IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ: If you have already been invited to, or previously exhibited at Prater’s Mill Country Fair, this application is not for you. You will be receiving an email with a custom RSVP link in the future. For more information, go to the invited applicants page.

New Exhibitor Application

The 2024 Prater’s Mill Country Fair will be postponed until October 11th & 12th 2025. 

The majority of site used for the fair is needed for extensive building repair, site renovation, and creek bank reclamation projects planned for 2024 

Information on the 2025 Prater’s Mill Country Fair will be released early this fall.

Requirements for Consideration

  • All crafts must be hand-made out of natural materials by the exhibitor.
  • Read all information before applying.
  • Descriptions need to be specific and detailed. Example: “woodcraft” or “barbecue” do not provide enough detail.
  • Applications are accepted from October 25th – September 25th.
  • Submit prior to the July 25th ‘deadline’ to be notified on or before August 25th and be provided the better placement.
  • Fair Committee is not notified of unpaid or incomplete submissions.
  • Limited number of exhibitors in each category.
  • Exact Craft and Food items are not duplicated.
  • Exhibitors participate by invitation only.
  • Invitations are for your work only. You may not sublet your booth, in whole or in part.
  • Do not send booth fee before receiving an invitation.
  • Booth fee will be collected with the RSVP registration form.
  • You may not bring items not reviewed and accepted by the fair committee.
  • Exhibits are not judged. No awards are given.
  • No commission fee.
  • Limited 15 x 20 booths option where available
  • Electricity is an additional fee – limited availability of shared 20 amp outlet.
  • Quiet generators are allowed.
  • No tables or other supplies are furnished or available.
  • We do not allow modern food trucks or trailers in the exhibit area.
  • We do not offer commercial booths – See Info – business exposure or sponsorship.
  • Once accepted, the deadline to RSVP & pay booth fee is August 25 or within 10 days of notification, whichever is later.
  • Booth Fees are due by August 25 15 days after notification, whichever is later. A $35 late fee is assessed after a 5 day grace period..
  • A list of Fees and Deadlines are listed next with Informational Documents listed after that.
  • Application Fees are listed under each Booth Type. These are one-time, nonrefundable fees and do not apply toward booth fees.

† LIABILITY INSURANCE REQUIRED: Required if you prepare food on site, provide an amusement and/or comes into contact with the public in anyway, both inside and out. Prater’s Mill must be provided with proof of liability insurance certificate reflecting coverage in an amount of no less than $1,000,000.00 naming “Prater’s Mill Foundation, Inc.” as additional insured no later than August 25. Such booths that come into contact with the public shall provide hand-sanitizing facilities.

Contact the fair committee if you have questions or concerns about requirements, conflicts, or limitations BEFORE applying.

SELECT BOOTH TYPE TO CONTINUE:

AMUSEMENT:  activities like rides & face painting, etc.    Food Menu is for immediate consumption. You can check the ‘I Have Food To-Go Items’ box under both CRAFT and FOOD MENU booth types.

CraftFoodAuthorInfoAmusementLiving History

Craft Details & Requirements

All craft items must be original, handmade by exhibitor out of only natural materials.

You can check the ‘I Have Food To-Go Items’ box under both CRAFT and FOOD MENU booth types

  • No plastic allowed except in packaging
  • May not bring the work of others.
  • No co-op merchandise allowed.
  • Fair Trade items are not allowed.
  • No resale items allowed – even if you have enhanced them.
  • Artists should display original work with no more than 65% reproductions.
  • Items made from kits or products bought and assembled are not allowed.
  • Items made from commercial molds are also disqualified unless they have been hand-painted with original designs, like “China-painting”.

Limited computer-aided designs and fabrication allowed:

  • Computer Graphics presented appropriately:
  • Allowed:
  • Artwork completely designed and created by exhibitor.
  • Photos taken by exhibitor and altered using custom methods & settings.
  • Use of public domain fonts.
  • Not allowed:
    • Use of public domain and/or paid Clipart/graphics etc.
    • Use of licensed fonts.
    • Work that is not at least 90% of your making.
  • Cricket or other computer-driven device limitations:
  • Allowed:
    • Cut out of natural materials from computer designs as allowed above.
    • Cutting positive or negative lettering or icon template to paint/draw.
  • Not allowed:
    • Vinyl adhesive of any kind
  • Paint & Draw & Photography
    • Although the paint manufacturers use all sorts of chemicals in production, we feel it is unreasonable to require all-natural handmade paint and canvas. Items for sale must consist of original work with no more than 60% reproductions.
    • Modern photography methods are allowed higher acceptance of self-developed work. Computer enhancement is allowed within the parameters above.
  • Native American Craft: We do follow the Indian Arts & Crafts Act of 1990.
    • To sell as “native made,” include a certificate with RSVP (by August 25) and display in your booth.
    • Otherwise, items must be presented as native-inspired.

