Letter to the Crafters

 

Harvard Lions Club

Harvard, Massachusetts 01451  

 

Dear Crafter,

 

The Harvard Lions Club’s 6th annual Holiday Craft Fair will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 4 – 5, 2003 from 10 a.m. to 4p.m.  This outdoor fair will be located at Sunnywood Acres, a 50 + acre estate, ideally situated on a main road off of Route 2 in the beautiful town of Harvard, MA.  The Harvard setting offers a story book autumn experience.  Visitors flock to the area for attractions such as the Fruitlands Museum, spectacular scenic views, and orchards featuring apple picking and freshly made cider.

The Harvard Lions Club is a nonprofit, philanthropic organization dedicated to the elimination of blindness and Diabetes through research.  The Holiday Craft Fair is our largest annual fundraising event.  Monies raised in the past were donated to agencies such as the Clara Barton Camp for Diabetic Young Women, Massachusetts Lions Eye Research, Lions International Sight First Foundation, and local sight and Diabetes organizations.

We continue our dedication to increasing both Crafter and patron participation.  Any Crafter who recruits another Crafter who has not attended our Holiday Craft Fair will receive a $5 finder’s fee.  To be eligible for the finder’s fee, please annotate your recruited Crafter on your craft fair application.  If your recruited Crafter applies and is accepted for attendance, the finder’s fee will be awarded at the conclusion of the Fair.

The following guidelines are provided to further inform you about the Harvard Lion’s Club Holiday Craft Fair:

v     Over 150 crafter spaces will be available for a non-refundable fee of $75.  This fee will afford you an 11’ X 11’ space on both Saturday and Sunday.

v     Since the Harvard Lions Club is committed to hosting the fair, rain or shine, fees will only be refunded in the event the fair is cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control.

v     All items must be handcrafted; kit or machines made items are not permitted.

v     Once approved for attendance at the Holiday Craft Fair, Crafters may not sell their spaces to another Crafter.

v     Massachusetts State Law requires crafters to possess a tax identification number and to collect 5% state tax on all items sold.

v     Electricity is not provided.

v     Crafters are responsible for providing their own booth, i.e. tables, chairs, tent and any items you may need to furnish repair to your booth.

v     The fair is open to the public from 10:00 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

v     Booths must be set up and remain in operation during these hours.

v     Crafters must attend both days.

v     Booths may be set up between 3 – 6 p.m. on Friday and 7 - 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. 

v     If you do not show up for the fair on Saturday your booth may be given away to another Crafter.

v     Crafters will be allowed to drive their vehicles to their booth for unloading purposes only.  Vehicles need to be out of the booth area no later than 9:30 a.m.  No vehicles will be permitted access into the ring after 9:00 a.m. Please be prepared to unload and repack on your own.  A limited number of Lions Club members may be available to assist.

v     Security will be provided on Friday and Saturday evenings.  However, the Lions Club assumes no responsibility for the loss or theft of crafts.

v     Animals are not allowed on the grounds.  Please do not leave animals in your vehicle at the fair

v     Parking for both crafters and patrons will be on the estate to allow for easy access to booths.  Handicapped parking will be available for crafters and patrons.

v     RV spaces are available, free of charge, should you want to stay over night on the fair grounds.  RVs must be self-contained.

v     The Harvard Lions Grill will be open before and during the fair providing breakfast and lunch at reasonable prices.

v     We will provide excellent publicity and intend to be a well organized, crafter-friendly fair!  Some examples of intended publicity are as follows: The Boston Globe, local television, radio, and newspapers, craft fair and trade publications, street banners, Lions Club publications, local area attractions and fruit farms.

v     If your product can be viewed on a web site, please provide this information on your application.  We will insert links on the Harvard Lions Club web site so potential patrons are able to preview the fair.

v     Applications must be received no later than September 26th, 2003.  Any applications received after this date will not be accepted!

  To reserve your space for the 6th Annual Harvard Lions Club Holiday Craft Fair, please complete the enclosed application.  Make your $75 check payable to “Harvard Lions Club”.  You will receive a response from us shortly after we receive and review your application. Registration information and directions to the fair will also be forwarded upon acceptance.  Please send your application, check and stamped, self-addressed envelope to:

Harvard Lions Club

P.O. Box 268

Harvard, MA  01451

You may also leave a message at 978-456-9673 or 978-456-6835 should you have any further questions.

  Sincerely,

The Holiday Craft Fair Committee