Vendor Opportunities

Applications are open from January 1 st to September 1 st each year or until spaces are filled. There is one application form that includes all venues.

NOTE: Craft, Food and Bar vending spaces for the Happy Trails Closing Party are currently FULL. Vending spaces for the Lamb Fest Lunch and Bar are also FULL for the Folkife Fair, and Food and Bar vending spaces are FULL for the Sheepdog Trials. (Please email Sheila at sheila@trailingofthesheep.org to be placed on waitlists for these events.)

Folklife Fair

Sheepdog Trials

Happy Trails Closing Party

Folklife Fair

With 6,500- 7,000 people attending our one-day show, the 80 plus selected vendors find participating very rewarding. Artisans, painters, weavers, spinners, felters and other crafts people come from all over the West, over 80% returning annually. Many vendors
say our festival is their favorite. Because of the quality of the goods offered, vendors also shop and trade amongst themselves.

We accept all qualified vendors on a first-come basis which is the date we have your completed application, bio and images on file, and payment, regardless of previous participation.

Sheepdog Trials

Our Trials has an attendance of 3,500 spectators over the 2.5 days. Many Festival patrons only attend this event. Most returning each day.

We welcome vendors who can offer homemade items and crafts. Although the Festival’s focus is on sheep and dogs for this venue, alpaca products, windsocks, outdoor clothing, and other unique goods offer a special variety to his event.

The vendor area is held adjacent to the qualifying field. It has a more relaxed attitude; handlers, spectators and dog sponsors waiting for their favorite dog to run. Many vendors prefer Trials.

No electricity is available; you may need a ‘hot spot’ for sales.

Happy Trails Closing Party

Celebrate the culmination of an amazing festival at the Happy Trails Closing Party. Vending locations in Ketchum Town Square before and after the Big Sheep Parade.

Vendor Application

Vendor Details

New Inquiries

Please follow these steps to inquire about your participation:

Click on the INFORMATION button after you read the rest of these steps. Carefully review the guidelines, dates, fees and additional details. Most of your questions will be answered in this document.
If you have any further questions about qualifying, email the event contact person: sheila@trailingofthesheep.org (Fair and Happy Trails at Town Square) or brenda@trailingofthesheep.org (Trials).
Determine if you meet the defining criteria.
After you have determined you will qualify, click the APPLICATION button; complete the application, pay the non-refundable $35.00 Application Fee and submit.
Email 2-3 images of items you are offering and a short description of your work.
Email a 25-50 word bio of yourself and work.
Submission of your application does not guarantee acceptance.
You will be informed of your acceptance within seven days of receipt of your Application, Application Fee payment, images and bio. Once approved, we will request payment for your requested booth space(s).

FOOD TRUCKS & VENDORS: We are a sheep festival. Our events offer lamb dishes to our visitors. We do have limited opportunities for vendors who offer desserts, treats or drinks. If you have other items, please email us first. (Accepted vendors will be charged for two spaces)

Vendor Information

Thank you for your interest in being a Vendor at the annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival!

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL VENUES

All items displayed or sold must be in keeping with the Trailing of the Sheep Festival’s mission, “To gather, celebrate, present, and preserve the history and cultures of sheepherding in Idaho and the West.”
All vendors are required to create and sell their own products.
Commercial endeavors are not permitted.
All vendors must fill out an application regardless of whether selling, exhibiting or sharing a display.
All vendors must be approved by a member of the Festival Team prior to participating.
Fees must be paid in full as part of the approval process.
The Applicant will receive an email of acceptance or denial within 7 days of submitting an application.
Approved applicant will receive an email of approval once all fees and information have been received.
All booth spaces measure 10’x10’.
A vendor may reserve more than one space at all venues.
Vendors must supply their own 10’x10’ pop-up tent, tables, chairs and display racks.
Vendors selling food items must provide a Health Permit with application.
Vendors selling prepared food or drinks, consumed on site, need to contact us prior to submitting applications.
All utensils, cups, plates and napkins used to serve food must be BPI Certified.
No single use plastics are allowed.
All vendors must Register with the Idaho State Tax Commission.
We ask updated images be sent in separate email to Brenda@trailingofthesheep.org for Trials or sheila@trailingofthesheep.org for Fair and Closing Party.
Submitted images of a vendor’s craft may be used by the Festival Team to promote and advertise the Festival.
Vendors are allowed to share spaces; but both parties must be compliant with the qualifications.
There is no electricity available to access at the Sheepdog Trials or Closing Party; and access to electricity is limited at the Folklife Fair.
Special space requests are seriously considered but there are no guarantees.
Vendors leaving earlier than closing, without prior permission, will not be allowed to participate for one or more years.

