Mermaid Fest March 27-28, 2027

About This Call

Mermaid Fest is back on the island after Hurricane issues! This boutique Festival will feature no more than 50 artists allowing for less competition, less crossover booths and more potential opportunities to connect with shoppers. This application is for Fort Myers Beach Festival of the Arts. It is set in iconic Times Square - replacing the island's Invitational at Lover's Key due to damage from hurricanes. There is no music, no booze and no food putting the focus solely on art, craft and unique gifts.

• Open Saturday & Sunday 10am to 5pm
• Apply early and save $50 - $325 if paid before Jan 27, $325 if paid after
• May apply in up to 2 categories

Event setup is Saturday morning 6:30am to 9am. There are 3 dates for this location. Additional dates: Holly Jolly Market Dec 19-20, 2026; Fort Myers Festival of the Arts Jan 23-24, 2027.

Focus is on handmade & artist designed items but the jury will consider unique/creative gift ideas, authors, inventors and designers for holiday gift giving. Each event juried separate. You may apply to one or all. Participating in one, does not guarantee you will be accepted every month. We love and encourage emerging artists of all levels.

General information

The artists are selected through a review of their work by a panel of experts. We are busting the box open and making changes! The art industry is changing and we are encouraging creatives of all types to apply.

For all events, we will accept the following:

1. artist - made by my hands
2. artist - production/studio work - no more than 2 assistants
3. artist - studio work with more than 2 assistants
4. craft - made by my own hands
5. craft - production/studio work - no more than 2 assistants
6. inventor - created an innovative concept that is put into production
7. designer - creates all designs and images that may be utilized in final creation
8. other, describe - this includes fair trade and anything NOT made by your hands
9. sponsor - (start $600) All other service businesses looking to sell a service or product

Sponsors are home service repairs, car dealerships, and any large contract type retailer. These spaces are limited to no more than 4-6 at this event. Easy load in and load out next to booth, weather providing. Setup is Saturday 6:30am to 9:30am. All vehicles must be off festival footprint by 9am! There is NO day before setup.

• All artist exhibitor tents must be white with the exception of branded sponsor booths. NO exceptions!
• No cheap camping tents. If you choose to use an EZ UP or umbrella type pop up tent, a minimum of 40 pounds per leg are required for a minimum of 160 pounds.
• Booth spaces are approximately 10' wide by 10' deep with at least 2 foot between booths. Booth and a half and Double booths are also available on a limited basis.

The applicants are selected through a review of their work by a panel of qualified experts. The top applicants in their categories are selected according to their skill and quality of work. Jurors score applications on a scale of 1-7; 3 jurors score applications separately from various locations, as a single jury panel scoring all medium categories. The jury process is closed.