SterlingFest celebrates the best of Sterling

THAT SIMPLY MUST INCLUDE YOU!

SterlingFest celebrates the best of Sterling: YOU!

SterlingFest introduces the people of Loudoun County to the best businesses, restaurants, organizations, and local artisans from Sterling, VA. Better yet, proceeds from SterlingFest support The Sterling Foundation. By becoming a vendor at SterlingFest, you’re not only taking advantage of an excellent opportunity to market directly to local clientele, you’re also showing how much you care about your community. Register today either by mail or online!

As a SterlingFest vendor, you’ll

  • interact directly with your target market
  • make a difference in your community
  • and create positive lasting impressions

It’s a win-win-win!

Vendor Prices

Early Bird Fee

  • Businesses • $150
  • Food Vendor • $150
  • Direct Sales/Home-Based Vendor • $100
  • Craft Vendor • $70
  • Non-Profit (Fundraising) • $70
  • Non-Profit (Not Fundraising) • $35
All vendors receive a 10’x10′ space, as assigned by SterlingFest staff. Tables can be rented for only $5.00, or you’re welcome to bring your own.

Register by Mail

If you prefer to register by mailing in your application, please download, print, and fill out the form by clicking the button below.

Be sure to include a check made payable to SterlingFest, with the appropriate amount for your vendor type. Prices are listed to the left.

You can mail your completed form and check to:
SterlingFest
PO Box 1036
Sterling, VA 20167

After receiving your registration form, a member of SterlingFest staff will reach out to you to confirm and provide additional details. Thank you for your interest in being part of SterlingFest 2023!

Details & Important Info

Vendor Rules

  • Payment must accompany your application to be seriously considered for our event.
  • Applications will be accepted thru September 1st After that date, applications will be subject to a late fee of $30.
  • No refunds are given after Sept 1st
  • Returned checks incur a $30 fee.
  • All confirmation notices of assigned vendor spaces will be delivered by Sept 10th
  • This is an outdoor event and will be held rain or shine, so plan accordingly.
  • Spaces are 10’x10′, are limited, and will be assigned by SterlingFest staff.
  • There is no access to electricity. Generators are only permitted in certain areas and must have prior approval.
  • Vendors are required to provide tables, chairs and canopies, with adequate weights to secure canopies.
  • Vendors must maintain adequate staff at the booth during the entire show.
  • Vendors must conduct all business within their assigned space.
  • Only one of each direct-sale/home-based company will be allowed, so sign up early!
  • Vendors conducting sales are responsible for collecting Virginia sales tax and use taxes on all transactions.
  • Food vendors are required to have all necessary permits and health inspections.
  • No shows, late arrivals, and those who leave early will not be invited back.
  • Participation is at your own risk and you acknowledge that the Sterling Foundation will not be held liable or responsible for any loss, injury, or incident.
  • All vendors must agree to abide by these rules, respect decisions made by the SterlingFest & Sterling Foundation staff, and heed instructions given on the day of the event.
  • These rules are to ensure a safe and enjoyable event for all!
Check In
Check in with the event staff at the information booth before unloading. Load in time is typically 8:00-10:00 AM, with vehicle removal from the site by 10:00 AM. Volunteers, in orange shirts, will help direct you. Due to safety concerns vendors cannot leave early. Vendors must wait until 5pm to pack up, and wait until 5:15pm to load their vehicles. Attempts to leave early create a safety hazard and could prevent one from being invited back to future events.
Spaces

All vendor spaces are approximately 10’x10’. This is an outdoor event, so be prepared for all kinds of weather. Bring a canopy with weights. Remember to bring tables, chairs, tablecloth, business cards, cash, business sign and whatever supplies you need for your booth.
There is NO electricity or wi-fi. Generators must have prior approval and will be restricted to certain areas. Look for a separate email with vendor space assignments and map of the festival grounds.

Conduct
Activities must be restricted to your assigned space; do not solicit, approach festival attendees, or distribute literature outside of your assigned space. Booths should be manned at all times with an emphasis on service and courtesy. Wear appropriate clothing; no cut off shirts or pants, no bare feet and no obscene or inflammatory writings on clothing or in booths. There is no smoking in the vendor or food booths. Vendors will be allowed to sell only the types of items listed on their application form.
Food & Drink

Food and drink is available for purchase in the upper parking lot by the community center. In past years we’ve been pleased to offer a Beer Garden featuring local craft breweries, as well as cuisine from around the world: Central/South American, West/East Asian, Caribbean, as well as BBQ, seafood, and so much more. We also had cookies and ice cream, coffee, tea and pastries. Eat breakfast and lunch with us, then pick up dinner to go!

