2025 Wayne Scott Strawberry Festival

Contact us at (423) 735-0517 or [email protected]

The 22nd Annual Wayne Scott Strawberry Festival aims to promote community spirit and neighborly support. Handmade crafters, churches, and non-profit organizations are the focus of the event, but retail vendors are also welcome! This event also hosts live music, the Strawberry Recipe Contest, the Strawberry Festival Pageant, the Kid Zone, and a wide variety of food options.

The Town of Unicoi is the organizer of the event and as such reserves the right to deny any product/vendor and may place stipulations on approval. Approval is contingent upon application and payment. If spaces become sold out, vendors may still apply to be placed on a wait list.

Please provide detailed descriptions of the items you plan to sell. You may attach an additional sheet if more room is needed. Please submit copies of Non-Profit Status, General Liability Insurance, and Health Permits when applicable. Photos may be required for review.

You may also apply in person or at the Tourist Information Center, located off Exit 32 in Unicoi. RE: Unicoi Strawberry Festival, 106 Unicoi Village Place, Unicoi, TN 37659.

Booth Spaces: Each space is 12’x12’. Boundaries will be marked with spray paint, and each booth number will be indicated in the center on a flag. It is important to respect your booth boundaries to ensure there is no encroachment on neighboring spaces. If a truck/trailer, or anything over 12’ x 12’ is requested, please reach out to the event coordinator prior to application for approval.

Booth Types:

Retail Vendor - Any item that is NOT handmade by the booth owner and is imported or manufactured by a third party. This includes vendors who do not sell items on site but provide information and promotion of services.

Non-Profit Food Vendor - Churches, school groups, non-profit civic groups, etc. selling food products. Proof of non-profit status required.

Craft Food Vendor - Pre-packaged food-products such as syrups, jams, jellies, baked breads, dressings etc. generally not served and consumed on site.

Retail Food Vendor - Specialty foods (popcorn, cotton candy, lemonade, etc.) prepared and served on site.

Food Truck Vendor - Self contained food trucks or carts preparing food for immediate consumption.

Booth Equipment: Vendors must provide their own tents, tables, shelves, chairs, change, etc. Tents are encouraged, but required to be secured with both stakes and weights, in a manner that will not create a hazard. Please ensure to mark any weights or stakes that may be a hazard to other vendors and festival goers. The area around your booth must be kept free of trip hazards and/or litter.

Booth Electricity. Electricity spaces are limited, so please register early if you need one. There is an additional $20 charge for electricity. Vendors must supply their own 12 gauge cords.

Booth Staffing: All vendors must staff their own booths. The event organizers or venue owners are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Vendors are responsible for their booth and merchandise.

Booth Items: Only the items listed on your application may be sold at your booth. You are not permitted to sell, transfer, or allow another vendor to operate your booth.

• Compliance: Any vendor not following the Festival Rules and Regulations may be asked to leave the event and forfeit their booth and fee.
• Festival Hours: The festival will operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Your signature on this application confirms your participation and agreement to adhere to all festival rules.
• Set Up. Vendors may set up their booths according to the following schedule:
• Friday, 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Open to all vendors. If you will be using a trailer or truck in your booth, it must be in your booth spot on Friday night. If you are using large trucks or trailers to drop-off supplies, you must drop off Friday. We will have extra patrol of the grounds during the night, but the town is not responsible for any damages or stolen items.
• Saturday, 7:30 a.m to 9:30 – Open to all vendors. Vendors will be allowed to drive onto the field for setup, but all vehicles must be off the field NO LATER THAN 9:30 a.m. Vehicles will not be allowed back onto the field until after 5 p.m.
• Take Down. Vendors must pack their entire booth, equipment, supplies/materials starting no earlier than 5 p.m. All items must be ready to load prior to retrieving vehicles. Early breakdown will not be allowed; doing so may result in not being excluded from future festivals. Once everything is loaded, please ensure all trash has been removed and promptly exit the field.
• Parking. During check-in, each vendor will be given 1 parking pass that allows access to the Massachusetts Avenue parking lot for one vehicle. Parking in this lot is extremely limited and on a first come, first serve basis. The lot will be open to the public at 10 a.m.
• Food Vendors. It is recommended all food vendors serving or sampling food observe safe food 2handling procedures and have a hand washing station. Craft Food Vendors should label products and provide a disclaimer: "This product was produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.” Any food vendor utilizing cooking equipment must have a standard Class ABC extinguisher. All vendors using oil/grease must have a Class K extinguisher. The Unicoi Volunteer Fire Dept will be conducting fire extinguisher inspections the morning of the event. Anyone who does not have proper extinguishers on-hand during the festival will not be allowed to fire-up any cooking equipment.
• Vendor Expectations. Vendors are expected to dress appropriately, be courteous to all guests, and provide accurate information to customers. Violations and complaints may result in not being allowed to participate in future events.
• Sales Tax: All vendors may need to collect Tennessee State Sales Tax. Sales tax forms will be provided by the Tennessee Department of Revenue (if applicable). Please contact the TIA Tax Enforcement Division at (423) 854-5364 for more details.
• Insurance: All vendors must provide proof of insurance, as required under “Terms,” no later than May 2, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
• Prohibited Items: The following items are strictly prohibited on festival grounds: Jumping jacks, fireworks, Chinese throwing stars, darts, axes, blow dart guns, guns, knives, weapons, and toy weapons. No hemp, CBD, alcohol, or tobacco products may be sold or used on school grounds. Anyone found to have these items will be asked to leave immediately and may not be allowed to participate in future events.
• Cancellations: Cancellations made before May 2 are eligible for a full refund, minus a $10 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after May 2, with no exceptions.
• Event Weather Policy: The festival will take place rain or shine. No refunds will be issued due to inclement weather or natural disasters (e.g., tornadoes, flooding), or other uncontrollable circumstances such as COVID-19-related cancellations.
• Health Requirements. The Vendor shall comply with all safety requirements, guidelines, rules, and regulations issued by any local, state, or federal authority, without limitation, pertaining to health regulations including but not limited to COVID-19. Vendor’s failure to comply with this section shall be considered a default and/or breach of this Agreement and will constitute cause to terminate this Agreement immediately at the Town’s sole discretion.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Unicoi Elementary School, 404 Massachusetts Avenue, Unicoi, United States