Vendors say this is their favorite event of the season. Find out why!

With thousands of festival-goers each year, the Wooden Boat Festival is the perfect place to exhibit your wares and reach the maritime audience you've been looking for. Whether you're trying to broaden the reach of your nonprofit or market your cool new product, we hope you'll apply. 

Applications closed for 2023

Additional Options for Vendors

We're excited to introduce a optional vendor experience. Vendors can rent space inside one of our two new areas: the Innovation Marketplace and the Woodworking Tent. Being inside these large tents creates a dynamic, weatherproof experience for you and your guests. Each vendor is allowed 8x8 feet of space with 1 table and 2 chairs. You can rent 2 spaces, or if you want your own tent, you can do that too.

Innovation Marketplace

Located adjacent to the brand new green boating stage, the Innovation Marketplace is perfect for innovative and green boating product sales—everything from electric motors to eco paints.

Woodworking Tent

Located adjacent to the Woodworking Stage, this area is perfect for woodworkers and budding artists wanting to showcase their work to the Festival audiences. Perfect for authors and tool makers, too! Artisans are encouraged to apply. There is special pricing and scholarships available for student artisans, these requests can be made while filling out the application.

Please note: the application for the Innovation Marketplace and Woodworking Tent is separate from the standard vendor application.

2023 Applications open in april

Key Info

To be accepted, products must fit a nautical, wooden boat and maritime audience.

Festival Hours are Friday and Saturday from 9 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday from 9 AM to 4 PM. You agree to stay open until 4 PM Sunday. You will not be invited back if you leave early.

Move-in is the Thursday of Festival after 12:00 PM. We have very little time to set up the Festival. Please be aware your tent may not be set up if you arrive early; please be patient.

Your lanyard and passes (including one parking pass) may be picked up at Festival HQ anytime after Thursday. HQ is located at the exhibitor entrance to the Festival (at the corner of Jefferson Street and Jackson Street).

You are assigned space according to what you purchased. Extra space is available to purchase in front of your space or tent. See pricing below.

The layout of the Festival is a moving puzzle. If you have been coming for years, it’s likely you will have the same spot; however, there are many logistics and factors in play, and sometimes we have to move things around to fit everyone in. Preference is given to sponsors.

You will be notified of your location in mid August, along with directions, maps, and final notices for the 2023 Festival.

Wooden Boat Festival is going green!

Help us keep our waters pristine and minimize our impact on the environment!
We are expanding our eco-friendly initiatives, in addition to our successful recycling program and ZERO single-use plastic bottle policy. We are proud to set the bar high—because we have high standards, and we know you do too. Please don't be the one that undermines our efforts by not putting your trash or recycling where it goes.

Requirements

All Vendors

  • Trash container
  • Your own 100-foot extension cord if power is required. Please label both ends of cord with your business name. No vendor may run extension cords over 100 feet. No cords will be provided by WBF.
  • Your own fire extinguisher

Commercial vendors
If you are a business, and selling items at festival

  • Business insurance
  • Washington State & Port Townsend business license. Out-of-state vendors can get a temporary license here.

The city of Port Townsend will be inspecting all vendors.

Cleanup

You are responsible for leaving your area totally clean. Please pick up everything that came with you, including the zip ties that held the display together, and by-products from your display: metal shavings, wood chips, etc.

If you leave your area for Festival staff to clean up, you will not be invited back.

Dumpsters for trash and recycling are in the “Back 40.” You will receive a map via email closer to the Festival with all services.

Not Allowed

No exhibitor may sell logo t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, or posters on site.

No bottled water sales or other single-use plastic drink sales allowed on the Festival grounds.

Dogs are not allowed on the Festival grounds.

Vendor Rates

Rent a Tent From Us

Tents come with one table and two chairs—you can order more when applying.

Commercial Rates
10 x 10 = $700 (incl. 3 passes)
10 x 20 = $1400 (incl. 4 passes)
20 x 20 = $2800 (incl. 8 passes)

Nonprofit Rates
(For verified nonprofits)
10 x 10 = $500 (incl. 3 passes)
10 x 20 = $1000 (incl. 4 passes)
20 x 20 = $2000 (incl. 8 passes)

Bring Your Own Tent

(Pay for open space)

Commercial Rates
10 x 10 = $500 (incl. 3 passes)
10 x 20 = $1000 (incl. 4 passes)
20 x 20 = $2000 (incl. 8 passes)

Non-profit Rates
(For verified non-profits)
10 x 10 = $400 (incl. 3 passes)
10 x 20 = $700 (incl. 4 passes)
20 x 20 = $1400 (incl. 8 passes)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the application process work?

Step 1: Complete the application process including waivers.

Step 2:We will email or call you to discuss our recycling program.

Step 3: Within a few days, you will hear via email if we can accept you.

Step 4: Within a week after acceptance, you will receive an invoice via email from our finance department with options and instructions on how to pay.

Step 5: After submitting payment, you will receive an email confirmation of your payment.

What are the benefits of renting a tent from you?

• They have 4 sides so you can completely close up at night.
• They are very heavy-duty, staked or weighted, and unlikely to blow away.
• They are very secure.

What are the benefits of bringing my own tent?

• Less expensive
• Can set up at your convenience
• Please note: You are required to have approved tent weights according to city of Port Townsend

Can I purchase extra space?

Extra space is available during the application process. You pay for the space you sign up for. If you would like some sprawl space, that is possible and recommended!

How do you choose who is accepted?

The Festival Committee will review applications and generally let you know within a week if you have been accepted. Applications are accepted according to the following parameters: relevance of business, service to boating/festival community, and previous experience (if any) at Festival.

How do you decide who exhibits where?

Placement in Festival is according to years in Festival, electric and other needs, fit and relevance to other vendors, sponsorship level, and application date.

We try our best to accommodate everyone’s needs and wishes in booth placement. Every location has its benefits and limitations.

I'm from out of state. How do I get a temporary business license?

Please visit this website for information on how to get a temporary business license for Washington State.

How do I increase traffic to my booth?

• Have an eye-catching banner raised up above the main entrance to your tent.
• Have fun!
• Have interactive activities.
• Be engaging! Reach out to the public.
• Advertise in the program!
• Drive people to your booth with something enticing: a contest, a drawing, or a giveaway.

Do you have security?

We have security that patrol throughout the night. You are responsible for the safe-keeping of your merchandise and equipment.

Can I access my space by car?

Most locations are not accessible by car during the Festival. If you require a location that you can drive close to, let us know ahead of time and we will try to place you accordingly. Please note that this festival is at a marina, and all the roads are closed down during the event. Please plan accordingly.
Applications closed for 2023

Keep Our Sea Plastic Free! We’re stepping up our environmental sustainability efforts for the future of our oceans and the wildlife that depends on them. Click here to learn how you can help.