IMPORTANT DATES

January - Applications for all venues are posted on the festival website at the beginning of January annually. Applications are only accepted during the current year.
March – Historically, Folklife Fair and Closing Party spaces are all reserved by mid-March.
August 1st – This is the last day to cancel and receive a refund for space fees. The application fee and any credit card processing fees are non-refundable, and a $10.00 administrative fee will be deducted.
September 1st- Deadline for all applications for all venues

NATIONAL QUALIFYING SHEEPDOG TRIALS
Location: 2400 Buttercup Road, Hailey

This is a 2.5-day event that welcomes vendors who offer unique items and crafts attractive to dog lovers, sheep and fiber fans and outdoor enthusiasts. Hand-crafted and unique products which are created by vendors are sought.
Distributors of quality pet products, products focused on pet lovers, outdoor wear and other products that complement dogs, sheep and an outdoor lifestyle are permitted.
Items made with alpaca and other fibers are also accepted at the Sheepdog Trials.
Check-in and set-up for vendors is open Thursday from 1:00 to 5:00 pm and Friday from 8:30 to 9:30 am.
The Trials are open to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Friday and Saturday and 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Sunday.
The Trials’ Finals are held on Sunday.
Vendors need to be torn-down and off the site by dark on Sunday.

SHEEP FOLKLIFE FAIR
Location: Roberta McKercher Park, between 3rd and 4th Streets, Hailey

This one-day fair is a juried event with a focus on sheep.
A Minimum of 75% of ALL items displayed or sold in a vendor’s booth must be directly related to sheep including: items made from wool or sheep by-products, items made in the shape of sheep or items that complement cooking with lamb. Also allowed are books, artwork and other items that focus on sheep, wool crafts, the sheep industry, or sheep ranching life.
A limited number of vendors who offer handcrafted alpaca and angora plus other fibers - as long as they are blended with sheep wool - are allowed.
The festival is not accepting any new vendors who are only selling 100% alpaca products at the Folklife Fair.
Items need to be handcrafted by the vendor. Importers or booths with factory-made products are not accepted unless the vendor family owns the sheep and operates the factory.
Food items in the arts and crafts area. Tastings are acceptable. Food items need to be made from sheep/sheep by-products, complement lamb or are related to sheep ranching and ranching life.
Co-ops are allowed when the vendor is crafting and selling his/her own products and selling items which are handcrafted by known family and friends. This needs to be stated in the application. Further information may be required before acceptance.
Check-in and set-up for vendors is open Friday from 1:00 to 6:00 pm and Saturday from 7:30 to 9:30 am.
The Fair is open to the public from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday.
Unloading and loading: There is only one access for vehicles and trailers to the park interior. (This is located on the Northeast corner in a flat area.) Do not block this area at any time. Do not drive over berms. Please move your vehicle(s) outside of the park by 9:30 am Saturday.
Tear down begins at 4:00 pm.

HAPPY TRAILS CLOSING PARTY
Location: Ketchum Town Square, corner of 4th and East Avenue, Ketchum

This one-day event is a combination of Fair and Trials’ vendors with handcrafted items.
Vendors require Festival Team approval and must have also participated as a vendor at the Sheepdog Trials or the Folklife Fair for at least one year prior to vending at Town Square.
Parking: Accepted vendors will receive a parking permit from the Festival Team upon check -in at Trials or the Fair. Please display this in your vehicle all day on Sunday.
Vendors at Town Square are responsible for collecting and paying an additional 2% city tax on all non-food merchandise. We will also post it on our website. If you have a permit already, you can email me that number.
Check-in and set-up for vendors is open from 7:30 am to 10:00 am Sunday.
The event is open to the public from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Sunday.
Tear-down starts at 3:00 pm. Please be off the site by 5:00 pm Sunday.

