Blackstone
Chamber of  Commerce
Directions

P.O. Box 295
Blackstone, VA 23824

434-292-1677 chamber@blackstoneva.com

Find a Blackstone Chamber Member

 

If you are a vendor interested in participating in this great event, space rental information and an application are available online.

 

Vendor Info Letter
(PDF 65kb)

Vendor Application
(PDF 62kb)

Vendor Jury Form
(PDF 31kb)


 

 

39th Annual Blackstone
Arts & Crafts Festival

 Dates: September 13-14, 2008
Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Admission: One Day -$3 or Weekend Pass -$5
Free Parking
Children Under 12 Free

Sponsored by the Blackstone Chamber of Commerce, the Blackstone Arts & Crafts Festival attracts some of the best artists on the east coast with a wide variety of hand crafted products. There is something for everyone at this festival.

History: In 1969, the late Ed Silverman started the Arts and Crafts Festival as a way to create some activity here during the dull, hot summer. Crafts were displayed in merchants’ store windows. The festival has grown into an attraction for people from distant states. The festival now fills the Blackstone Memorial Center, the adjacent Harris Memorial Armory and all surrounding streets. Today, over 35 years after Ed Silverman’s dream, artists from up and down the east coast compete for limited spaces. Artists and craftsmen must send in photos of their displays and only 125 of the best are chosen to participate.

Live Entertainment from Local Musicians & Talent Featured
Other Attractions

  • Antique Tractor and Engine Display
  • Craft Demonstrations
  • Kiddie Korner
  • Face Painting
  • Trained Dogs Show
  • Soap Box Derby sponsored by the Blackstone Police Department

We anticipate approximately 7500 visitors this weekend. The craft show is a juried show. Jurying is accomplished through the submission of the application and jury form along with 5 photographs of your craft, and 1 photograph of your display. The jury will place a strong emphasis on quality, workmanship, and uniqueness. Please do not submit manufactured, assembly line or kit products for jurying. The jury reserves the right to rule on workmanship and to accept ecrafts that they feel will best fit into the festival.

Vendor Information

Inside booths will be located in the Blackstone Memorial Center and the old National Guard Armory (this is subject to change). Outside booths will be located on High Street and Tavern Street. Security is provided indoors and outdoors, Friday and Saturday night. An informal exhibitor reception is hosted Friday evening. Upon application to this show, the applicant agrees to the following: The Town of Blackstone, the Blackstone Chamber of Commerce, and all sponsors will not be held responsible for any liability of personal property or personal injury of the participants of this function. The Town of Blackstone, the Blackstone Chamber of Commerce, and all sponsors shall be held harmless from all liability and responsibility for fire, theft, and vandalism to the participants’ property at this function. (We suggest that valuable items be removed each night.) The exhibitor is responsible for collecting and paying Virginia Sales Tax.

Entries
The Blackstone Arts and Crafts Festival is a juried show and is open to artists and craft persons under the following conditions:

  • Review the Letter to Applicants as well as the application.
  • All crafts and works must be handmade.
  • Absolutely no buy and sell items are allowed.
  • Applications must be received no later than August 15 of the year in which the show occurs.
  • No refunds will be made after July 31 of the year in which the show applied for occurs.
  • Exhibitors must exhibit during all hours on both days of the show except by special permission of the show committee or in case of rain
  • There is no rain date and no refunds will be made in case of rain.
  • No cars, trucks, vans, trailers, or any other vehicle may be parked within the exhibit areas.
  • All media are used to promote the event. In addition to radio, newspaper, television, and the internet, we distribute posters and flyers. Large banners announcing the show are strategically placed for optimal exposure.