Health Department
Because our event is open to the general public, any sort of food preparation or service will require a temporary food permit. This includes samples. Any vendors who do not have a permit will be unable to serve samples or sell prepared food at the event.

The Health Department will be present at our event to be sure all are within compliance. Please contact Tamara Shellenberger at the Loudoun County Health Dept within 30 days of our event to get your permit: 703-777-0642 or [email protected]

Sales Tax
The event coordinator is required to file with the Commissioner of the Revenue at least fourteen (14) days prior to the proposed start of SterlingFest, providing a list of all vendors to whom a space, booth, or other area has been leased or assigned for the purpose of operating a temporary business or sales activity during this Special Event. Each Special Event Itinerant Vendor has the responsibility for collecting Virginia sales and use taxes on all transactions. Sales tax forms may be obtained from the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office. (Ord. 04-13. Passed 10-12-04.) Please let us know well ahead of time if you need a copy.
Promotion, Advertising & Social Media

Please like us on facebook! We’d love to see your fond memories or photos of past SterlingFests on our Facebook page. Tell us about your business or organization and how you plan to participate in the festivities. Tag us in posts on your page so we can help spread the word. Be sure to follow us on Instagram. Let’s engage with each other on social media and with our wider Sterling community to ensure SterlingFest is the best one yet!

Raffle Donations
Each SterlingFest we host a raffle of all sorts of unique and special items to help raise money for the Sterling Foundation and other local Sterling organizations. If you would like to donate an item for our afternoon raffle, please let us know so we can arrange pickup. This is strictly optional, but greatly appreciated!
Directions
SterlingFest is held around the Sterling Community Center, located at 120 Enterprise St, Sterling, VA 20164. IMPORTANT NOTE: Parts of Sterling Blvd will be inaccessible. Large portions of Sterling Blvd will be closed off for our community parade on the morning of SterlingFest. Using GPS could take you through the parade route and into stopped traffic, so please follow our directions. Click here to look at the area on Google Maps.

From Rt 28: Take Rt 28 North past Dulles Airport to the Sterling Blvd/VA-846 East exit. Continue on Sterling Blvd for 1.2miles, then turn right onto E Maple Ave, and left onto Enterprise St. Follow Enterprise to the SterlingFest blockade. Get directions at the information booth to your assigned space.

From Herndon Parkway From Herndon Parkway, turn North onto Crestview Drive. Crestview Drive shortly becomes Lincoln Ave. Turn Left onto E Maple Ave. When that road ends, turn Left. Shortly, after passing Food Lion, turn Right onto Enterprise St. Approach the SterlingFest blockade and ask for directions at the information booth to your assigned space.

From Rt 7: Take Route 7/Leesburg Pike to Dranesville Rd. Turn onto Dranesville, then turn right onto Sugarland Rd. Take a left onto Church Rd, follow it around the curves, then turn left onto Lincoln Rd, into the neighborhood. Take the 2nd right onto N Fillmore Ave. It will end at E Holly, then turn left. Turn right onto Enterprise St. Follow Enterprise to the SterlingFest blockade. Get directions at the information booth to your assigned space.

Parking

You must off load and remove your car completely from the festival area by 10:00 AM. Parking is along Commerce Street and at the nearby shopping center. Handicap Parking TBD, contact us at [email protected] for more inf.

Contact Info • In case of Emergency
If something comes up that prevents you from attending the show, please let us know as soon as possible.
Vendor Chairwoman Cheryl Villalobos • 703-430-9472 • [email protected]
SterlingFest Chairwoman Rebecca Fanning • 703 887-2249 • [email protected]
SterlingFest Goal
To promote pride and provide a quality family event for the citizens residing in Sterling and the surrounding area. An annual event, SterlingFest features entertainment, refreshments, professional & volunteer booths, games & activities for children, and handmade crafts. SterlingFest is hosted by The Sterling Foundation, Sterling Playmakers, The Sterling Advisory Board, and the Loudoun County Parks and Recreation Services. In addition to our event, the Annual Sterling Park Columbus Day Parade, hosted by the Knights of Columbus and Loudoun Elk Lodge 2406, will head down Sterling Boulevard at 10:00 AM, the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company Department will host their annual open house at the station next door to SterlingFest, and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office will hold their open house on Commerce St.

Thank you for being part of SterlingFest 2023!

Check out all the wonderful vendors who helped make SterlingFest 2023 such a success.