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vendor logistics

Welcome!

 

We want to welcome you to Occoquan and provide a successful experience for you while you are here. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Events Office at events@occoquanva.gov or call Tammy Hassett, Events Director at (703) 491-1918.

→ load in & set up
→ load in Map
→ booth assignments
→ Marketing & social
→ during the event
→ load out
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load in & set up

booth assignments

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Booth assignments can be found HERE.

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Load In

Though no booth spaces are guaranteed from year to year, in most cases we are able to keep returning vendors in their same area even though the numbers may have changed.

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As a courtesy to your fellow vendors, please pull into town, off load at your space, then move your vehicle away from other vendor spaces. 

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Friday, June 5

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Our town does a thriving Friday night business. Arriving in town Friday evening to find a car parked in their booth space is a chance each vendor takes, but about half do each season. It is never acceptable for vendors to walk into businesses to request that a patron or business move a vehicle.

 

To avoid as much frustration as possible, the Town will implement a rolling load-in. Please check the schedule below for your load-in guidelines based on the street and number of your booth. See booth numbers.

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NOTE: Vendors may only load into EMPTY SPACES. If there is a vehicle parked in your tent space, you must wait for them to leave.

 

Load-in Schedule

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Starting at 5:30pm - Food Trucks Only

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  • Food Trucks may begin to load-in at 5:30pm. Food trucks are encouraged to load early due to tight spaces. Trucks must be parked by 8am prior to opening both show days.

 

  • Food Tents with grills in Food Court spaces on Mill must load in no later than 10:00pm on Friday evening.​

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  • Food trucks are asked to make special arrangements prior to arrival so that security can guide your entry into town. Trucks are assigned areas, not spaces, and will pull in to the cul de sac by River Mill Park on a first come basis. All food trucks must be parked prior to 8:00 a.m. both days.

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Starting at 9:00pm

 

  • Booths #56-208 on Mill Street may load into empty spaces after 9pm on Friday evening, or any time before 8am on Saturday morning.

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  • Booths #401-452 on Union Street: While Union Street is closed to new parking at 9pm, vendors in this area are encouraged to load-in Saturday morning if possible, or after 9pm on Friday night due to the congestion on this street.

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  • Booths #501-518 on Ellicott Street may load in to empty spaces after 9pm on Friday evening, or any time before 8am on Saturday morning.

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  • Booths #601-667 on Commerce Street may load into empty spaces after 9pm on Friday evening, or any time before 8am on Saturday morning.

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  • Booths #301-332 on Washington Street: While Washington Street is closed to new parking at 9pm, vendors in this area are encouraged to load-in Saturday morning if possible, or after 9pm on Friday night due to the congestion on this street.​

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Starting at 10:00pm

 

  • Booths #1-55 and #209-248 on Mill Street may load into empty spaces after 10pm on Friday evening, or any time before 8am on Saturday morning.​​

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Booths in Driving Areas

 

In the following areas, booths are set up in driving areas of the street - not in parking spaces:

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  • #168-208 on Mill Street

  • #317-332 on Washington Street

  • #401-417 on Union Street

  • #601-628 on Commerce Street

 

If setting up on Friday night, please note that streets are STILL OPEN during this time. Vendors must leave a route for traffic to pass through. Wherever possible, please pre-stage tents half on the sidewalk and half on the street.

 

Limited Lighting

 

Friday night arrivals should consider packing portable lighting as our town is mostly lit by dim gaslights.

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Saturday, June 6

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Vendors may set up as early as they like on Saturday morning, though no staff will be available for assistance until 6:00am. 

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Pull into town, off load at your space, then park your vehicle, either at satellite parking, or in an in-town parking space that has been previously secured.

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Please note that our roads will close to ALL TRAFFIC by order of Occoquan Police at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday morning. Vendors who arrive after that time will have to hand carry their materials into town from outside the event area​

Check In

 

​Vendors do not need to specifically check in, though we do try to greet you as you enter town. If you have questions or concerns, the director will regularly check email for messages from vendors. 

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Set Up Procedures

 

All spaces are 10X10 and marked on the curb; tents must be placed within the RED dots located on the curb or will be MOVED to accommodate neighboring tents.

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  • Due to the historic nature of our town, sections of our streets are on slopes and leveling tools will be necessary for some booth spaces:

    • Washington Street, spaces #310-324

    • Union Street, spaces #409-443

    • Ellicott Street, spaces #509-518

  • All boxes, tents, and merchandise must be within the designated 10X10 space.

  • Vendors are responsible for their own shade, rain gear, chairs, set-up, tent weights, and any other items needed as part of an outdoor event. All tents must be weighted.

  • No power is provided to vendors.

  • Unload as quickly as possible, then park your vehicle, either at satellite parking, or in an in-town parking space that has been previously secured, and then proceed with setting up your booth. 

  • All personal vehicles need to be moved to satellite parking lots or pre-paid in-town parking spaces no later than 8:30am both days of the show.  No parking is permitted on Town streets, alleys, and driveways during the craft show.

  • No loud generators will be allowed to run outside the food court during the course of the show.

  • Tents and tables must be staffed for both days of the event.

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Satellite Parking

 

Vendors may freely park at any of our designated lots and will be transported by shuttle into town. The shuttle will begin at 7:00am and will end approximately 1 hour after the show ends.  


Purple Lot - Lake Ridge

Lake Ridge Commuter Lot - corner of Old Bridge and Minnieville Roads, Woodbridge, VA. Drop off/Pick Up located at the Shuttle Stop at the corner of Washington and Commerce Streets.

