Fairs/Festivals
Sponge Docks April Craft Art Festival April 2027
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist & Non-Artist Vendor
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 1
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 4, Max: 4
- Total | Max: 4
Opportunity Summary
Showcase and sell your work at one of Florida’s most iconic waterfront destinations. Presented by the Tarpon Springs Merchant’s Association and produced by SIK Promotions, Inc., the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Craft Festival is a high-traffic showcase dedicated to original, handmade art, fine craft, and artisan goods.
Exhibiting along Dodecanese Boulevard puts your work directly in front of thousands of art lovers, collectors, and seasonal visitors looking for unique, handcrafted pieces.
Why Exhibit With Us?
Free admission • Pet & family friendly
Exhibiting along Dodecanese Boulevard puts your work directly in front of thousands of art lovers, collectors, and seasonal visitors looking for unique, handcrafted pieces.
Why Exhibit With Us?
- Proven Foot Traffic: Tap into tens of thousands of shoppers exploring the historic Sponge Docks.
- Curated Standards: Spaces are balanced and capped by category to prevent oversaturation.
- Professional Support: Seamless on-site logistics, dedicated staff, and robust event promotion.
- Economic Boost: Connect with motivated buyers seeking fine art and distinctive gifts.
- Social Spotlights: Featured posts direct engaged followers straight to your booth and website.
- Press & Broadcast: Pitches to regional print, lifestyle magazines, arts calendars, and morning news shows for live on-site interviews and demonstrations.
- Live Coverage: Event-weekend social stories and artist Q&As to drive same-day sales.
Free admission • Pet & family friendly
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General Information
All work displayed must be designed and executed by the accepted artist.
Waitlist Policy & Category Balancing
To maintain a competitive, diverse marketplace without oversaturating any single category:
- Ceramics & Pottery: Functional tableware and decorative sculptural works.
- Original 2D & 3D Art: Oil, acrylic, watercolor, fine art photography, and sculpture.
- Fiber & Textiles: Wearable fiber, woven goods, leatherwork, and decorative tapestry.
- Glass: Blown, fused, stained, or cast glass art.
- Wood: Turned bowls, fine furniture, carving, and functional handcrafted woodwork.
- Mixed Media: Combined media integrating distinct creative techniques (2D and 3D).
- Jewelry & Fine Accessories: Handcrafted precious and non-precious jewelry. (Capped category to prevent market saturation).
| Detail | Specification |
| Show Hours | Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Setup & Load-In | Saturday morning beginning promptly at 7:00 AM. Detailed access instructions and staging zones are provided prior to show weekend. |
| Breakdown & Load-Out | Load-Out Sunday beginning at 5:30 PM. Early breakdown is prohibited to ensure patron safety and event integrity. |
| Overnight Security | Dedicated professional security is on-site throughout Saturday night for all two-day weekend engagements. |
| Dining & Amenities | Walking-distance access to celebrated local restaurants and waterfront cafes serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner directly adjacent to the show footprint. |
To maintain a competitive, diverse marketplace without oversaturating any single category:
- Category-Ranked Waitlist: Once an individual medium reaches capacity, subsequent qualifying applicants are placed on an active waitlist within their specific medium.
- Notification Protocol: If a cancellation occurs, the next waitlisted artisan in that category will be contacted via email.
- 24-Hour Acceptance Window: Due to tight production schedules, contacted artists have 24 hours to confirm acceptance and finalize booth payment. If unanswered within 24 hours, the spot is offered to the next artist in line.
Application Requirements
Review the Terms and Conditions Here
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
80
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
60
Booth Information
Applicant Info: Products made by you! Applications must include three hi-res (3) photos of work and one (1) photo of outdoor booth set up. Optional 30-second video may be uploaded for media B-roll. Applying for an event does not guarantee acceptance. Confirmation or rejection of acceptance will be sent via e-mail and will not be given over the phone without prior written confirmation.
Space Sizes:
Artist/Crafter: $350 (Items must be handmade by the participant)
Local St. Pete Charities/Non-Profits: $350 with proof of 501c3
Fair Trade/Import: $500 - BY INVITATION ONLY – Please provide a description of the process and techniques the producers use to create their products, and how the resulting income and fair trade practices support and benefit their local communities.
