Spring Arts in the Park - 51st Annual - Blue Ridge, GA 2027

Juried fine arts and handmade crafts festival in Downtown Blue Ridge City Park, hosted by the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association. The Arts in the Park series draws more than 20,000 attendees annually and features over 170 artists, exhibitors, and vendor booths. Artists exhibit and sell original work. The event's structured schedule lists May 23–24, 2027, but the detailed general information contains older 2026 dates and conflicting refund deadlines that applicants should confirm with the organizer.

Apply through Zapplication. Applications require five photos: three of the work, one of the artist in their studio or creating the work, and one booth photo, plus an artist statement/biography. The application does not accept applications from emerging artists. Entries are reviewed, juried, and screened; artists may exhibit only in jury-approved categories. Eligible categories listed are 2D Mixed Media, 3D Mixed Media, Clay, Edibles, Fiber/Leather, Furniture, Garden Art, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, Wood/Woodworking, and Other (specify on the application).

All work must be original, handcrafted, created, and exhibited by the approved artist. Original art must occupy at least 50% of the booth; reproductions must be clearly identified. No buy/sell merchandise, commercially mass-produced products, manufactured jewelry, or kit jewelry. Only committee-approved products may be exhibited or sold.

The non-refundable application/jury fee is $35. Current BRMAA members receive a $35 discount after their application is received and membership verified; the source does not specify which charge receives that discount. Artist booths cost $250 single or $325 double; food booths cost $325 single or $550 double. Two exhibitor admission badges are included; additional badges cost $3 each and must be purchased at booth purchase. Returned checks incur a $50 fee. Fees may be paid via PayPal or check to BRMAA.

Exhibitors must attend the entire festival, keep booths open and staffed during festival hours, and handle their own setup and breakdown. No early breakdown, commercial agents, booth sharing, subletting, or apportioning space. The festival proceeds rain or shine with no rain date. Booths must be ready by 9 am both days, with vehicles, trailers, and debris cleared by then; vehicles must move immediately after unloading to designated parking and may not enter the grounds during festival hours without approval or park at the curb surrounding the park.

Booth space is approximately 12 by 12 feet; tents and contents must fit within the assigned space. Locations are not guaranteed, and artists must prepare for uneven park ground or street setup. Artists supply tents, displays, furniture, equipment, and change. Tent weights of at least 25 pounds are required for each booth setup. Artist booths have no electricity. Special-sale signage is prohibited. Sound amplification is prohibited; musical demonstrations require advance written approval. Pets must remain quiet and not disturb others.

Exhibitors are responsible for collecting and reporting Georgia sales tax, stated as 7%, and any other applicable sales charges. Exhibitors release and hold harmless the association, city, county, and associated parties against participation-related claims; insurance against loss, damage, or injury is at the exhibitor's own expense. Noncompliance can result in removal and affect future participation.

Food sales are limited to approved food vendors. Food applications must list all menu items and prices; approved menus and prices must be posted, all approved items sold throughout the show, and no unapproved additions or last-minute changes are allowed. No alcohol. Food vendors must comply with Georgia health and safety rules, remove securely contained grease/oil, clean their spaces, use provided dumpsters, and bring a 55-gallon public trash can. Food booths include electricity and water; vendors must specify requirements and supply their own heavy-duty cords, power strips, food-grade hoses, and other operating supplies.

Notifications are sent through Zapplication and email; contact details must be current. Jury decisions are final and scores are not released. Failure to respond by the acceptance deadline may revoke an invitation. The structured schedule lists a February 28, 2027 application deadline, April 25, 2027 purchase deadline, and May 23–24, 2027 event dates. EntryThingy gives the application cutoff as 12:00 AM PST. However, the detailed timeline instead lists February 28, 2026 at midnight EST, April 25, 2026 acceptance, May 22, 2026 load-in, and May 23–24, 2026 festival dates. The structured notification date is also March 27, 2026. These inconsistent dates require organizer confirmation.

Refund terms also conflict: the cancellation section uses April 18, 2025 as its cutoff, requires written cancellation by email or letter, and states no refunds for later cancellations or no-shows; the refund section instead states no refunds after April 25, 2026 and a $50 handling fee for refunds before that date. Confirm the applicable cancellation and refund terms before paying.