Summary
Over the years, the lighthearted tradition continues! We welcome you to attend the annual Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw and Festival! This is one of the region's largest events, and we invite you to submit an application to be a part of it! Our fair hosts 150 vendor spaces, which guarantees a wide variety of art and fine craft items for sale!
Cow Chip Arts and Crafts Fair will be held on Saturday, September 4, 2027, from 9am-5pm. This one day, outdoor art fair is held in Marion Park, Prairie du Sac, WI.
Booth spaces are 15ft x 15ft, outdoor on grass only, with no electricity access. Booth spaces are assigned based on date of application, and we will do our best to honor requests. Applications are juried blind by a committee based solely on media category and photos that are submitted.
General information
- Applications accepted through May 11, 2027
- Notifications will be sent out May 21, 2027
- Booth fees must be paid by July 1, 2027
The art fair runs from 9am-5pm on Saturday, September 4, 2027. This one-day, juried art and craft fair event will be held in Marion Park (corner of 1st St and Grand Ave), Prairie du Sac, WI 53578.
Fees: This is an outdoor event; no refunds will be available for inclement weather.
- $25 jury fee (non-refundable)
- $115 booth fee for a 15x15 ft space. Double and triple booth options are available. No refunds for booth fees will be offered after July 1, with no exceptions.
Eligible: Art and craft items of original design, handcrafted by the exhibiting artist.
Not Eligible: Buy/sell items, consignment pieces, work made from kits/patterns, imported items, and food vendors (including dry dip mixes, samples, salsas, and honey).
Application Procedures
- Both new and returning vendors must fill out the application in full, including 5 photos of the work you plan to sell and 1 booth shot. 1 in-process photo of you making the work is highly recommended. It must be clear to the jury that you hand-make your product. If we can not verify this, you may not be selected.
- Images should be high quality and in the correct orientation for viewing. Keep in mind that these photos will be used for promotion if you are accepted into the fair.
- Previous participation in the event does not guarantee continued acceptance.
- Applicants will be juried in May by a committee, based solely off of the photos provided.
Note: River Arts Inc. is not accepting paper applications for this event. All applications, photos, and payments must be submitted using this online format.
Media Categories Accepted
- Fiber
- Bath/Body/Candles
- Ceramics
- Digital artwork
- Wood
- Metal
- 2-D Art
- Photography
- Jewelry
- Floral
- Leather
- Decor
- Toys
- Other
Best in Show
Two vendors will be selected as 2027 Best in Show. These winners will each receive an award to be displayed in their booth for the remainder of the fair, as well as a free booth for the 2028 fair (valued at $140).
Park info
This event takes place in a public park. All booths are on grass. There are trees scattered throughout the park and intersect with some booths. Electricity is not available. Public restrooms are provided in the form of portable toilets (porta-potties) brought in for the day.
Artist Amenities
- Complimentary booth sitting service from 10a-4p during the fair
- Complimentary vendor coffee served from 7:30am-9am the day of the event (while supplies last)
- Free overnight trailer/RV parking. Free street parking all day during the event. Handicap parking is available along First Street.
About the Hosting Organization: River Arts, Inc.
River Arts Inc. was formed in 1997 and became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that served as the capital fundraising organization for the Sauk Prairie community's River Arts Center. When that charge was complete in 2000, the organization restructured itself as an arts presenter. River Arts Inc. produces an annual performance series in the 500-seat theatre in the River Arts Center and the 200-seat theatre in Leola Hall, curates multiple art exhibits in the 1700 square foot River Arts Center gallery adjacent to the theatre, represents 40 local artists in the retail River Arts on Water Gallery, offers hands-on art workshops year round, and manages the Cow Chip Arts & Crafts Fair each year.