The 2009 Gourd Artists Gathering is pleased that you are interested in joining us! The 7th Annual Gathering is being held during the first weeks of Cherokee's official tourist season! Along with notifying the gourd community throughout the country, and around the world, we will be advertising the event in the local area as much as possible to draw in as many residents and tourists as possible. Admission to the grounds will be free.
HOURS
The Gathering will be open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday (June 5 & 6), and 8:00 a.m. to noon on Sunday (June 7).
Gathering activities for participants will begin at 8:00 a.m. each morning and run into the evening hours. We suggest that you have your booth open by 7:45 a.m. for students who may need supplies for their classes.
It is up to you if you want to keep your booth open later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The building will remain open into the evening, as other activities will be taking place there. If you prefer to close your booth, bring whatever you need to do so, such as covers for your inventory, etc.
There will be activities from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning that we want you to have the opportunity to take part in, so it is not required that you have your booth open until 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning classes start at 9:00 a.m. There are no Sunday afternoon classes.
SET-UP / TEAR-DOWN
You may set your booth up beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday (June 4), and/or at 7:30 a.m. on Friday. Vendors may drive onto the grounds for easy load-in and load-out during set-up and tear-down times, and to restock prior to 9:00 a.m. in the mornings. There are to be no vehicles parked and left unattended inside the fenced-in grounds at any time, other than vehicles or trailers which are part of the operation of the booth and which will stay on the grounds at all times.
On Friday morning, registration for attendees begins at 8:00 a.m. and classes won't begin until 9:00 a.m. This is going to give the attendees some time to visit booths, so be prepared for some enthusiastic early shoppers!
The event ends at 12:00 noon on Sunday, at which time you may begin dismantling your booth. Once you have everything ready to load into your vehicle, you may drive your vehicle onto the grounds to pack it up, then immediately move it out of the way so others can do the same.
GENERAL - BOOTHS
All vendors are to provide their own tables, displays, chairs, tents, electrical needs, etc. There are none available for use on the Grounds other than what is needed for classes.
Booths inside the building are 10' x 8'. The booths will be assigned on a “first-paid, first-served” basis. We will try to accommodate as many vendors inside as we can, but space is limited.
Booths outside will either be in gravel or in grass. There is plenty of room on the grounds, and each vendor will be allowed as much room as they need for their set-up at no additional charge for these outside spaces. No tents or other protection is provided for outside set-up, so be sure to bring everything you'll need with you.
All booth fees are due by APRIL 30, 2009.
SECURITY
The building will be locked at the end of nightly activities. The grounds are enclosed by a chain-link fence and locked at night, and there will be someone staying on the grounds at night. There are no other security measures, so plan accordingly.
COST
The rental fee for one booth inside the building is $50 for all three days (approximately 10' x 8').
This year's rental fee for booths outside on the Grounds is $125 for all three days ($75 goes directly to the Tribal Council, $50 will go towards Gathering expenses). Outside booth space sizes are not limited, and vendors can use as much space as they need.
Make checks payable to : “Cherokee Gathering” and send by April 30 to:
Jerry Lewis18607 Lassen St.Northridge, CA 91324Pleas DO NOT make checks payable to Jerry!
TRIBAL LEVY
Vendors will receive the necessary form(s) to report and pay the Tribal Levy. In the past, the rate has been 7%; if this has changed, you will be notified in advance. Darlene Whitetree will distribute the forms and collect payment.
INDEMNIFICATION AND RELEASE AGREEMENT
It is agreed that the participating vendors will indemnify and hold harmless the 2009 Gourd Artists Gathering and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian, from and against any and all liability, claims, demands, expenses, fees, fines, penalties, suits, proceedings, actions, and causes of action of any kind and nature arising or growing out of or in any way connected with the aforementioned Gathering and from all theft, damage, or mysterious disappearance of any merchandise and/or display materials exhibited. The vendor(s) involved will be held responsible for payment of any damage caused to any part of the grounds and its structures and fencing.
CANCELLATION POLICY
A 100% refund of all charges will be granted to any vendor who cancels participation in the show prior to May 1, 2009. Refunds for cancellations after May 1, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If you have questions or need more information regarding vending, contact Jerry.
