Info for Participants

 

Application Info
4 easy steps:

1. Read basic info
2. Choose your category/categories
3. Calculate fees
4. Fill out application

 

Step 1: Read Basic Info

• Applications:

  • You must include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
  • It must be complete or it will be returned to you
  • Application deadlines are strictly enforced.
  • Re-submissions must be complete by application deadlines.
  • Sorry, there will be no exceptions.
    

• Booths:

  • No sharing -- only one booth per organization, business, or craftsperson.
  • Most spaces are 10 x 10 feet except for food booths.
  • Booths are in [empty] parking spaces with the back of the booths against the curb.
    

• Hardware & Rentals:

  • We provide only the “real estate” -- space on the pavement.
  • You bring everything else (tents, chairs, etc)
  • SAA does not do rentals
    

• Electricity:

  • It is *not* at every space -- mostly for performers and mostly available in Albany (lower/west Solano)
  • If you need it -- apply before July 1, $25 fee
    

• Insurance:

  • Who needs it -- Applicants with hazardous equipment (food booths, rides, games, etc.)
  • Submit a certificate of additional insured with your application
  • "Additional insured" names: Solano Avenue Association and its Executive Director
  • Policy value: no less than one million US dollars
    

• Sellers Permits:

  • Who needs it -- you do if you are selling anything
  • Include your valid CA Sellers Permit number or an exemption with your application
  • Get one by contacting the California State Board of Equalization
  • You are responsible for collecting and reporting all sales tax
    

• Fees:

  • Submit all fees with your application, postmarked by deadline (Monday after a weekend is OK)
  • No refunds for cancellations after August 1

• Late Registration:

  • See the deadlines for each category in the schedule below
    • Money order required for booth fee
    • Adjustments can be made for some non-profit and Government agencies.
  • Ask before applying, categories may be closed
  • Deadlines are strictly enforced. Once the Maps and Participant registration list is turned in to the City of Albany, the City of Berkeley, and our Insurance Carrier (three weeks before the event) we can not make additions or adjustments of any kind.
    

• Waiting List:

  • If space is available late registrants will be accepted in order of date/time application was received.
  • We will contact you if space opens up.
  • Artists/Crafters or Entertainers -- no late registration if you never participated before (you must have gone through the review process, usually in late June)
    

• Applications:

  (This is so important we are noting it twice)
  • Deadlines are strictly enforced.
  • Include all required insurance, permits and fees with your application.
  • Incomplete applications will be returned to sender without additional contact.
  • Re-submissions must be accepted by application deadlines.
  • All applications must include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
    
  • Sorry, no exceptions.

Step 2: Choose your category/categories

• Arts & Crafts Vendors
• Commercial Vendors
• Food vendors
• Non-profit and Government Organizations
• Entertainers (separate page) (download)
• Parade

Arts & Crafts Vendor (download)

Original, hand-crafted work in any media by the artist who is present.

• Unacceptable are mass-manufactured items, kits, imports, commercial reproductions (except your own cards), foods, or taped music. If you are a designer who has objects manufactured, apply as a commercial vendor.
• Submit 3 photographs of your work, 1 of you in process of making your item, and one of your booth. The photos must be representative of that which is to be sold in your booth. Photos will be used to determine if work juried is the same as that which is in your booth. Photos should be in focus with a solid background. Put your name and address on the back of each. They will be returned after the event. Some may be used in the media for publicity or put on the SAA website.
• Approximately 140 arts & crafts booths in one location. Although we have commercial booths, they are placed elsewhere & cost a lot more
• Jury consists of the SAA Board of Directors. Results of the jurying will be E-mailed as soon as available. Please do not call for results. Your canceled booth fee check, not the jury check, means you are accepted.
• Original artists / crafters must be present to display their work. No agents or representatives.
• Electricity is EXTREMELY LIMITED in the Arts and Crafts section of the Solano Avenue Stroll.
• With your application: We require a copy of your
  • Sellers Permit (see Basic Info above);
  • 3 photographs of your work
  • 2 self-addressed stamped envelopes
    (one large enough to return your photos)
  • Checks for fees (see fees below)
    • Booth fee
    • Jury fee (separate check)
    • Electricity Fee (if requested, very limited availability)
  • Incomplete applications will be returned to sender without additional contact. Re-submissions must be accepted by application deadlines. There will be absolutely no exceptions. All applications must include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Commercial Vendors (download)

Goods or services offered may not be competitive with any existing member business of the Solano Avenue Merchants Association, producers of the Solano Avenue Stroll.

Sales and Service
Commercial sales or services.

• With your application: We require a copy of your
  • Sellers Permit (see Basic Info above);
  • A self-addressed stamped envelope
  • Incomplete applications will be returned to sender without additional contact. Re-submissions must be accepted by application deadlines. There will be absolutely no exceptions. All applications must include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Art Activity
Commercial hands-on-activity such as palm or tarot card reading, or art projects.

• With your application: We require a copy of your
  • Sellers Permit (see Basic Info above);
  • A self-addressed stamped envelope
  • Incomplete applications will be returned to sender without additional contact. Re-submissions must be accepted by application deadlines. There will be absolutely no exceptions. All applications must include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Activity
Commercial activities such as inflatables, rides, petting zoos, slides, etc.