Commercial/Corporate: $1500 - BY INVITATION ONLY – LIMIT 4. Please describe the services you wish to provide.
Resale/Retail: NOT ACCEPTED
Space Sizes:
- Exhibitor Spaces are 10’x10’ – You must plan for your display to fit within your purchased/assigned space with your storage hidden from public view.
- FOOD VENDOR spaces are sold by linear foot. Enter the total footprint you'll need (from tongue to bumper) when opened and fully operational, then recalculate to determine your fee.
Artist/Crafter: $350 (Items must be handmade by the participant)
Local St. Pete Charities/Non-Profits: $350 with proof of 501c3
Fair Trade/Import: $500 - BY INVITATION ONLY – Please provide a description of the process and techniques the producers use to create their products, and how the resulting income and fair trade practices support and benefit their local communities.
Commercial/Corporate: $1500 - BY INVITATION ONLY – LIMIT 4. Please describe the services you wish to provide.
Resale/Retail: NOT ACCEPTED
- Space assignments, including load in detail, will be sent via e-mail, the week of the event.
- Load in: Saturday, 7:00 am Load out: Sunday, 5:30 pm
- Overnight Security Provided
Refund Policy
Exhibitor Cancellation Policy
There is a $50.00 cancellation fee for every canceled booking. *All cancellations must be made in writing via email.
30 days or more: If you cancel 30 days or more from the event set up date you will be offered 2 options:
8 - 29 Days: If you cancel 8-29 days from the event set up date, no refunds will be offered. Show credit may be available for a future SIK Promotions, Inc. event and must be redeemed within one calendar year from the date of your original application.
7 Days or less: If you cancel 7 days or less from the event set up date, no refunds or credits will be available.
Redeeming show credit: You must apply to a future SIK Promotions, Inc. show available within one calendar year from the date of your original cancellation. Enter your show credit details in the “Notes Here” section and submit your application. Once a credit is applied to the event it is considered redeemed in full and is non-transferable. You will be notified via email if there is a balance due.
If you book and cancel twice within a calendar year, your fees will be non-refundable, and no credit will be offered for any future events.
Vendor Insurance: Vendors are encouraged to purchase event cancellation insurance to protect their investment in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Event Cancellation Policy
Please note we will not cancel a show for inclement weather unless informed by state, city or local officials that it will be in the best interest of safety for all.
If an event is canceled by state, city or local officials for any reason, exhibitors will be notified via email and offered show credit towards a future SIK Promotions, Inc. event.
All events are rain or shine. No credits or refunds will be issued if the show is affected by forces of nature beyond our control during the event taking place.
There is a $50.00 cancellation fee for every canceled booking. *All cancellations must be made in writing via email.
30 days or more: If you cancel 30 days or more from the event set up date you will be offered 2 options:
- Booth fee refund excluding the 8% processing fees PLUS a $50 administrative fee. Application fees are non-refundable.
- Show credit may be offered for a future SIK Promotions, Inc. event and must be redeemed within one calendar year from the date of your cancellation.
8 - 29 Days: If you cancel 8-29 days from the event set up date, no refunds will be offered. Show credit may be available for a future SIK Promotions, Inc. event and must be redeemed within one calendar year from the date of your original application.
7 Days or less: If you cancel 7 days or less from the event set up date, no refunds or credits will be available.
Redeeming show credit: You must apply to a future SIK Promotions, Inc. show available within one calendar year from the date of your original cancellation. Enter your show credit details in the “Notes Here” section and submit your application. Once a credit is applied to the event it is considered redeemed in full and is non-transferable. You will be notified via email if there is a balance due.
If you book and cancel twice within a calendar year, your fees will be non-refundable, and no credit will be offered for any future events.
Vendor Insurance: Vendors are encouraged to purchase event cancellation insurance to protect their investment in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Event Cancellation Policy
Please note we will not cancel a show for inclement weather unless informed by state, city or local officials that it will be in the best interest of safety for all.
If an event is canceled by state, city or local officials for any reason, exhibitors will be notified via email and offered show credit towards a future SIK Promotions, Inc. event.
All events are rain or shine. No credits or refunds will be issued if the show is affected by forces of nature beyond our control during the event taking place.
Additional Fees
Services 10 foot Booth: $1,500
Art/Craft 10 foot Booth: $375
Electricity: $100
20 foot DEEP booth Add On: $200