OVERALL FESTIVAL PURPOSE & CRITERIA

KANSAS SAMPLER FESTIVAL PURPOSE & CRITERIA

The primary purpose of the Kansas Sampler Festival is to provide the public a sample of what there is to see, do, hear, taste, buy, and learn in the state. The festival is a project of the Kansas Sampler Foundation, a grassroots, non-profit organization located in Inman, Kansas. The mission of the foundation is to preserve and sustain rural culture.

Only vendors living and doing business in Kansas may participate in the festival.

The reason for rotating the festival is to give exhibitors statewide exposure, to give the public in every part of the state a chance to experience the festival, and to give each host city a chance to showcase themselves to a statewide audience.

EXHIBITOR CRITERIA

NOTE: The criteria statements explain what is allowable and what is not. We apologize for the heavy tone of what is not eligible. However, it is clear that the festival is much more effective and more enjoyable for all if everyone follows the criteria. This festival has a purpose that can more successfully be achieved with everyone following the rules. Remember, there is much space allowed for creativity within the rules!

No booth refunds will be given in the event of inclement weather and refunds for booth cancellations will only be given through March 31, 2010.


TRAVEL and TOURISM EXHIBITORS

Those eligible for this tent are local attractions that also include
locally-owned cafes and bed-and-breakfasts. These displays must be about a place that tells the story of the rural culture of a place: architecture, art, commerce, cuisine, customs, geography, history, and people. Locally-owned stores may be included in a community display to show what kind of shopping opportunities are offered in a town.

NOT ELIGIBLE:

1. Service companies like insurance companies and health distributors

2. Schools, churches, government and military unless some historical aspect of a building is being promoted (in that case no religious or enrollment information may be distributed).

3. Home based businesses.

4. Social organizations like Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, etc. HOWEVER these groups are encouraged to be a sponsor, volunteer or have a food booth to raise funds for their group. No organizational materials may be distributed.

5. National franchise attractions, including lodging or restaurants.

6. Political booths are also not allowed. 

Exhibitors in the travel tents should have creative informational displays that enthusiastically tell the story of their Kansas community attractions in a manner that will encourage the public to visit.

Sale items are discouraged though one item at a time can be put out, per approval of host (additional fee for this).

All products sold in this tent must be made and produced in Kansas by the exhibitor or have some close association to the exhibitor. The product should be unique to the individual or business and not be a replication of a franchise item. Also, the product should also be for sale in a retail store. The producer should encourage travel to this store, as well. Packaged food products are especially encouraged. Demonstrations and telling the story of your business is encouraged. There will be a limited amount of space so exhibitors in this tent will be juried. Also, designated observers will be examining exhibit booths during the festival to make sure the products displayed meet the criteria. If they don't, the observer may ask the vendor to remove the product or entire display (no refund). Exhibitors are responsible for paying sales tax.

* Items made just for arts-and-craft shows are not eligible.

PRODUCTS SOLD IN GROUP TENTS - JURIED

FOOD CONCESSIONS - JURIED

Food concessions should feature Kansas ethnic or specialty foods. When possible, food products, bottled water, and even condiments should be purchased from local Kansas producers-or, at least, from locally-owned stores. For instance, the meat for steak sandwiches or brats should come from Kansas lockers; cookies served should be homemade or made in a Kansas bakery; popcorn should be Kansas-grown popcorn, etc. Promoting the source of foods is appreciated. If a restaurant is a vendor they are encouraged to promote their restaurant location and hours.

No hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes or other carnival type foods are all allowed without host approval.

Every item sold in a concession must be approved by the festival committee. Festival observers will be checking vendor foods at the festival. Vendors may be asked to remove an item if it wasn't approved. Food vendors are responsible for following health and safety regulations and for submitting sales tax.

ENTERTAINMENT AND HISTORIC PERFORMER CRITERIA-JURIED

Entertainers or historic performers must be presently living in Kansas.

The festival seeks diverse performers (vocal, instrumental, dance, poetry,
magicians, storytelling, reenacting, etc.), especially those that promote an ethnic culture, a historical time period or person, or represent a slice of Kansas life. The festival seeks to support entertainers and historic performers and gives priority approval to those looking for regional or statewide bookings. In exchange for performance, the festival offers promotional booth space for the entire festival. The festival encourages performers to sell tapes or books and to distribute schedules of events or promotional information.

FREE STANDING EXHIBIT CRITERIA - JURIED

Free-standing exhibits must tell the story of one of the rural culture elements: architecture, art, commerce, cuisine, customs, geography, history, or people. Only exhibits that cannot fit in an exhibit tent will be considered for free standing status. A Plains Indian teepee, Kansas stone carvers and blacksmiths, antique cars, and an antique fire truck are examples of free-standing exhibits. The free-standing exhibits must be set up and staffed for the entire festival schedule with an exception only for weather or host approval. All free-standing exhibits must register.

GROUP TENTS

Pre-formed groups (tourism regions, alliances) may request Group Tent status. All criteria described above must be followed. However, a Group
Tent may design their own layout, may mix and match Kansas travel and
tourism booths with Kansas product booths, and may also have entertainers in the tent. Group tents may choose a theme. Everyone in this tent must fill out a form entitled:

1) Group Tent Travel and Tourism Exhibitor or 2) Group Tent Kansas Products Exhibitor.

REGULAR TENTS

The regular, or non-group, tents are for travel and tourism exhibitors not involved in a Group Tent. Typically the festival host assigns booths geographically with a tent lay-out of two side rows and a middle row.

EXHIBITORS ON THE EDGE

If you aren't sure if your attraction, product, performing group, free-standing exhibit, or food concession meets the standard of the Kansas Sampler Festival please contact the local host or the Kansas Sampler Foundation at 620.585.2374, wendee@kansassampler.org or marci@kansassampler.org.