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.
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.
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.
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.
*No applications accepted until January 2026
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
- 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.
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. Crafts person must be present.
-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 Vendor Manager prior to participating.
-Fees must be paid in full for the application to be considered completed and space is reserved.
-The Applicant will receive an email of acceptance or denial within 7 days of submitting their application.
-Approved applicant will receive an email when all fees and information requested has been received.
-All booth spaces measure 10’x10’.
-A vendor may reserve more than one space at Fair and Trials.
-Vendors must supply their own 10’x10’ pop-up tent, tables, chairs and display racks.
-All vendors must Register with the Idaho State Tax Commission. We will do this for you! I will get your information off your application. A Temporary Sales Permit is part of this. You will receive in an email from the Idaho Tax Commission with your registration.
-We ask updated images be sent in separate email to sheila@trailingofthesheep.org.
-We’d also like a headshot/selfie for our files only. Email to Sheila.
-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 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.
VENDORS SELLING FOOD PRODUCTS
-Food items need to be made from sheep/sheep by-products, complement lamb or are related to sheep ranching and ranching life.
-There are two divisions for vendors selling food items: 1. Tastings of bottled or packaged product for sale or 2. Serving food to be consumed onsite or take home.
-Both must provide a Health Permit.
-Trucks and trailers must have a permit to handle/manage food in a mobile unit. (Mobile
Food Establishment License)
-If offering food in a pop-up vendor must have a Temporary Structure Permit.
-(go to https://phd5.idaho.gov/forms/ for more information, or call the South Central office)
-ALL lamb offered must be USDA certified and from the USA. (We can help broker lamb for you upon request.)
-Disposable gloves must be worn when handling food.
-If using an open flame (propane gas cooker), vendor is required to let us know and provide a fire extinguisher.
-All utensils, cups, plates and napkins used to serve food must be BPI Certified.
-No single use plastics are allowed.
-We have recycling at all venues and serving items must be compostable.
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. Applications
are dated when application, fees and all information requested has been received. This
determines your space position.
-March – Historically, Folklife Fair and Closing Party spaces are all reserved by mid-March.
-AUGUST 1ST – Last day to submit Application. This is also 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.
NATIONAL QUALIFYING SHEEPDOG TRIALS
Location: 2400 Buttercup Road, Hailey
Hours: Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-2pm
-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
-Hours: Saturday 10am-4pm
-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 -
IF 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.
-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
-Hours: 10am-3pm
-This one-day event offers vendors selling handcrafted items.
-Vendors require Vendor Manager 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.
-Vendors are given spaces in order of application is received and completed.
-Vendors at Town Square are responsible for collecting and paying an additional 2% city tax on all non-food merchandise. A list of vendors is given to the City of Ketchum. There is a separate form to pay the city tax that will be emailed to you about 30 days before event.
-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.
FEES
-There is ONE Application Fee (no matter the number of venues) of $35.00. This is a non-refundable fee.
-Sheepdog Trials’ Fees: $175.00 per 10’x10’ booth space for all days.
-Folklife Fair Fees: $175.00 per 10’x10’ booth space.
-Fair Vendors also vending at the Sheepdog Trials on Friday: $175.00 per 10’x10’ booth
space.
-Happy Trails Fees: $175.00 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 by the Tax Commission.
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 suggested camping areas and lodging.
-Please make any commercial lodging reservations as soon as you are approved. The festival fills 85-90% of available lodging.
-IF you have a self contained (toilet, water, cooking) RV, camper or trailer and would like to park at the Sheepdog Trials. Please let us know in separate email.
LIABILITY
-By signing the application, you release the Trailing of the Sheep Festival from any
liability for your property or products.
-You also give Trailing of the Sheep permission to use your photos for festival promotion COPYRIGHTS.
-The Trailing of the Sheep Festival logo is part of the organization’s brand and is copyrighted.
-TOTS does not give consent to anyone to use our logo. Vendors wanting to identify item was sold at festival may say “Made by (your name); sold at Trailing of the Sheep Festival”. Wording that does not imply the Festival has endorsed your product.
-All images appearing on the festival website or other Trailing of the Sheep Festival published material will be used exclusively by the festival.
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 for any venue, 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.
-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.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Please direct all further vendor questions to the following:
Sheila Kelley, Program Director/ Vendor Manager -sheila@trailingofthesheep.org
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.