remain until 4 PM. LATE SET-UP OR EARLY BREAKDOWN IS NOT ALLOWED. Materials or items may not be left on site.
This is a rain or shine event. There is no rain date. All exhibit spaces are outdoors. No shelter will be provided. Community groups and their exhibits must be prepared for a full day outdoors with proper precautions taken to protect from weather-related issues (wind, sun, etc.)
Community groups who bring their own tent are responsible for properly securing it for wind by using weights (sand bags, concrete buckets, water jugs, etc.). Staking of tents is not allowed.
Community groups may bring food for their own consumption during the day. This food cannot be offered for sale. Alcoholic beverages may not be brought on base.
Parking will be provided in a designated area for one vehicle associated with the exhibit. The vehicle must remain parked for the whole event. Vehicle movement is not allowed during the Festival.
Your exhibit location will be assigned by the committee and you will not be notified in advance of the event.
The Festival does not assume responsibility for any loss or damage of property related to the community group’s participation in the festival.
*WI-FI not available on site