Craft Application Requirements:

  1. Minimum of
    • three [3] photos of your work (single item or small group of each kind – no collages),
    • two [2] photos of you creating your work (with full face or profile)
    • one [1] photo of your booth or display – if no picture of booth.
  2. Description with each photo/document uploaded.
  3. Optional: information on your work, newspaper articles, etc (links to online materials).
  4. $40* one-time, nonrefundable application fee required which does not apply toward booth fees
  5. Electronic payment preferred to submit form – credit, debit, Google Pay, and Apple Pay
    • Check/money order accepted but will delay application review about 60 days (highly discouraged)
  6. Liability Insurance is not required for Craft booths
Continue Application

Food Details & Requirements

FOOD DETAILS & REQUIREMENTS

Food Menu is for immediate consumption. You can check the ‘I Have Food To-Go Items’ box under both CRAFT and FOOD MENU booth types.

We boast the best Southern food this side of Heaven.

    —Food Menu: food for immediate consumption.

    —Food To-Go: take home food items such as canned goods, spice mixes, hot sauce

  • Food items support the Southern Appalachian Country Fair theme – no pizza or tacos.
  • We have a significant number of Southern Appalachian Country Fair approved food items available.  Some items would be for this year only while others would be ongoing.
  • We do not allow modern food trucks or trailers in the exhibit area. 
  • If available, some food booths are located under shelter about 10’ frontage and 20’ deep.
  • No tables or other supplies are furnished or available. 
  • We do not duplicate food items. However, Breakfast, Brewed Tea, Regular Coffee, Lemonade, and Limeade can be prepared by any exhibitor.
  • Exhibitors may opt to sell a selection of Coke® products only available through Prater’s Mill.
  • No other resale beverages allowed (see INFO ON SELLING COKE® PRODUCTS in Docs)
  • All food prepared on site (for sale or sample) requires liability insurance†
  • Food Menu Booths shall provide visible hand-sanitizing facilities to the public.

Food Application Requirements:

  • Minimum of
    • three [3] photos of your food (item, plate, or small group – no collages, verify food is visible)
    • two [2] photos of you making your food items (with full face or profile)
    • one [1] photo of your booth or display – if no picture of booth.
  • Description with each photo/document uploaded.
  • Include a list of menu items with prices in description.
  • †Proof of Liability Insurance for food prepared on site (for sale or sample).
  • Optional: information on your work, newspaper articles, etc (links to online materials).
  • $40* one-time, nonrefundable application fee required which does not apply toward booth fees
  • Electronic payment preferred to submit form – credit, debit, Google Pay, and Apple Pay
    • Check/money order accepted but will delay application review about 60 days (highly discouraged)

† LIABILITY INSURANCE REQUIRED: Required if you prepare food on site, provide an amusement and/or comes into contact with the public in anyway, both inside and out. Prater’s Mill must be provided with proof of liability insurance certificate reflecting coverage in an amount of no less than $1,000,000.00 naming “Prater’s Mill Foundation, Inc.” as additional insured no later than August 25. Such booths that come into contact with the public shall provide hand-sanitizing facilities.

Continue Application

Author Details & Requirements

AUTHOR DETAILS & REQUIREMENTS

We offer a shared group booth for Authors. Once booths are placed, we will send out contact info of those sharing the space allowing y’all to coordinate details of furnishing the booth (tent, cooler, tables, chairs, etc.).

  • Each Author will have about 6 feet of frontage per stall.
  • An ‘Authors Corner’ has been established next to the mill accross from granary. Spaces are 10×10 and will hold three 6′ wide stalls each (both sides and corner).
  • Stall price is valid until August 25.
    • Unless there is an open stall, Authors who RSVP after August 25 will use a regular-priced booth.

Author Application Requirements:

  • Minimum of
    • one [1] photo of each book cover
    • one [1] photo of author’s headshot
    • one [1] photo of you creating your work (with full face or profile)
    • one [1] photo of your booth or display – if no picture of booth.
  • Description with each photo/document uploaded.
  • Optional: information on your work, newspaper articles, etc. (links to online materials).
  • $20* one-time, nonrefundable application fee required which does not apply toward booth fees
  • Electronic payment preferred to submit form – credit, debit, Google Pay, and Apple Pay
    • Check/money order accepted but will delay application review about 60 days (highly discouraged)
  • Liability Insurance is not required for Author Booths.
Continue Application

Information Booth Details & Requirements

—Nonprofit Exposure:

  • Church, library, service / civic group
  • Allows up to a 10’ wide Banner booth backdrop with company name, logo, etc.
  • Literature on display – NO HANDOUTS.

