ABOUT EVENT

Is there an entrance fee for the festival?
No. We would prefer that our guests spend money with the participating businesses in order to help stimulate the local economy.

What are the festival hours?
The event is currently slated to be open:
Friday Aug 5 4PM – 8PM
Sat Aug 6 10AM – 8PM
Sun Aug 7 10AM – 4PM

What address should I use for GPS?
From the South: 102 E Main St, Northville, MI 48167 will take you closest the main intersection of the event, but you will need to park just shy of your destination due to road closures.
From the North: 133 W. Main St, Northville, MI 48167 will take you to a festival entrance, then turn right on Wing St to park.
From the East: 201 E Main St, Northville, MI 48167 will take you to a festival entrance, then turn right or left on Hutton St for parking.
From the West: 145 N Center St, Northville, MI 48167 will take you to a festival entrance, then turn right or left on Dunlap St for parking.

Where should I park?
There are public parking lots available behind most of the buildings that line Main and Center streets. Some street parking is also available in neighborhoods surrounding the festival. All parking for this event is free.

Can I ride a bicycle?
Yes, bikes are welcome in town and you will find a bike rack on Center Street by D&D Bicycles or on East Main Street near Hutton, for your convenience.

Are dogs welcome at this event?
Yes, though at your own risk. Northville is a dog-friendly community so feel free to bring your leashed pup to the event. Keep in mind that you are responsible for the health and welfare of your pet (it gets hot out there), and the safety of other guests during pet interactions (be sure your dog does well in large crowds), as well as maintaining a clean environment (scoop up after your dog). Neither Buy Michigan Now nor the City of Northville is responsible for any damage or harm caused by bringing a pet to the event.

Are ALL of the products sold at the festival made in Michigan?
Many, but not all. All businesses must be Michigan-based in order to participate; however all of their products do not necessarily have to be made in Michigan, though that is our preference and the preference of our guests. Priority is given to businesses who only sell products made in Michigan during the selection process. Because of that, if a business applies saying they will only sell products made in Michigan they may NOT sell products made elsewhere.

How does the Buy Michigan Now campaign differ from the festival?
The festival is a one-time event that serves as a fundraiser for the campaign, which is a year-round effort to promote Michigan-based businesses and Michigan-made products. Through the campaign we promote buying local on a statewide level and direct consumers and organizations toward member businesses. The campaign is independent of state government and funded entirely by the businesses that benefit from it.

How can my organization join the Buy Michigan Now campaign?
Membership is available at a variety of different levels for organizations or artists that are Michigan-based.

FOR VENDORS

How can I get a link to my website from the Scheduled Vendors page?
Links to websites is an extra marketing tool provided to sponsors and members of the Buy Michigan Now campaign. Often guests who attended the festival return to our site to try to find a company they saw or spoke with, but whose name or contact information has escaped them. The links stay up until the next year’s vendors are scheduled, and can help with your company’s search engine optimization.

How can I help promote the event/my business through social media?
We all benefit from higher attendance so if you are active on social media, please actively promote that you will be at the festival. We use the hashtag #BMNFest and invite you to join and share the Facebook event. Buy Michigan Now actively promotes all of our vendors through social media. Be sure to email and let us know your Twitter handle, Facebook page, etc. If you make a product in Michigan that you will be selling, we highly recommend sending us a picture(s) well in advance of the event so we can help spread the word: fest@BuyMichiganNow.com

How can I request a specific space at the festival?
There is a box on the application called Additional Comments or Requests. All location requests should be made in that box. Please keep in mind that they are merely requests. While we do our best to accommodate as many as possible, there are several factors that go into determining a vendor’s location like: fire lanes, access to water and power, sponsorship, membership, merchant relationships, city preferences, disabled accommodations, access to inventory, etc. It is helpful to explain why you require the specific space so that we may prioritize critical needs. While available, Premium spaces may be purchased to guarantee a location near the primary intersection of Main and Center street. Otherwise, sponsors and Buy Michigan Now Members receive priority consideration when possible.

Can two or more companies share the same space?
Maybe. While we do not encourage this practice as it sometimes confuses guests, we understand that many small businesses have a desire to share costs. One business must take the lead, register, and make payment on behalf of all. All financial and equipment arrangements must be handled privately among the businesses involved. Unfortunately, because we are an all-volunteer staff, we do not have the resources to help businesses find partners. If sharing space, all businesses must be Michigan-based as defined by meeting one of the criteria on the application, and all businesses must submit an application for approval. The primary business, the one responsible for making payment, should apply first and provide the name of any business with whom they wish to share space in the Additional Comments or Requests section of the application. The other business(s) must name the primary business in the same section of their own application(s). All must agree to abide by the Rules & Regulations and provide clear descriptions of what products they intend to sell on their applications. This year, there are also a limited amount of one-day options available for vendors to sell from pre-built stands and pods along the festival route. To request one such opportunity, email fest@buymichigannow.com.

Does booth space come with a tent and tables?
No. Because most of our vendors have their own equipment and desire to keep their costs low, no equipment is provided. Equipment may be rented by contacting Begonia Brothers (888-889-8282) or other companies of the vendor’s choosing.

What hours does my booth need to be open?
Except in the event of an emergency, all vendors are expected to be open:
Friday 4PM – 8PM
Saturday 10AM – 8PM
Sunday 10AM – 4PM

Does our booth have to be open during all of the event hours?
Yes. All vendors are expected to remain open and available to guests from open to close on each day of the festival, even if no product remains. In the event of an emergency, please contact volunteers at the Information Booth or call 248-390-0974 to request a schedule adjustment. Vendors may not leave tents or any other display materials unattended while the event is open to the public.

What time can we begin setting up on Friday?
The streets must be closed and prepared before set-up can begin so there is absolutely no set-up prior to 10AM on Friday, Aug 5, without prior consent. There may be an opportunity for early set-up on West Main and Center Streets, which are already closed for the year-round social district. If that becomes an option, vendors in those areas will be notified in advance.

Are there people who can help me set up and/or breakdown my exhibit?
Yes. Vendors are ultimately responsible for all of their own merchandise and equipment; however Buy Michigan Now will have volunteers on site to assist. If you need help, come to the Information Booth at Main and Center Streets and we will do our best to assist you.

Can I leave my tent and merchandise on site overnight?
Yes, though at your own risk. There will be security patrolling the area overnight; however neither Buy Michigan Now nor the City of Northville may be held responsible for any equipment or merchandise exhibitors choose to bring or leave on site at any time. We highly recommend taking weather conditions into consideration before leaving anything behind. Also, be aware that it may not be possible for a vehicle to pull up to your space for unloading or loading at any other time than setup on Friday or closing on Sunday, and plan accordingly.

Is there a designated hotel for lodging that you recommend?
No. Because most of our vendors do not require overnight accommodations and most of the lodging in the area is provided by national chains, which fall outside of the parameters of our buy local campaign, we do not have a specific recommendation. You may find many options here. You may also want to check for discounts through services like Kayak or Hotels.com.

If something changes and I can’t attend, can I get a refund for my space?
Maybe, based on timing. Notice of cancellations must be in writing. If you wish to cancel your reservation send an email with an explanation to Fest@BuyMichiganNow.com. In the event of a vendor cancelation in writing prior to July 1, 2022, 50% of the vendor fee will be refunded. No refunds will be made after July 1, 2022 due to administrative costs and limited time to market the space to other companies.

Author: bmnadmin