• With your application -- We require a copy of your
• Insurance Policy (see Basic Info above)
• A self-addressed stamped envelope
• Incomplete applications will be returned to sender without additional contact. Re-submissions must be accepted by application deadlines. There will be absolutely no exceptions. All applications must include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Food Service (Commercial and Non-profit) (download)

Food preparation is sales or give-a-way of food prepared on or off site for immediate consumption.
Commercially Pre-Packaged Food or Sampling: Items must be pre-packaged, and not for immediate consumption, except sampling.

• No sales of alcohol. No Styrofoam allowed in Albany and Berkeley. No sales of any goods other than food or drink. No plastic utensils – compostables only.
• THIS IS THE CONFUSING PART so please read: One half of the Solano Avenue Stroll is in Berkeley, The other half is in Albany - two different cities, both with individual guidelines and applications. So there are four food vendor license possibilities:
  1. Berkeley food vendor - prepackaged food
  2. Berkeley food vendor - food preparation
  3. Albany food vendor - prepackaged food
  4. Albany food vendor - food preparation
• The Solano Avenue Association will pay for your food permit fees.
  • In Albany you will be under the jurisdiction of the Alameda County Health Department
  • In Berkeley you will be under the jurisdiction of the City of Berkeley Health and Human Services
  • What city will you be in? Do you have preference? If so, please indicate your preferred location on your Stroll application. Both cities / both the Albany and Berkeley ends of the Avenue are great for the food vendors, so we leave the decision up to you!
  • Return Health Department forms to the SAA with this application. The Health Department(s) have strict standards for temporary food service. Detailed information is available with these links:
    • Alameda County Health Department (Albany Participants)
    • City of Berkeley Health and Human Services (Berkeley Participants)
• With your application -- We require a copy of your
  • Sellers Permit (see Basic Info above)
  • Insurance Policy (see Basic Info above)
  • Health Department forms
  • A self-addressed stamped envelope
  • Incomplete applications will be returned to sender without additional contact. Re-submissions must be accepted by application deadlines. There will be absolutely no exceptions. All applications must include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Nonprofit and Government Organizations (download)

Any organization that can provide proof of nonprofit status or pending status at the time of application; including candidates running for election / re-election for the current voting year.

(If you plan on serving food (including but not limited to bottled water, etc. please see food service information above.)

Nonprofit: Food
Sales or give-a-way of food prepared on or off site for immediate consumption.

• Booth must be staffed and produced by the organization. No outside food vendors will be allowed to have a booth as a representative for the organization.
• All rules for Commercial Food Vendors apply.

Nonprofit: Information and/or Fundraising
Distribution and/or collection of information only - no sales of any kind

• You may raise money by donation, raffles, memberships and/or materials donated to you.
• You may sell or give away promotional materials about your organization.
• You must charge, report and pay sales tax for goods sold unless you submit an exemption.
• Keep literature distribution and clipboard activity behind your table.
• If you are hosting a game booth, no cash prizes or live animals are allowed. Small toys, balloons and other prizes are acceptable. We encourage you to have game booths rather than sell products.

Parade (download)

• The parade “kicks-off” the Solano Avenue Stroll at 10AM and has been a key feature of the event since it’s inception in 1974. It is down-hill and goes the full length of Solano Avenue (one mile) and is a complete blast and we encourage you to participate.
• Due to insurance limitations, we can not accept animals into the parade other than domestic pets such as dogs and cats.
• Parade limits are 50 people and /or two vehicles.
• Deadline for entries are listed below, no same-day registration.
• Parade fees are listed below

 

Step 3: Calculate your Fees

FEES 2008

(Please note that the Solano Avenue Association has not raised it's fees since 2004.)

You must apply by July 1, or as noted by August 1.

Applicants See Definitions Above	Fees (checks ok)	Deadline	Late: July 2-August 1 (Money Orders only)
Arts & Crafts Vendor	$140 + $10 Jury, separate checks	June 15	Late: June 15-August 1 $210 (money order) + $10 Jury, separate check
Solano Avenue Business*	Dues	Deadline	Late
Individual	$40	July 1	not an option
Organization	$70
Property Owner	$135
Business: 1-5 workers	$135
Business: 6-9 workers	$195
Business: 10+ workers	$310
Commercial Vendor*/**	Fees	Deadline	Late: July 2-August 1
Prepackaged food	$175*	July 1	not an option
Food	$500*		not an option
Art Activity	$150		$225 (money order)
Activity	$325		$450 (money order)
Sales/Services/Info	$350		$475 (money order)
Non-Profit Organizations**	Fees	Deadline	Late: July 2-August 1
Food	$250*	July 1	not an option
Information/Fundraising	$100		$150 (money order)
Parade	Fees	Deadline	Late: July 2-August 1
Non-SAA Members	$50	July 1	$100 (money order)
Vehicles (Show parking only - not in parade)	Fees	Deadline	Late: July 2-August 1
Non-commercial	$25	July 1	$50
Commercial	$50		$475 (money order)
OTHER FEES
** Minimal electricity is available in lower Albany for $25 (not for crafts or vehicles).

Step 4: Application

Please be sure you have all the info above to fill out the application:

 

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Copyright SAA, 2001-2009
Updated 1/2010

Phone 510/527-5358
Mail (mail only, the SAA office is not located here):
Solano Avenue Association, 1563 Solano Ave. PMB#101, Berkeley, CA 94707

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