Overland Park Fall Festival 2026

THE 2026 OVERLAND PARK FALL FESTIVAL 
Mission: To create a fun, highly anticipated community tradition that promotes the City of Overland Park (or the “City”), the historic Downtown Overland Park district, its business community and city amenities therein.

The Overland Park Fall Festival is a highly anticipated city tradition that draws tens of thousands to our historic district where great food, lots of music and amazing artists line our streets! 

We are seeking artisans who work in a wide variety of media, employ interesting techniques, create unique products or products that revive a lost art form as well as commonplace items that have been crafted to beautiful purpose. Applications will be reviewed after July 4th.

DATES: Last weekend in September!

Friday, September 25, Starting 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday, September 26, Starting 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LOCATION: Historic Downtown Overland Park

https://www.opkansas.gov/

General Information

Overall Requirements: The City of Overland Park accepts only artisans creating handmade products. Artisans must be present at the Event. The City has exclusive purview over which artisans are allowed to participate in the event and selections are based on the needs of the event. All art must meet selection criteria.

Categories of Art: The art categories list for art and craft items include but are not limited to: bath products, ceramics, clothing, decoratives, encaustics, fashion accessories, florals, fiber art, furniture, garden art, glass, jewelry, leather goods, metal work, millinery, paintings in all media, paper goods, pet products, purses or totes, quilting, scented products, seasonal decorations, sewnworks, textiles, toys and wood work. The Event maintains a category designated as OTHER. Artisans who do not see their category listed, may select OTHER but must clearly describe their offerings. To foster artistic diversity, there will be a limited number of booths in popular or particular categories.

Unacceptable Categories: include but are not limited to any product that can reasonably be considered not in the best interest of the festival as determined by the City. Disallowed items are:

1. Mass produced, commercially manufactured and / or kit products
2. Products with minimal embellishment
3. Products not manufactured by the applying artisan
4. Products that are commercially available
5. Products that represent the copyrighted intellectual property of another individual, corporation or entity.
6. Products not submitted in the product line description of the artisan’s application.
7. Prepackaged, non-concession food items

Application Process:  Applications must be completed as fully as possible and are reviewed weekly. Accepted applications are flagged INVITED. It is the artists’ responsibility to check their status through Zapplication. We routinely send reminder notices to all  INVITED artists to inform them that purchase of space is needed to confirm presence at the show. Space at the festival is limited, an accepted application does not guarantee space. Artists must purchase their space to be CONFIRMED as a show artist. Artists who are INVITED but not CONFIRMED at the time of space sell out will automatically be moved to WAIT LIST status.

In the month of August, Confirmed artisans will receive a VENDOR INFORMATION PACKET of detailed Event participation information which includes rules for participation, maps, location of space, schedules of activities, sales tax documents, parking, loading instructions and much more.

Selection Criteria - Applications: Artisans’ work will be reviewed against the following criteria during the application process and again at the Festival itself. Itemized selection criteria are:

1. Artisan's inventory must be handmade.
2. Technical execution of the work itself
3. Uniqueness of product
4. Price range, the Event seeks a wide price range but prefers prices not exceed $5,000.
5. Appropriateness for a family focused event
6. Our wish to present a balanced show will cause limitations in some popular categories
7. Use of a vanishing technique / art form is desired but not a required selection criteria item.
8. Overall aesthetics of the booth. Artisans are expected to present a beautiful space that is inviting and accessible which presents their wares in attractive, easy to view displays. On site inspections will look for a similar presentation at the event itself.

Refunds: No refunds will be made for cancellations after August 15 of the event year. Refunds do not include administration fee. The City reserves the right to extend the refund deadline or provide a refund based on emergency circumstances. Refunds must be requested in writing.

Security: The Overland Park Police Department provides security the night before the Festival, however, neither the City nor its agents are liable for loss or damage to vendor property.  Vendor assumes all risk and responsibility for their property.

Set Up Times: Set up for the Event will occur between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the designated Friday and 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Saturday.  Vendors will load in a scheduled and managed manner as outlined in Vendor communications. This will involve timed arrivals and traffic management. Cooperation is crucial to ensuring safety. Vendors who can not load in during the scheduled time may move in after hours but will not be able to bring their vehicle into the event space to do so. Vendors who set up in space assigned to another will have to move regardless of how much work this entails.

Taxes: All vendors are responsible for collection of sales tax on items sold at their space. If artisans have a tax question they are referred to the  Kansas Department of Revenue (“KDR”).  The City informs the KDR of all festival participants. 

Tear Down Times: Tear Down for the Event will occur between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Streets need to be reopened after this Event by 8 p.m. on Saturday. Vendors may move to the side parking spaces to continue to pack but the roads need to be cleared for vehicle movement by 8 p.m.  Event management will provide a managed manner of load out as consistent with load in. Vendors must move their car out of the lane of traffic to a side parking space and move their inventory and tent out of the street before commencing packing. Vendors may stay longer to load vehicles but the streets will reopen no later than 8 p.m.

Rules and Regulations

Artisans applying for and accepting placement at the festival agree to the following rules, regulations, terms and conditions.