NEW VENDORS INFORMATION

If your application does not meet the qualifications to be at the Folklife Fair, or if you apply and the event is sold out, you are welcome to apply to be a vendor at the Sheepdog Trials.
In your first year applying, you may wish to attend just one of our vending opportunities. Many vendors will vend at more than one venue after a year of experience.
Please consider bringing someone to help you with set up, sales, breaks and tear down.
It is recommended that you pack beverages and food since time away from your booth is not guaranteed.
Food vendors at the Folklife Fair offer lamb dishes, but lunch lines are long and there are not many other food choices within walking distance of the park.
If you have not attended the festival before, it is recommended that you stay through Sunday and attend the Big Sheep Parade. There are many other events you might also enjoy. Please visit the festival website for the complete Schedule.

FEES

There is ONE Application Fee (no matter the number of venues) of $35.00. This is a non-refundable fee.
Sheepdog Trials’ Fees: $150.00 per 10’x10’ booth space for all days.
Folklife Fair Fees: $150.00 per 10’x10’ booth space.
Fair Vendors also vending at the Sheepdog Trials on Friday: $75.00 per 10’x10’ booth space.
Happy Trails Fees: $150.00 per space.
There is a non-refundable credit card processing fee for online payments.
Cancelations before the deadline will receive a refund check for space fees minus a $10.00 administrative fee.
There are no refunds for no-shows and no-shows will not be allowed to participate again for at least one year.
IMPORTANT: If you have a last-minute situation and cannot attend, please text or call immediately to protect your standing. You may qualify for credit on your space fee(s).

SALES AT ALL FESTIVAL VENUES

Vendors are responsible for their own sales at all venues.
Be prepared with manual sales books should Wi-Fi become unavailable.
Vendors are responsible for collecting and paying a 6% Idaho State Sales Tax on all transactions.
Happy Trails vendors are responsible for the 2% city tax on top of state tax. You will be emailed a Local Tax Remittance for Special Event Vendors close to festival.
Vendors need to have their Sales Permits on display.
Trailing of the Sheep is required to register our event with the Tax Commission. We will take your Idaho Tax information and register you with the Commission. Any Temporary Sales Permits will be issued with registration.

WEATHER

All venues are outside.
Historically, the weather is cold and damp in the morning hours, then often warms up and is bright and sunny (up to 80 degrees) in the afternoons. It can also snow or be windy.
For the best sales potential, please consider the extremes, dress in layers and be prepared.
Please collapse your pop-ups overnight and weigh them down day and night for unexpected winds. There is no designated overnight security.

LODGING

Visit the festival website for additional camping areas and lodging.
Please make any commercial lodging reservations as soon as you are approved. The festival fills 85-90% of available lodging.

LIABILITY

By signing an application, you release the Trailing of the Sheep Festival from any liability for your property or products.
The Trailing of the Sheep Festival logo is part of the organization’s brand and not available for vendor usage.
All images appearing on the festival website or other published material will be used exclusively by the festival.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please direct all further vendor questions to the following:

Folklife Fair and Town Square: Sheila Kelley, Program Director - sheila@trailingofthesheep.org
Sheepdog Trials: Brenda Lyon, Trials Coordinator- brenda@trailingofthesheep.org

Payments

PAY BY CHECK: Make check out to Trailing of the Sheep. Memo Line: Vendor fees.
Mail to: Trailing of the Sheep – P.O. Box 3692, Hailey, Idaho 83333
or
PAY ONLINE: Click the button below and find the box that applies or enter amount in Custom Payment box. Paying the credit card fees is an option; but we appreciate your paying them.

Vendor Fees