Harbor Arts Fair - Fall 2026

Please join us for the annual Fall Harbor Arts Fair on Saturday and Sunday, October 3 & 4, 2026. The fair takes place during Maine Craft Weekend, a statewide celebration of Maine artists and crafters. We would love to welcome you to the salty air and intimate surroundings of our Harbor Park and Amphitheatre during the peak of fall leaf-peeping season when the town of Camden is bustling with tourists.  This show is a well-attended, long-standing community event. It is held on the National Historic Landmark grounds of the Camden Public Library.

The Harbor Arts Fair is a 2 day celebration of art in the heart of Midcoast Maine. In addition to around 60 artist vendors, this event includes local, live music on the steps of the Camden Public LIbrary, A Community Arts Tent with free, family-friendly art projects, a student artist tent displaying artwork from local high school art students, as well as food truck vendors. 
 

Artists' Timeline for Fall 2026 Harbor Arts Fair: 

• Application Deadline for July show: Midnight on September 1, 2026
• Rolling Jury throuhgout application time; artists will typically be notified within a few weeks of application.
• Vendors Accept and Pay Booth Fee by: Friday, September 11, 2026
• Booth spaces assigned once all artists are accepted and paid in full.
• Event Dates: Saturday & Sunday, October 3 & 4, 2026
   

ATTENTION: The Application Deadline is midnight on September 1, 2026 -- OR EARLIER, if the venue becomes filled to capacity. If filled earlier than the deadline, we will begin a wait-list. We will accept up to 10 artists on the waitlist.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Applications are accepted through Zapplication only. 3 images of art and one of booth (showing actual shelter and representative art displayed) is required. When filling out the application, attention should be given to the artist's statement on process. 
All artworks displayed and sold must be substantively produced by the hands using non computer assisted or AI means. No mold-made or buy-sell art of any kind is permitted!
***Applications must be received, juried, accepted and paid in full before booth spaces are assigned. 

JURY PROCESS
Our Jury process is on-going throughout the application time period. Artists can expect to be notified within several weeks of application. Vendors who are accepted will receive invitations for the show on a rolling basis. Booth space preferences will be considered in the order in which vendors are confirmed for the show as well as past history with the Harbor Arts Fair. 

ACCEPTED MEDIUM CATEGORIES:

• Basketry
• Ceramics
• Digital Art
• Fiber
• Food
• Functional Art
• Glass
• Jewelry
• Metal
• Mixed Media
• Painting
• Photography
• Printmaking
• Sculpture
• Wood
• Works on Paper
• Rare or Collectible Books

FEES
Jury/Entry Fee -- $25 (non-refundable)
Booth Fees:  $275 Single Booth  /  $550 Double Booth

The Fee is for booth space only -- tents and furniture are not provided.

AMENITIES

• Vendors will have use of the Picker Room on the first floor of the Camden Public Library as a "vendor lounge" area. Hot coffee, tea, water, fruit and snacks will be available throughout the weekend. 
• Free Wi-Fi is available for all vendors. The password will be made available in the welcome packet upon arrival to the show at set-up time.
• The Harbor Arts Fair staff provides booth sitting throughout the weekend for any vendors who need a break. 
• Overnight security is provided from 7pm - 7am both Friday and Saturday nights.
• Restrooms are available on the ground floor of the Camden Public Library. There are also 2 porta-potty toilets available on the hill leading up to the library's Book Sale in the Meadow Parking Lot behind the Amphitheatre. 

EMERGING ARTISTS
For 2026, we're trying out an emerging artists program to help encourage artists early in their careers. There is no age limit to be an emerging artist.  Please select on the application if you are applying as an emerging artist. Those applications will be considered separately as a group. One of the applicants will be chosen and accepted to the show with the booth fee waived for the show. *Please note the deadline for Emerging Artist application is August 1: One month earlier than standard applications. 

