VENDOR INFORMATION - OUTDOOR MARKET
DATES AND HOURS OF OPERATION
Friday December 5th
SET UP: 12pm to 3pm
EVENT: 3pm to 9pm
TEARDOWN: 9pm - 10pm
ACTIVATIONS: Mayor & Council Tree Lighting (6pm), Guelph Storm game (7pm)
Saturday December 6th
SET UP: 9am to 11am
EVENT: 11am to 8pm
TEARDOWN: 8pm to 9pm
ACTIVATIONS: Guelph Santa Run and Santa Parade, 5pm
Sunday December 7th
SET UP: 10am to 12pm
EVENT: 12pm to 5pm
TEARDOWN: 5pm to 7pm
Friday December 12th
SET UP: 12pm to 3pm
EVENT: 3pm to 9pm
TEARDOWN: 9pm - 10pm
ACTIVATIONS: Guelph Storm game, 7pm
Saturday December 13th
SET UP: 9am to 11am
EVENT: 11am to 8pm
TEARDOWN: 8pm to 9pm
ACTIVATIONS: Guelph Storm game (2pm), North Fire Circus (5pm to 8.30pm)
Sunday December 14th
SET UP: 10am to 12pm
EVENT: 12pm to 5pm
TEARDOWN: 5pm to 7pm
ACTIVATIONS: Children’s Day (Indoor Marketplace)
Vendors are expected to be onsite, set up, and ready to sell between their agreed times, no exceptions.
LOAD IN
Outdoor market vendors have two options for load in.
OPTION 1
Vendors can drop off their goods at Event HQ (the DGBA office, above Capistrano, overlooking St George’s Square) between 11am and 2pm Monday through Wednesday, December 2nd to 4th. These will be stored for you in advance of set up on Friday December 6th.
OPTION 2
Vendors can bring all their items for set up on the first day of the market, Friday December 6th.
LOAD IN DETAILS FOR BOTH OPTIONS
Vendors should park as close to St George’s Square as possible to unload before moving their car offsite or to a Downtown parking lot. You will be provided with a key to your hut. Keys require a $50 deposit. There are a limited number of carts available. There are no reserved load in spots. You can find all the details of Downtown parking lots and rates here.
HUT LOCATION AND SITE MAP
Huts are located in the Activity Court (in front of Capistrano) and around the fountain in St George’s Square. A site map with your exact location will be posted here in November.
SECURITY
Professional security staff are onsite during Market operating hours and overnight from December 5th to December 14th. Although we have security personnel onsite, we are not responsible for your merchandise or personal belongings left in the hut.
STORAGE
Vendors can store goods in their huts overnight (at their own risk) or are able to bring goods up to Event HQ (above Capistrano in St George’s Square) after the event each evening, and store them here for the week in between the two market weekends (3 x 3 space provided). Vendors can also store extra stock in this 3 x 3 space to allow for easy replenishment during the event. Event HQ is always staffed and open during market hours, however all goods are stored at the owner’s risk.
BREAK ROOM/WARMING STATION
The Event HQ (above Capistrano in St George’s Square) is a space where you can warm up, use the washroom, and grab a drink or light snack. Ask any of our volunteers (wearing red toques) to relieve you if you need a break. Bring a refillable water bottle and a mug with you.
MARKETING AND PUBLICITY
Spirit of the Season is committed to extensively advertise, publicize, and promote the event to ensure high attendance. Local media and news outlets will be made aware of the event through press releases.
Vendor listings and information will be included in social media campaigns and vendors are encouraged to share campaign posts on their own platforms using the images to the right (right click and choose the ‘Save as’ option) and the hashtag #spiritoftheseason and tagging @downtownguelph.
ACCESSIBILITY
The outdoor huts do not allow for wheelchair access inside. St George’s Square allows for wheelchair access, and there are accessible washrooms close by.
EXPECTATIONS OF VENDORS
Cooperation from all vendors is required to achieve an optimal overall appearance and atmosphere. Every vendor is responsible for designing their own hut/table in an attractive manner. Vendors are encouraged to add their personal touch to best reflect their merchandise.
All shelving, additional lighting, and anything else to best display merchandise is the responsibility of the vendor. No shelving, temporary structures or display stands are permitted outside the footprint of the hut.
All vendors are expected to display a sign bearing their business name. No advertising banners are permitted.
EVENT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT
Our event management team will oversee the planning, delivery, management, and marketing of this signature event. Vendors will receive marketing assets and the team are here to provide guidance by email before the event, and in-person during the event.
THE HUTS
The huts are purpose built and measure 7’ wide by 8’ long. Each hut will have a string of lights already provided. There are 23 outdoor huts in total, all located in and around St George’s Square. You will receive a site map and your exact location in mid-November.
The huts are accessed via a lockable back door. The front opening can also be locked from the inside.
There is some overhead storage inside the hut although a stepladder (provided by the vendor) would be required to access it.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions regarding the event, please do not hesitate to contact Sam and Alex at market@downtownguelph.com.
Sam Jewell, Event Manager, Downtown Guelph Business Association
Alex Turgeon, Special Projects, Downtown Guelph Business Association