EVENT INFORMATION

Now celebrating its 43rd year, the Shelby Township Art Fair is a beloved community tradition set within the beautiful natural landscape of River Bends Park, at 5700 22 Mile Road in Shelby Township, Michigan. With over 100 talented artists and vendors participating each year, the fair offers a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere for exhibitors and guests alike.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

The Shelby Township Art Fair is held at River Bends Park, located at 5700 22 Mile Road, Shelby Township, Michigan. This juried, outdoor event welcomes creators and features original, handmade work only. Resale products and commercial distributors are not permitted.

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The fair runs Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m both days. Booths are approximately 15’ x 15’, with double booths available, all situated on grass. Please note that this event takes place in a natural, rustic park setting. Electricity and water are not provided. Exhibitors benefit from easy curbside load-in and load-out, as well as ample free daytime and overnight parking nearby. Overnight security is provided Friday and Saturday nights, though Shelby Township is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Exhibitors welcome to apply should create one-of-a-kind or limited-edition works of painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, glass, jewelry, fiber, metal, wood, mixed media, and more. All displayed work must be made by the exhibitor and match submitted images. Final placement is determined by the jury committee.

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There is no commission on sales; exhibitors are responsible for collecting and reporting Michigan’s 6% sales tax. Additional perks include complimentary coffee and donuts each morning, multi-platform advertising, friendly and organized staff support, and monetary awards for winners, who also receive jury-exempt status for the following year.

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RULES/REGULATIONS

• Shelby Township Art Fair committee reserves the right to re-categorize a submission with the artists best interest in mind. Every attempt will be made to notify the artist if this is done. 

• Shelby Township Art Fair committee reserves the right to request proof of work through a work-in-progress photo.

• Artists are not permitted to leave their vehicles in shopper parking-lots.

• Accepted applicants are required to be present to represent their own work and/or products and to have sufficient stock for anticipated sales for the weekend. Failure to do so may result in rejection from future shows.

• Unless weather creates a danger, all exhibitors must keep their booth open during hours advertised for the show. Early take-down will result in rejection from future shows.

• No booth-sitting services are available. Please consider this when the weekend approaches.

• The use of large sale signs is prohibited, however small, tasteful signs are permitted. The committee reserves the right to require removal of signs deemed in violation.

• Electricity is not available in booths and no generators are allowed, however marine batteries are permitted.

• “Same spot as last year” requests cannot always be honored, as the layout may change each year.

• We encourage all vendors to please utilize a white tent.

• Corner requests will not be considered without the additional corner fee of $40 paid.

• No resale vendors are permitted at this event.

• FOOD VENDORS: All food vendors are required by law to be certified by either the Macomb County or Oakland County health department and to display their certificate prominently, including a copy of their paper license. It is the vendor’s responsibility to have their equipment, products, etc. inspected by the Macomb County Health Department and to pay the Macomb County Health Department PRIOR to the event. Vendors must also get approval from the Shelby Township Fire Department prior to the event. The health department/fire department will not take fees on the day of the event. All payments must be made IN ADVANCE. An inspector will be scheduled to be on-site prior to 10 am on the first day of the Fair. If the food vendor fails to comply, they will be ejected from the fair with no refund. 

 

BOOTH INFORMATION

Booths must be purchased by May 25, 2026. Fees include:

Single Booth (15'x15'): $195.00 (Please do not purchase two single booths as a double booth)
Double Booth (15'x30'): $390.00 (Please do not purchase two single booths as a double booth)
Corner Booth: +$40.00 in addition single booth fee. Limited number of corner booths are available. Any requests for a corner booth without the add-on purchase of a corner booth will not be honored.

Artists must provide all their own supplies to operate throughout the weekend, including tents, tables, chairs, diaplays, weights, and weather protection. Parking behind booths is not guaranteed and it is recommended artists bring dollys or wagons when setting up booth spaces. Generators are not allowed. Work should be confined to the space of your booth. Please keep in mind that this event takes place in the rustic, natural setting of a park. Booths are situated on grass and around trees. 

FOOD TRUCK VENDORS
Food Truck Booth (15'x30'): $200 + $25 application fee
Vendors will be given an area measuring approximately 15’ x 30’ if on grass unless other arrangements are made. Vendors placed on pavement will be assigned an area large enough for their truck/trailer and their display units, set-ups, sun/rain protection, etc. Unless special arrangements have been made, all Food Vendors will be required to provide their own generator and water. 

Please email shelbyprm@shelbytwp.org or call 586-731-0300 if you have any questions about booth fees. Please contact us with questions PRIOR to completing an application.

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REFUND POLICY

Refunds for booths are honored if requests for a refund are made in writing prior to July 1st, 2026. All requests made in writing prior to July 1st will receive a 50% refund. Any requests after the July 1st deadline will not receive a refund. Jury/application fees are final and non-refundable.

To request a refund prior to July 1st, 2026, please email shelbyprm@shelbytwp.org

Artists who withdraw within 14 days of the fair, or fail to appear without notice, may not be considered for the following year.

 

JURY DETAILS

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Average number of applications submitted each year:

150

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Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event:

125

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Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event:

25

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How returning artists are selected:

Received an award

History of participation

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Vendors that are excluded/ineligible:

Production/fabrication groups/teams

Buy-sell vendors

Wholesale vendors

MLM vendors

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How images are viewed by jurors:

Computer monitor

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Within a medium category, applications are sorted and viewed by:

Application Received (date the application was submitted)

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Jurors score applications using the following scale:

Yes, No, or Maybe

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Number of jurors scoring applications:

5

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The show organizes the jurors for a:

Single jury panel that scores applications for all medium categories

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Jurors score:

Convened as a group in one room

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Am I allowed to observe the jury process?

Jury process is closed