When is Village Venture held?

Village Venture is held every year on the fourth Saturday in October, in 2012 it will be October 27th.

I was in last year's show, do I still need to mail you a stamped addressed envelope?

No, you will automatically be mailed an application if you were in the previous year's Village Venture, however, once we have mailed out the applications on June 1st, it is up to USPS to deliver them. If you have not received your application form by June 15th, please download a form from the web site and use that. We do not mail out a second application form. Please keep us informed of any address changes.
For example, if you were in Village Venture in 2011, you will automatically be mailed a form for 2012. However, if you were in Village Venture in 2010 and missed 2011, you have to mail us a stamped addressed envelope- see below.

How do I get an application for Village Venture if I was not in the previous year's show?

To receive an application for Village Venture, you will need to mail to us a self addressed $1 stamped envelope:-

Village Venture
Claremont Chamber of Commerce
205 Yale Ave., Claremont, CA 91711

When are applications mailed?

Applications are mailed on June 1st, each year.

When can I download an application from your web site?

Applications will be available for download from June 8, each year. Once we are full the application will be removed from the web site.

To receive an application for Village Venture, you will need to mail to us a self addressed $1 stamped envelope :-

Village Venture
Claremont Chamber of Commerce
205 Yale Ave., Claremont, CA 91711

When is the closing date?

Each year, all applications must be postmarked by June 30th to avoid a late fee. Your paid completed application packet must be received at the Chamber Office. A $50 LATE FEE will apply for applications received or postmarked after JUNE 30TH. 

How much does a booth cost?

The cost of a booth in 2011 was $195.

For Claremont Chamber of Commerce Members - $145.

Your paid completed application packet must be received at the Chamber Office. A $50 LATE FEE will apply for applications received or postmarked after JUNE 30TH.

How much does a food booth cost ?

The cost of a food booth in 2011 was $425.

For Claremont Chamber of Commerce Members - $375.

Your paid completed application packet must be received at the Chamber Office. A $50 LATE FEE will apply for applications received or postmarked after JUNE 30TH.

Can I pay by credit card for my booth?

No, all applications must be received with payment in either cash, check or money order format.

Who do I make my check payable to?

Please make all checks payable to:
The Claremont Chamber of Commerce

What happens if my check bounces?

A $25 charge will be assessed for any returned checks.

I have been a vendor at Village Venture for many years and I cannot make it this year, what happens to my space?

If possible, vendors will be assigned the same space as in previous years, however, please understand that previous participation does not ensure a space in each year's Village Venture, nor is the same location guaranteed. If you were in the previous year's event and cannot make it for this present year, your space will be assigned to another vendor.

How are vendors chosen to be in Village Venture?

All applications received are judged by our jury. Each year we have a collection of judges, whose decision is final. Vendors applying to sell arts or crafts must submit (with the application) five 4"x 6" photographs/photocopies that best represents their current work - not the booth set up - be sure to put a description and price on the reverse side of each photograph. You can also send one 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper with color prints of 5 of your items.

Do not send photographs in folders. Do not include samples.

I do not make the arts and crafts that I sell, can I still apply for Village Venture?

Yes, you can apply, however, you will be classed as a business. Limited space available. Priority given to Claremont Chamber of Commerce Members. Sales may be made and/or information may be distributed from these booths.

Do Claremont Chamber of Commerce Members receive a discount on booth space?

Yes, they do.
Join the Claremont Chamber of Commerce here!

I am a Village Merchant, can I have the booth right in front of my store?

Village merchants who submit an application for Village Venture before the closing date of June 30th,  will be assigned a space as close as possible to their business front. Village Venture is an opportunity for you to showcase items that are normally sold in your stores. Your paid completed application packet must be received at the Chamber Office. A $50 LATE FEE will apply for applications received or postmarked after JUNE 30TH.

How big is the vendor booth space?

Only the street space is provided 12' wide, along the curb and 10' deep, out into the street. Vendors bring all of their own supplies, tables, chairs, canopies etc. You must also have a type 2A fire extinguisher in your booth.

YOU MUST STAY WITHIN YOUR ASSIGNED SPACE.

Is it possible to share an Arts & Crafts booth?

