Midnight Sun Festival FAQs

What is the timeline of the Festival?^

Online Registration starts:
October 12th–EarlyRegistration
November 2nd–Open Registration

Final payment due:
May 1st–Booths not paid in full by 5pm are released to wait-listed applicants

Information Package:
June 1st–The event map and details about the festival are mailed to all event participants

Midnight Sun Festival:
June 20th–The event lasts noon to midnight in Downtown Fairbanks

How much do artists get paid to perform for 45 minutes at the Midnight Sun Festival?^

Because we believe Fairbanks is the artists’ capitol of the world, we’re always delighted to support Fairbanks’ performing artists who can sign up as early as November 2nd each year to perform at the following Midnight Sun Festival. There are now two options performing artists can choose from:

Standard Option: Solo artists are paid $75; Group artists are paid $150

Talent Sponsor Alternative: We’re so proud of our local talent, we’ll pay for tons more in advertising your gig instead and you also get a free merchandise booth (worth $160) during your scheduled performance time! For example, say you’re in a large group. Well, under the Standard Option, the group would be paid a total of $150. But the Talent Sponsor Option eliminates splitting $150 multiple ways and allows you to stretch those dollars much farther. This was such a huge success in 2008–we can’t wait to get started again and are very excited about the talent at 2009’s event!

What is the difference between a Retail/Snack Food Vendor & a Full Food Vendor?
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A snack food vendor is any vendor selling food items that are fully contained and pre-packaged. These items do not require electricity, warming or cooking. Example would be someone selling bagged potato chips or bottled juice or soda. A full food vendor is any vendor selling food items that do require electricity, warming, cooking or is not fully contained and pre-packaged. Examples are: Steak sandwiches, fried dough, crepes, turkey legs etc.

I’m a new vendor, what sort of cash bank should I bring?
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“I actually bring more cause I know I’ll be asked. If quarters are used you might bring $50 worth. I went through $275 in quarters in 2007 and more in $2008. $1 bills should be triple what is expected. Any vendor should be able to change a $100 bill with their first customer. Fanny packs make great banks for larger amounts.” –Alice Penn of “Aunt Alice’s Old Time Sugar Corn”

What are the essentials to bring for a 12 hour event?
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Comfy shoes, sunscreen lotion if warm, hat – if warm, chair, display table, lots of drinking water, lots of change (see above), a friend to help run the booth for you for a few hours! If you are bringing a tent, please make sure you have a method of weighting it down that is contained – ie sand bag, rocks in a bucket etc.

Where can I park on the day?
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The parking garage only has a clearance of 7′2″ – if your vehicle is over this height, we recommend that you avail of the Sadler’s parking lot on the corner of Cushman Street and 5th Avenue.

What is the earliest time that I can come to set-up my booth?^

Not before 6:00 am June 20. We are not allowed to close off traffic for this event until midnight the night before, so it takes us until 6:00 am to chalk each of the booth spaces.  You must adhere to the zoned move-in schedule that you will receive upon final payment for your booth and t-shirts. Not only does this prevent traffic blockages, but we want to ensure everyone has the space available to them that they have paid for. Moving in any earlier than your scheduled time impedes on this process.

Why do I need to wear a Midnight Sun Festival T-Shirt?
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This is one of the greatest methods we have of publicizing our event. Not only does it distinguish booth operators from the general crowd but it also creates a “buzz”. Over the years, these t-shirts have become a collectors item and the unveiling of the logo is a much anticipated event each year. These t-shirts also are a primary form of fund raising for the event and help pay for a lot of the marketing that we put into advertising it.

Are you a veteran participant of this event? Have any other great tips and pointers?
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Please let us know and we will gladly add your tip to this list.