Virginia Fly fishing Festival
Platinum & Gold Tier Sponsors:
Copyright ©2012 Virginia Fly Fishing Festival
Who are you guys, anyway?
The Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Tasting Festival is the largest outdoor event of its kind in the country. We are thrilled to celebrate our 12th and best season ever in 2012! The Virginia Fly Fishing Festival was established by the Waynesboro Downtown Development Incorporated to draw eco-tourists to Waynesboro and to raise much-needed conservation funds for restoration work on the South River. Every year the City of Waynesboro, corporate sponsors like Temple Fork Outfitters, Dominion, Subaru, and Orvis, and fly fishing vendors of all types come together to put on this fantastic event and raise funds through admission ticket and raffle sales. After all expenses are paid, revenue is divided equally between conservation work and promoting the following season’s festival.
How many attendees turn out each year?
We anticipate approximately 2,000 guests over the course of the festival weekend. We don’t “guess” at attendance: Whereas some events charge a nominal entrance or parking fee or even admit patrons for free (and therefore take a random stab at attendance numbers), we sell serialized tickets and strictly control our gate. In other words, we know how many folks attend our festival, and we know that they’re serious about their sport. We want our vendors to make money at our event—but we’re in this for more than the money, too: We sponsor a full, free, educational children’s program over the course of the weekend. All children 16 and under are allowed in for free (no matter the size of the family) with a paying adult.
What will this cost me?
Vendor space is $300 per booth plus the contribution of a $100 raffle item, which is used to raise funds for our conservation efforts. Each vendor gets an 8-foot table, two chairs, and electricity (if desired). Our spaces are not sectioned off like traditional shows, so be advised that your space may be a bit larger or smaller than at other shows. All vendors are contained in a single 90 x 120 tent unless they have stand-alone tents of their own (as the wineries do). We provide 24-hour police security, and all vendors are required to leave the grounds when the festival is not open to the public. We appreciate our vendors and how hard they work—and for this reason, we invite our vendors to an all-you-can-eat BBQ dinner after setup on Friday, April 20 —the evening before the festival opens—for only $5. In this way our vendors, many of whom have traveled long distances and in some cases have already put in a full day’s work somewhere else, can count on a hot meal waiting for them when they are finished setting up their booth.
I represent a nonprofit organization: What’s in this for me?
We welcome nonprofits to attend our festival for free (depending on available space). Nonprofits will likely not have space within the main tent and may not have access to electricity. We do ask those representing nonprofits to purchase at least one VIP Dinner ticket for $50. Each nonprofit gets three free badges to distribute to those staffing their booth. Additional badges are $10 each.
I represent a winery: How do you handle us?
Wineries are integral to our festival; many of our attendees are devoted wine-tasters. And why not? Who doesn’t want to kick back with a glass of fine Virginia wine and listen to live bluegrass music while the South River rolls by? Winery contracts are unique, and we ask that you contact us before sending in your contract. We have a loyal following of repeat wineries that attend, so preference is given to wineries that have participated in the past. We currently limit this section of the festival to only eight of Virginia’s best wineries. Those who can’t attend this season are placed on a waiting list and are contacted as space becomes available.
We’re showing the way.
We are delighted to see other conservation-minded sportsmen around the country adapting our model to their particular locale. The funds they raise help the fly fishing businesses in their area and promote conservation efforts on their local waters. This puts a smile on our face because we love to be trend setters in the fly fishing industry and say with gusto to those who wish to follow in our footsteps, “Come on in—the water’s just fine!”
If you’d like to be a vendor at the 2012 Virginia Fly Fishing Festival, please print out the registration forms and send in your contract along with payment and your raffle item. Please note that a $100 raffle item most be donated for each table. Should you have any questions, please contact Beau Beasley, festival director, at ….
Should you need further information, please email the festival director or call 703-402-8338.
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