Nonprofit Application Requirements:

  1. Minimum of
    • two [2] photos of items/services promoting (single item or small group of each kind – no collages),
    • one [1] photo of prizes/giveaways [if applicable] (single item or small group – no collages),
    • one [1] photo of signage
    • one [1] photo of your booth.Description with each photo/document uploaded.
  2. Description with each photo/document uploaded.
  3. Optional: information on your group, newspaper articles, etc (links to online materials).
  4. $20* one-time, nonrefundable application fee required which does not apply toward booth fees
  5. Electronic payment preferred to submit form – credit, debit, Google Pay, and Apple Pay
    • Check/money order accepted but will delay application review about 60 days (highly discouraged)

— Business Exposure:

  • We do not offer commercial booths
  • Liability Insurance† may be required if there is:
    • interaction with water, animals, or equipment,
    • any contact with the human body, inside or out.
  • Store Side placement only see ‘placement policy’ under docs.
  • Allows up to a 10’ wide Banner booth backdrop with company name, logo, etc.
  • Literature on display – NO HANDOUTS.

Business Exposure Application Requirements:

  1. Minimum of
    • three [3] photos of kid’s activity (single item or small group of each kind – no collages),
    • two [2] photos of items/services promoting (single item or small group – no collages),
    • one [1] photo of prizes/giveaways [if applicable] (single item or small group – no collages),
    • one [1] photo of signage
    • one [1] photo of your booth.
  2. Optional: information on your group, newspaper articles, etc (links to online materials).
  3. $40* one-time, nonrefundable application fee required which does not apply toward booth fees
  4. Electronic payment preferred to submit form – credit, debit, Google Pay, and Apple Pay
    • Check/money order accepted but will delay application review about 60 days (highly discouraged)

—Sponsorship:

The commitment of our sponsors provides special long-term support and helps to bridge the gap to keep the Historic Site open and operational by providing funding and in-kind contributions. If your business is interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Mikey Sims — Fair Director via email mailto:fair@pratersmill.org, phone, or text at 404-451-3549. Leave message for call back and include name & purpose in texts.

Below are some examples of exposure we can offer based on the value of sponsorship

  • Sponsor Booth — see ‘placement policy’ under docs.
  • Sponsor Logo Link Listing on our Site.
  • Sponsor Banner Displayed.
  • Sponsor Listing in the Program.
  • Liability Insurance may be required depending on the booth/exhibit.
Continue Application

Amusement Booth Details & Requirements

  • We do not pay for exhibits or amusements. You will pay the appropriate booth fee.
  • Amusements must support the Southern Appalachian Country Fair theme
    • Unless you have inflatables with a farm or other historic theme, we can’t allow them.

Amusement Application Requirements:

  • Minimum of:
    • three [3] photos of your activity in action (– no collages),
    • two [2] photos of you running your activity (with full face or profile)
    • one [1] photo of your booth or activity entrance
  • Description with each photo/document uploaded.
  • Include a list of offerings with prices in description.
  • Optional: information on your group/work, newspaper articles, etc (links to online materials).
  • $40* one-time, nonrefundable application fee required which does not apply toward booth fees
  • Electronic payment preferred to submit form – credit, debit, Google Pay, and Apple Pay
    • Check/money order accepted but will delay application review about 60 days (highly discouraged).

† LIABILITY INSURANCE REQUIRED: Required if you prepare food on site, provide an amusement and/or comes into contact with the public in anyway, both inside and out. Prater’s Mill must be provided with proof of liability insurance certificate reflecting coverage in an amount of no less than $1,000,000.00 naming “Prater’s Mill Foundation, Inc.” as additional insured no later than August 25. Such booths that come into contact with the public shall provide hand-sanitizing facilities.

Continue Application

Living History Details & Requirements

Living History:

We support Living History and encourage groups to participate at no cost. The category consists of Historical Reenactments, Antique Displays (Farm Equipment, Tractors, Cars, etc.), and other historical displays or events. 

Living History Application Requirements:

  • Minimum of
    • three [3] photos of your display or event (– no collages),
    • one [1] photo of your group (with full face or profile)
    • one [1] photo of your booth or tent.
  • Description with each photo/document uploaded.
  • Optional: information on your work, newspaper articles, etc (links to online materials).
  • There is no application fee for living history.
  • Liability Insurance may be required depending on the booth/exhibit.
Continue Application