Become a Merchandise Vendor

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Artisan food and high-quality merchandise vendors are welcome to participate in the 2025 Coast Guard Community Festival. More than 5,000 people are expected to attend this year’s event. Vendor spaces are limited and will be granted by application only. Coast Guard-themed merchandise is encouraged and preferred. Spaces are typically 10’ x 10’ with electrical hookups available upon request. Vendors are expected to bring their own equipment.  We encourage all vendors to bring their own equipment, but chairs, tables and tents will be available for a fee. Please read the attached guidelines before applying.

Application deadline: April 18, 2025
Fees: Merchandise vendors— $125
Payment will be due when your application is approved.
Set-up: 7 to 8:30 AM Festival: 10 AM to 4 PM Break-down: 4:30 PM

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

Event organizers will not supply any equipment to vendors. If you bring your own tent, please review the guidelines. Please attach any available photography of your setup and/or product.

LIST OF STAFF
Please provide a list of your 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 for the day. THE COAST GUARD RUNS THIS LIST FOR SPECIAL CLEARANCE.

Merchandise Vendor Application

  • This helps us avoid duplication among vendors. Only items disclosed on this form will be permitted. Kindly attach a separate sheet if necessary.

  • Space Requirements

  • Max. file size: 2 MB.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Vendor Guidelines

The annual Coast Guard Community Festival at Training Center Cape May will be held 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. Vendors are invited to enhance the Festival atmosphere by providing high-quality food service and merchandise sales with a special emphasis on products related to the Coast Guard. The Festival committee will approve all vendors to ensure that sales are consistent with the mission of the Festival. No political, confederate or rebel merchandise allowed. Vendors unloading merchandise will be allowed in the Vendor Lot, all others will be directed to the overflow lot.

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.
  • A list of names of individuals entering the base as part of each vendor’s company will be required in advance of the Festival. Adults are required to have valid photo identification. Vehicles must have valid registration and insurance. Bags and containers are subject to search.
  • Any vendor who misrepresents themselves on this application will be asked to leave the Festival.
  • Once your application is accepted, fees are non-refundable for any reason including weather.
  • Make checks payable to Cape May County Coast Guard Community Foundation.

Logistics

  • Vendors are required to have their areas set-up by 9:30 AM and must remain until 4 PM. LATE SET-UP AND EARLY BREAKDOWN IS NOT ALLOWED. Materials or items may not be left on site.
  • The Festival is a rain or shine event. There is no rain date. All vendor spaces are outdoors. No shelter will be provided. Vendors must be prepared for a full day outdoors with proper precautions taken to protect from weather-related issues (wind, sun, bugs, etc.)
  • Vendors are responsible for properly securing their equipment for wind by using weights (sandbags, concrete buckets, water jugs, etc.). Staking of tents is not allowed.
  • Vendors 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 vendor. The vehicle must remain parked for the whole event. Vehicle movement is not allowed during the festival.
  • The location of your vendor space will be determined 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 vendor’s participation in the festival.
  • Vendors will be required to present a Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming “Cape May County Coast Guard Community Foundation” as co-insured.
    *WI-FI not available on site.