MAP
EACH YEAR, IT IS THE VENDOR'S RESPONSIBILITY TO VIEW THE MAP AND NOTE ANY CHANGES.
*The Map for 2026 has changed in some ways. Booth numbers may not be the same as 2025.
The attached map is not to scale (to view the map, go to the EVENT SITE MAP button at the bottom right of the Event Information page for the Harbor Arts Fair -- Fall 2026 in ZAPP). "Event Site Map" should be visible at the very bottom of this page. It is only intended as a representation of the fairgrounds and booth locations.   Occasional map or booth adjustments can be made by Harbor Arts Administrators. Also, please note, we try hard to honor your booth requests, however there are many instances where it's not possible, especially if your application is received later in the application period. 


IMPORTANT!!
A space in the show is only finalized once it has been moved to the confirmed status of the ZAPP application process. When you accept the ZAPP invitation to the fair, you are in the accepted status (but not in the confirmed status yet). We cannot assign your booth location until the booth fee is paid, which then moves you into the confirmed status. Until you are paid/confirmed, an application coming in after yours (if it has been fully paid) will move that vendor ahead of you to the confirmed status and we will note their booth preferences at that time. Although booth choices are never guaranteed, we do try to select one of your three requested locations provided in the application (whenever possible). 

• Booth Fee Payment Deadline: September 11, 2026
• Show Dates: Saturday & Sunday, October 3 & 4, 2026

SHOW HOURS
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. & Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
After the fair is over, Atlantic Avenue will reopen to traffic on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 6 p.m.
 

RULES

• For the safety of persons and products, ALL TENTS MUST BE WEIGHTED to add support during wind and/or rain events. A minimum of 30 lbs. per tent leg is required. 

• PLEASE NOTE: STAKES SHOULD NOT BE USED, because the library has an underground irrigation system.

• The Vendor shall maintain his/her display booth and operate in an orderly manner and shall comply with all City Ordinances and Codes applicable to such an operation.

• It is understood and agreed that the Vendor is acting as an independent contractor in their capacity hereunder. The Vendor shall be responsible for all acts or omissions of its employees and volunteers. 

• PLEASE DO NOT BRING PETS (Note: Service animals are welcome but their purpose will be verified). While animals make wonderful companions, an arts festival is just not the place for your pet friend. Permission may be granted under special circumstances, with the caveat that the Vendor must talk with Harbor Arts Administration prior to the show and, if granted, must comply with specific rules.

• THERE IS NO SMOKING OF ANY KIND ON THE Camden Public Library CAMPUS.

• Due to it being a potential hazard, electric power on the library grounds is not offered.

• Parking spaces reserved ONLY for vendors with handicap parking permit needs. There will be parking information and a map provided in the vendor folder upon arrival.

• Harbor Arts Administrators have the sole right to determine eligibility for a product or a company in its exposition.

• Harbor Arts Administrators have the right to change the location of assigned Vendor space.

• Vendor agrees not to assign nor to sublet the allotted space.

• Vendor may display or advertise only goods and services normally created or offered in the course of its business. Vendor must not display items that have not been juried and may not display items that are not handmade/crafted.

• All Vendors agree to staff their booths during show hours. 

• The Vendor shall at all times enforce strict discipline and good order among their employees and/or volunteers; and shall not employ any unfit person or anyone not skilled in the task assigned to them. The Vendor shall also be responsible for initiating, maintaining, and supervising all safety precautions in their assigned space.

• Harbor Arts Administrators reserve the right to restrict booth size, noise, character, lights, entertainment, and methods of operation that it deems objectionable. Any behavior or equipment that Management finds to detract from the general appearance and intention of the Exposition may be grounds for eviction. Vendors are encouraged to check with Management before the Exposition regarding any item that Management might find objectionable.

