GENERAL INFORMATION

The Ester Village Farmers & Craft Market is a local open-air summertime market, sponsored by the EMCE, a committee of the Ester Community Association, a nonprofit organization. The EMCE provides this venue in the hope of supporting local businesses and nonprofits; funds raised are used to support the market through advertising and supplies.

REGISTRATION

Vendors are expected to register the first day they participate in the market, and to check in with the market manager on any subsequent day they participate. The market manager will give each new vendor a registration form, which should be filled out and presented to the manager with the season fee before the start of the market.

FEES AND FORMS

Season Fee

Vendors pay a one-time annual season fee of $10; this applies no matter how many times the vendor participates or how many market days are left in the season.

Sales Percentage

Vendors pay the market manager 5% of their day's sales. A sales slip will be given to each vendor at check-in, which should be filled out and returned to the market manager at the end of the market day with payment. Checks should be made to Ester Community Association or ECA.

HOURS OF OPERATION, PARKING, SETUP, AND CLEANUP

The market will be held every Thursday evening, from 4:30 to 7:30 pm at the Ester Community Park. Opening day is June 3, closing day is September 9.

Market participants are expected to clean up after themselves, to haul away any trash that may have accumulated each market day, and to remove all of their effects at the end of each market day.

Setup may begin at 3 pm; all vendors should be checked in with the market manager and ready for business by 4:30 pm. Booths may be set up on the west side of the parking lot, starting by the horse hitch. Vehicles should be parked away from the vendor booths so as not to obstruct foot traffic.

The pavilion is not available to market vendors. Vendors are responsible for bringing their own shelter.

The market closes at 7:30 pm; vendors are expected to pay the market manager as soon as possible after closing.

ESTER COMMUNITY PARK INFORMATION

The Ester Community Park will be available for other events and activiites during the market; it is a borough park but maintained by volunteers, members of the Ester Community Association. Regular Thursday evening activities include (but are not limited to) the weekly meeting of Boy Scouts Troop 92 and the Calypso Farm CSA shares pickup. Vendors are enjoined to respect the activities of other groups and individuals.

GOODS AND PRODUCTS

All goods sold at the market should be Alaska made, produced, or grown. Examples of items sold in previous years include jewelry, books, clothing, spice mixes, plant starts, produce, honey, baked goods, sandwiches, and so on.

FOOD

Any food sold at the market should comply with DEC regulations. The vendor alone is responsible for the quality and safety of the food he or she sells; neither the Ester Community Association nor the EMCE makes any claims nor takes any responsibility for edible goods sold at the market.

FARMSTANDS

The market encourages farmers and truck gardeners to sell their plants and produce. Plant starts and fresh vegetables and fruit are very popular items!