 

Green Lot - Woodbridge

Rt 123 Commuter Lot - corner of Route 123 and Old Bridge Road, Woodbridge, VA. Drop off/Pick Up at Footbridge Shuttle Stop by River Mill Park.

 

Yellow Lot - Lorton

Workhouse Arts Center - 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA. Drop off/Pick Up at the Shuttle Stop under the Route 123 Bridge.

permit Parking in town

 

Limited vendor spaces are available for PURCHASE AHEAD OF THE FESTIVAL. All parking fees are non-refundable.

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  • LOT B: Small lot at the corner of Mill St & Poplar Alley (formerly Lot A).

  • LOT C: Small lot at the corner of Commerce St & Ellicott St (formerly Lot B).

  • LOT D: Street parking on Ellicott St (formerly Lot C).

  • LOT F: Street parking on Commerce St (formerly Lot D).

 

If you indicated an interest on your application for in-town parking but did not make a payment for one, please do not expect parking upon arrival.​ Anyone who parks in these designated spots without a permit will be towed at owners expense.

 

Cars in LOTS B & C are inside the festival footprint and therefore must arrive early and may not leave until the festival concludes:

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  • ENTER: All vehicles MUST enter the lot by 7:45am.

  • EXIT: All vehicles MUST remain in the lot until police release vehicles, typically around 6:00pm.

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There is no additional vendor parking in ANY public/private lots or street spaces within the historic district of Occoquan, other than permitted parking listed above.​

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LOT A (under the Rt 123 Bridge) is for Town Businesses & Residents ONLY, including all accessible spaces. NO VENDORS MAY PARK HERE FOR ANY REASON!

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Security

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The Town will provide overnight security to patrol the streets. You do not have to clear your site Saturday evening, but the Town is not responsible for securing individual tents or properties.

 

A First Aid Station will be located on the corner of Ellicott & Commerce Streets during the festival. In case of emergency, please call 9-1-1. 

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Find more public safety information here.

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No Municipal Wi-Fi

 

The Town of Occoquan does not have a municipal wi-fi. Over the years, a few vendors have reported having issues processing sales through cell service while in town (Verizon service in particular). We recommend having a backup approach, such as a mobile hotspot, processing credit cards offline, or keeping a cash drawer. There are two ATMs in town as well, should your customers need one: Madigan’s Waterfront Restaurant and the VFW.

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Marketing & Social

spread the word

Help us let people know about the show!

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  • Add a post, story, reel or sticker to your social media

  • Reach out to your local customers to offer incentives

  • Post on social media before and during the show

  • Email your customers and use photos of your business along with our show graphics. 

 

tag us

Be sure to tag us (and follow us!) on social media @visitoccoquan on Instagram & Facebook. We love to share your posts and gain more attention for the event. This is an excellent tool to get the word out and connect users about the market and your business!

show graphics

You are welcome to use our official graphics on your social media, in email marketing, and in other print marketing (flyers, mailers, etc).

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By downloading these graphics, you agree not to alter them in any way. Graphics may be used alongside your own photos, but may not be edited or altered in any other way.

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Click on the button below to view and download images. For more images and helpful info, join the vendor Facebook page: facebook.com/groups/occoquanvendors.

NEW: program map advertisements

Vendors can advertise on the RiverFest Program Map at a special discounted rate! Deadline to participate is Friday, May 15. Learn more at https://www.jotform.com/260824279180157

during the event

Weather

We host the show rain or shine so be sure to check the weather before you pack just in case we get a few sprinkles while you are here. Our town zip is 22125 for updates.

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Security

The Town will provide overnight security to patrol the streets Friday and Saturday nights. You do not have to clear your site Saturday evening; however, the Town is not responsible for securing individual tents or properties. 

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Early Departure

Booths must be staffed both days of the event. Vendors who do not stay for the full duration may be excluded from future events. In case of an emergency requiring early departure, please notify the director as soon as possible. 

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Breakfast

We offer breakfast to vendors at Town Hall from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday and 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. We are pleased to announce that our assortment of delicious scones and muffins are provided by Great Harvest Bread Company, while supplies last.

VA Tax

You will need to keep track of your Virginia tax while vending in Occoquan. This link will take you to the form you will use. 

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Lunch Options

There are many places in town to find a bite to eat during the weekend. The  main Food Court will be adjacent to River Mill Park again for this show and another near Mamie Davis Park. If these two areas are not convenient to your booth space, feel free to place an advance order with one of our eateries, or BYO lunch. Be sure to pack water to keep hydrated.

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load out

Early Departure

Booths are required to be staffed both days of the event. If an emergency requires an early departure, notify the director as soon as possible. After road closures take effect, NO VEHICLES will be operated within the event space until authorized by public safety officials. It is imperative for the safety that vendors follow this direction. Any movement of a vehicle without being authorized by a public safety official will result in an issuance of a reckless driving charge. 

 

Break Down & Exit Plan

  • Vendor vehicles will be allowed on town streets once pedestrian traffic has cleared. This begins no earlier than 6:00pm. Please break down your booth space completely, prior to bringing your vehicle on site. Obey all police traffic direction.

  • Our streets are narrow! Please don’t block the center of the street.  Leave an open lane for traffic flow. 

  • Be a considerate visitor to Occoquan and leave your booth space in the same condition that you found it. Do not leave any trash or empty boxes at your site.

  • Completely break down your exhibit PRIOR to bringing your vehicle into Town. Pull back from the center of the street, i.e., pack stock, collapse tents, tables and display stands, then bring vehicle into Town. 

  • Please cooperate with all Traffic Director requests.

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