Artisan Showcase Guidelines
First Fridays take place on the first Friday of every month and draw thousands of Elkhart County residents and visitors to Downtown Goshen for extended business hours, live entertainment, themed activities, and a lively, walkable street experience. These events create an ideal environment for artists and makers to share their work with an audience that values creativity, local talent, and handmade goods.
The Artisan Showcase is a key part of the First Friday experience, adding culture and originality to the Downtown Goshen sector. Participating artisans gain high-visibility exposure, sales opportunities, and the chance to build face-to-face relationships with the community. First Fridays are especially impactful for artists seeking to showcase new work, expand their audience, and enhance their name recognition within the Michiana area.
We welcome applications from artists and makers working in a wide range of mediums, including fine art, craft, design, and handmade goods. Whether you’re an emerging maker or an established artisan, First Fridays offers the chance to showcase your work, tell your story, and be part of Goshen’s creative energy!
Artisan Showcase Guidelines
Please review the information below before applying to participate.
- Application. All artisans must apply for approval. Please note that submitting your application does not automatically guarantee that you will be accepted as an artisan at First Fridays. The deadline to apply is two weeks before the desired event.
- Approval. All artisans will be notified of their approval or denial within days of applying. This showcase is reserved for independent makers, artists, and curators. First Fridays will not accept direct sales programs, corporations, or mass-produced goods vendors.
- Payment. Each vendor will be invoiced for the date/s that they are approved and selected. These invoices must be paid in full before they can participate in the event. Payment is due BEFORE the event, or vendor space will be forfeited.
- Hold Harmless. You must Digitally Sign the Hold Harmless Agreement as part of your application.
- Family-Friendly. First Fridays is a family-friendly event. All items featuring inappropriate, politically charged, or lewd imagery and language will be strictly prohibited. We reserve the right to remove any vendor that does not comply. First Fridays is dedicated to maintaining a positive and welcoming environment for all patrons, investors, volunteers, staff, and other vendors. Anyone exhibiting misconduct will be asked to leave without a refund.
- Non-Proselytizing Policy.
Downtown Goshen, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) organization and, as such, is prohibited from endorsing specific religious or political views. First Fridays cannot allow booths or displays designed for the purpose of religious proselytization or political campaigns at its events. Organizations participating in the Not-for-Profit showcase must agree not to encourage event attendees to adhere to or convert to a particular faith, church, or political persuasion, nor will they distribute messaging designed to induce conversion to a specific faith, support for a candidate, or a political party.
- Weather, Cancellations, and Attendance Policy. First Fridays is a RAIN or SHINE event. Refunds will not be issued for weather-related cancellations. Vendors who are consistently late or have more than 3 last-minute absences may not be asked to return for the remainder of the season and will forfeit their vendor space and vendor fees. Vendors unable to attend must notify the vendor coordinator no later than 3 days prior to the event of their absence. Exceptions will be made for emergencies.
- Permits and Licenses. All home-based food vendors must have all permits and licenses applicable to their businesses on-site.
Artisan Showcase Fees
First Fridays will feature a limited number of artisans at our events in May – November 2026. Pending approval, vendor fees are priced per event. All fees must be paid prior to the event. Please note that applications for Rhythm and Hues and the Holiday Market are separate.
Artisan Vendor Fee: $50 per event day
Refund Policy
First Fridays events are rain or shine events. We will not issue refunds for weather cancellations.
Artisans may submit a request for a refund (minus an admin fee) if they submit a cancellation notification via email at least 30 days before the event. We will not issue refunds for cancellations less than 30 days before the event.
Location / Equipment
First Fridays provides vendors with a designated 10’ x 10’ space. Artisans must provide and set up their own equipment (tent, tables, chairs, etc). All tents must be secured with weights – stakes are strictly prohibited. Any vendors using more than their allotted 10’ x 10’ space will be asked to downsize their display or may be subject to an additional fee. Please do not bring a tent larger than 10’ x 10’.
Electrical Access
First Fridays does not provide on-site electrical access or Wi-Fi.
Non-Compete Policy
First Fridays, generally, will not approve applications for artisans who compete directly with a downtown business.
Questions
Contact us via email or phone (574) 203-2034 with any questions.
What can I sell?
PERISHABLE GOODS:
• Vegetables grown by the seller from seeds, seedlings, or sets.
• Fruits, berries, or nuts grown on trees, bushes, or vines on the seller’s farm.
• Plants grown by the seller.
• Honey produced by the seller’s bees.
• Fresh baked goods must be made from scratch by the seller.
• Fresh cut flowers grown on the seller’s farm.
• Pet food and treats made from scratch by the seller.
BATH & BODY PRODUCTS:
• Bath and body products ideally incorporate local and sustainable materials.
• Your products MUST be properly labeled.
ARTS & CRAFTS:
• You must create/make the product you are selling.
• You cannot resell items (i.e., jewelry, storage containers, etc.)
HOME-BASED PREPARED FOOD PRODUCTS:
• All foods must be prepared in a kitchen certified by the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, or USDA, or in your own kitchen as permitted by the Elkhart County Health Department.
• Your food MUST be properly labeled.
• Home-based vendors must obtain a food handler certificate from a certificate issuer accredited by the American National Standards Institute. This includes ServSafe Food Handler Training, which can be completed online.
PET FOOD & TREATS:
• All Pet Food & Treats must meet the regulations and requirements outlined by the Indiana Department of Agriculture Plant Food, Feed & Grain Division.
• Your products MUST be properly labeled.