1.  Each artisan is required to be a minimum of 18 years of age.
   1. The application is a legal agreement between the City of Overland Park and the Artisan. 
   2. Multiple artists may not share an application.
2. Artisans agree to completely and truthfully complete the application.
3. The Festival accepts only 100% handmade products sold by the artisan. This means that:
   1. 100% of an artisan’s inventory is made by the artisan selling at the show.
      1. Pieces such as the stones in jewelry or the glass for stained glass windows are not included under this rule, however, all items they comprise will be evaluated by this rule.
      2. Products with minimal embellishment do not qualify.
      3. Mass produced, commercially manufactured and kit products are ineligible.
4. Artisans will not offer inventory not listed on the accepted application.
5. Artisans may not share spaces or trade spaces.
   1. At the City’s sole discretion this rule may be waived to address an exceptional situation or provide ADA accommodation.
6. Artisans are not allowed to sell anything but their own work.
7. Artisans must be present at the Event
   1. Emergency circumstances will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
8. Artisans will not post, or allow to be posted, any signs, cards or posters outside their assigned space unless specifically authorized by City staff.
9. Placements are not permanent. Layout and presentation of the Event are based on the needs of the event as defined by the City. Requests are accommodated to the best ability of Event management.
10. If an artisan has an ADA accommodation need, the application has a place to describe the accommodations required. Artisans in need of accommodation must complete this section of the application to ensure the event management is aware an accommodation is required.
    1. Accommodations can be adjusted at the event to provide for the artisan’s needs.
    2. The City does not require any explanation as to why an accommodation is necessary.
    3. Service animals are considered an ADA accommodation and are welcome. 
11. Artisans need to allow event representatives to inspect and evaluate space for the purpose of ensuring product quality, presentation, consistency with application noted inventory and adherence to the rules as cited.
12. It is preferred for artisans to leave their pets at home, however, leashed dogs are allowed at the Event.
    1. Service animals are considered an ADA accommodation and are welcome. 
    2. Pets are not allowed in the farmers' market area, no exceptions.
    3. If an artisan or artisan’s associate brings a pet, the artisan is completely responsible for the animal, this includes but is not limited to:
       1. Cleaning up after the animal
       2. Controlling their actions
       3. Addressing issues of misbehavior or harm
13. This Event expects that all artisans will respect intellectual property rights as defined by U.S.C. Title 17. This means that products identifiable as the intellectual property of another individual, corporation or entity will be deemed disallowed and the artisan will be asked to remove the item from public display and sales. Examples include: Cartoon characters, sports teams logos, celebrities and song lyrics.
14. All participants are responsible for their own sales taxes.
    1. If you require a Kansas Tax ID number or have a question, contact: KDR Field Services via www.ksrevenue.gov. 
    2. The event management will provide the KDR with a list of participating vendors.

Vendor Code of Conduct:

1. Vendors are expected to comply with reasonable direction from City staff regarding Event management and especially applies to emergency operations directions.
2. Vendors are expected to behave in a polite and professional manner at all times. 
3. Vendors are expected to be cooperative of event management requests.
4. Vendors are expected to manage their own space, staff, children and pets.
5. No vendor will harass, threaten or intimidate another vendor, another vendor’s staff, City staff, customers or any member of the public.
6. Vendors should not display messages of profanity, obscene images or words this includes but is not limited to worn clothing, art inventories, and posted signage.
7. Vendors are expected to comply with all applicable laws, ordinances and regulations adopted or established by federal, state, or local governmental agencies or bodies; and by all policies and procedures as provided by the City. Matters of law violations are the exclusive purview of the Overland Park Police Department and/or applicable law enforcement agencies.
8. Vendors will at all times conduct their activities with full regard to public safety, and will observe and abide by all applicable rules, regulations and requests by duly authorized governmental agencies responsible. Vendors agree not to bring to the Event any material, substances, equipment or objects which can endanger the life of, or cause bodily injury to, any person, or which constitute a hazard to property thereon. The City shall have the right to refuse to allow any such materials, substances, equipment or objects to be brought to the Event and the right to require the immediate removal of such items if found thereon. The City reserves the right to make any emergency operation direction at the Event as City staff may deem necessary at any time in the interest of public safety or successful Event operation. 
9. Violations of the Law: No activity in violation of federal, state or local laws shall be permitted at the Event, and it shall be the responsibility of the vendor to enforce this provision among its employees, agents and associated persons. No lewd or indecent actions, conduct, language, pictures or portrayals shall be included in the activities or services presented by the vendor and nothing shall be presented or used that is contrary to law or prohibited by ordinance of the City. Vendors agree to abide and be bound by the decision of the City should any questions arise under this section, which decision shall be made by City staff in its reasonable discretion.  Vendors under review for a violation of law will not be allowed to participate in the Festival until the matter is successfully resolved in the vendors favor. Resolutions that are not in the vendor's favor may result in a temporary or permanent ban from the festival at the City’s sole discretion.

Booth Fees

Fees: Fees for the Overland Park Fall Festival are set by the Director of Parks and Recreation as part of departmental pricing policy.  The City reserves the right to limit or not offer a particular space, to provide space at a discounted rate and/or to limit availability of space sizes based on the needs of the Festival. The non-refundable application fee is $10. PRICES WILL INCREASE IN 2027.

Refund Policy:

No refunds will be made for cancellations after August 15 of the event year. Refunds do not include administration fee. The City reserves the right to extend the refund deadline or provide a refund based on emergency circumstances. Refunds must be requested in writing.