The Virginia Children's Book Festival (VCBF) is an annual free festival of children's literature. This event features presentations and signings by authors and illustrators of national acclaim, writing workshops, book sales, special programming, and more. This event generally draws around 12,000 attendees. The festival runs from 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m daily. The busiest time of the day for vendors is the hour and a half break at lunchtime. Vendor space is adjacent to the VCBF bookstore and book-signing area.
Application Details
All vendors must be of a literary nature and fit the literary theme of the event. Publications qualify only if the publication itself is the primary focus of the business or organization. Organizations which publish pamphlets or literature only for the purpose of promoting the organization’s mission do not qualify. Vendor selection will be made by the VCBF Planning Committee.
The fee for submitting a VCBF Vendor Application is $40 and is non-refundable.
Complete the form below, and submit for payment processing — we accept Visa and Mastercard. You will be contacted shortly after submitting your application. Please be sure to provide all contact information required. Incomplete applications will not be accepted for inclusion in the VCBF.
Individual spaces are limited to a 6 foot round table. Please ensure your operation will fit within this footprint. All organizations will be located at the discretion of the VCBF Committee.
Wednesday, October 16
PreK-Middle Grade
1 x 6 foot round table with two chairs
$400
2 x 6 foot round tables with 4 chairs
$600
Completion of this application does not guarantee a space at the VCBF.
Application Deadline
September 1, 2024
Tables and Pricing
The festival runs from 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m daily. The busiest time of the day for vendors is the hour and a half break at lunchtime. Vendor space is adjacent to the VCBF bookstore and book-signing area.
Thursday, October 17
PreK-Young Adult
1 x 6 foot round table with two chairs
$400
2 x 6 foot round tables with 4 chairs
$600
Vendors are provided with one 6 ft. round table, and two chairs. Vendors are responsible for providing tablecloths, signage and all other materials needed for an attractive booth space, and must operate only within their assigned space. Free wifi is available, but may be unreliable. Generators are NOT permitted, and electricity and water are not available. Vendors are required to take their trash with them at the end of the event, and will be subject to a fine if trash is left behind.
Vendor Regulations
Friday, October 18
Middle Grade-Young Adult
1 x 6 foot round table with two chairs
$400
2 x 6 foot round tables with 4 chairs
$600
Set-up will take place from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. One vehicle pass with an assigned entry time will be provided to accepted vendors. You must unload and move your car to the assigned area before setting up your booth. Unloading areas will be as close as possible to your booth space. Please bring someone with you to watch your belongings, as parking is not within sight of the booth. Festival streets will be closed to all traffic at 9a.m. Vehicles arriving after 9 a.m. will not be allowed into the festival area. Vendors may begin dismantling their booths at 2:00p.m. Event staff will not be available to help set up or dismantle your booth. Please plan accordingly.
All vendors are required to arrive, set up and breakdown at the assigned times communicated in the load in information.
No food items or drinks may be sold by any vendor.
Alcoholic beverages, pets (with the exception of service dogs), skateboards, roller blades, bicycles, weapons (real or facsimile) and smoking / vaping are prohibited on Festival grounds. VCBF staff members reserve the right to have vendors remove unacceptable or inappropriate items, or to relocate or dismiss/remove any participant.
VCBF staff members reserve the right to deem a vendor ineligible for participation in future events based on late arrival, early departure, no shows, and inappropriate or uncooperative behavior.