• ​Harbor Arts has the right to establish rules for the show and the use of exhibit space covered by this agreement, including but not limited to placement of all decorations, signage, and display items. We may require the replacement or redecorating of an item, display, or booth and no costs shall accrue to Management because of such necessity. Vendors are responsible to cover or fix all areas considered unsightly at Vendor's expense. Should the Vendor fail to follow Exposition deadlines for installation in terms of occupying the agreed-upon booth space, Harbor Arts Administrators shall repossess said space and Vendor forfeits all claims to it and all monies paid. No Vendor shall dismantle, unpack, or vacate a stand prior to the end of the official show hours without the express written permission of Management. Harbor Arts reserves the right to amend and enforce Exposition regulations as it deems proper to assure the success of the event.

• Vendor is responsible for timely submittal of fees as required in the application. Should Vendor fail to make payments, Harbor Arts Administrators shall have the right to repossess any assigned space after notifying Vendor in writing of the intent to do so. In the event of default by Vendor, Vendor remains responsible for payments due and assumes the responsibility for all enforcement costs incurred by Harbor Arts in collecting such fees.

• Overnight, there will be paid security provided by Harbor Arts Administrators, but Vendors are solely and fully responsible for their own exhibits, property, and persons, and should insure against any loss or damage.  

• Harbor Arts Administrators reserve the right to place vendors using any or all of the criteria mentioned in this application. Complaints about final booth assignments will not facilitate a booth change in the current show, nor guarantee a particular space in any future show.

 

• The vendor is responsible for submitting their top three booth number preferences when applying to each and every show, no matter how many prior years of exhibiting. Submitting preferences will not guarantee placement. However, we use the preferences as a guideline while taking into account several factors, like: map configuration, total number of vendors, space, and types of products being sold (among other considerations). 

 

• There will be absolutely no adjusting booth location, nor any adjustments made to the booth orientation, without talking to a Harbor Arts Fair Administrator, who will be designated to make show decisions. We do have a lot of volunteers who work this event, but they are not administrators who can make show decisions. Harbor Arts Fair Administrators will be wearing a name tag identifying themselves.

BOOTHS

• Booth size -- 10 X 10 (single) $275
• Booth size -- 20 X 10 (double)  $550
• Booth assignments are generally made taking into consideration representation at previous events; the date a request is received; availability of requested area; the amount of space requested; special needs; compatibility of vendors; and whether or not the booth fees have been paid. Harbor Arts Administrators however, reserve the right to use other assignment criteria.

• It is the Vendor's responsibility to submit the top three booth number preferences when applying to the show each and every time the vendor applies (please consult the site map before requesting spaces because there are map changes since last year). Please click on "Event Site Map" at the very bottom of this page. 

• Because some of the booth locations are on lawn areas, please bring shims to balance or stabilize displays and tables.

• We cannot guarantee that a company exhibiting similar products, or a competitor, will not be located in a nearby or adjoining booth space.

• Harbor Arts Administrators also reserve the right to reconfigure booth space and relocate a booth as necessary with the understanding that the Vendor shall be verbally notified prior to such relocation.

REFUND
This contract may be cancelled by Vendor by giving written notice to Arlene Brokaw subject to the following fees: On or before September 11, 2026 -- 100% of the full contracted space rental fee will be refunded less a $50 processing fee. September 12, 2026 or later -- no refunds. The fees apply in the event of Vendor cancellation or failure to participate for any reason whatsoever.

In the case that the Event is unable to operate, whether due to acts of God, war, illness, public safety, strike, civil commotion, picketing, fire, or state of emergency, or by reason of any other occurence not under the control of Management, or otherwise, Harbor Arts Administrators may cancel, postpone, or terminate the Event. In the case of such cancellation, postponement, or termination, vendor waives any and all claims Vendor may have against Harbor Arts for damages or expenses and agrees to accept in complete settlement and discharge of all claims, Vendor's pro rata share of the total amount paid by all vendors, excluding jury fees, less all costs and expenses incurred by Harbor Arts in connection with the Event.