Yes, it is, however, you will be charged an additional processing fee of $100 for sharing, and you BOTH must submit photos of your work and both provide your own valid State Board of Equalization Permit Number

What happens to my photos when I send in my application?

Your photos are held for the jury to view until after Village Venture and will be returned to you if you sent us a self addressed, $1 stamped envelope for return of your photos. You can send color photocopies/prints if you do not wish their return.

What happens to my check when I send in my application?

Your check is held with your application until it is confirmed that you have been accepted for Village Venture. Each year, notifications of acceptance or non-acceptance will be mailed out August 31. Your check will be cashed soon after that date.

What is the policy on refunds?

Full refunds will be given to entries that are not accepted, however, ONCE ACCEPTED, there is no refund.

When is set up and take down time?

The streets are closed from 6:30am - 5:30pm. Set up time begins at 6:30am. Please arrive well before 8:30am - ALL vehicles must be removed from the event area by that time and NONE will be allowed within the barricades - if you are late you will have to pull over, unload and carry your items to your booth.

Take down begins at 5:00pm and all goods and vehicles must be off the streets by 6:00pm.

You must have your Entry Permit for street access & to re-enter at the end of the event 

What rules and policies must I adhere to on the day of the event as an Arts & Crafts Vendor?

Only display and have available for sale items:-

• you sent photographs of with your application
• that are for family viewing, this does not preclude nude work
• that are handmade

Do not obstruct any other exhibitors' booths/space

Work is not to be mass produced, manufactured and/or imported

Please understand you may be removed from the event:-

• if you do not adhere to the above rules 
• your personal conduct is deemed inappropriate behavior
• your work is of lesser quality or differing from the entry photos submitted

I'd like to be a Food Vendor, what do I need to do?

• Call the office or e-mail marlene(at)claremontchamber.org with Food Vendor in the subject line to let us know what type of food you plan to sell on the day
• Obtain a one-day health permit
• Adhere to ALL Health Department regulations.

Each vendor must provide space within their booth for the following items

• Water, soap & towels for hand washing
• A bucket to catch all waste water
• Be responsible for taking out ALL liquid waste with you after the event

 The Claremont Chamber will supply one, 3-compartment sink with hot and cold running water for the use of all food vendors.

NOTE – this does not eliminate any vendors from his/her requirements as listed above

Why and how many envelopes do I have to mail with my application?

EVERY application MUST include ONE 9" x 6" self sealing envelope - stamped with $1:00 and self addressed. This is to return to you YOUR important information once you have been accepted into Village Venture and to return to you all of your information if you are not accepted.

The only vendors who should include a second 9" x 6" self sealing envelope - stamped with $1:00 and self addressed, are those Arts & Crafts vendors who would like their photo submissions returned to them. Please note, you can send photocopied or printed versions of your work and not necessarily photographs. Photos will be returned in these after Village Venture has taken place. If no second envelope is mailed to us with application, all photos will be discarded.

State Board and Health Permit Information

How do I get a State Board of Equalization Permit Number?

You must obtain a seller's permit if you

• Are engaged in business in California
• Intend to sell or lease tangible personal property that would ordinarily be subject to sales tax if sold at retail (this includes wholesalers, manufactures and retailers.)
• Will make sales for a temporary period, normally lasting no longer than 30 days at one or more locations (for example, fireworks booth, Christmas tree lots, garage sale)

You can go to their web site http://www.boe.ca.gov/index.htm for more information or go to their office:
1521 West Cameron Ave., Ste. 300
West Covina, CA 91790-2738
P.O. Box 1500
West Covina, CA 91793-1500
(626) 480-7200
FAX (626) 480-7260
Directions

I'd like to be a Food Vendor, what do I need to do?

• Call the Chamber office, 909-621-1681 and ask for Marlene, to let us know what type of food you plan to sell on the day
• Obtain a one-day health permit
• Adhere to ALL Health Department regulations.

Each vendor must provide space within their booth for the following items

• Water, soap & towels for hand washing
• A bucket to catch all waste water
• Be responsible for taking out ALL liquid waste with you after the event

 The Claremont Chamber will supply one, 3-compartment sink with hot and cold running water for the use of all food vendors.

NOTE – this does not eliminate any vendors from his/her requirements as listed above