SOAM Kid Biz Artisan Application

Event: 2025 Southcoast Open Air Market (SOAM)

Location: Chick Marchand Memorial Park

100 Newhill Avenue Somerset, MA 02726

Time: 10am-2pm

Handmade Definition for Artisan Vendors

Handmade products are personally designed, crafted, and assembled by the artisan, showcasing originality, creativity, and skill. These items must primarily be made using the artisan’s own hands, tools, and techniques, with minimal use of pre-made components.

Products manufactured in small batches may qualify if they are fully designed by the artisan and align with their vision and craftsmanship. Mass-produced or commercially manufactured items without significant artisan involvement do not meet this definition.

If your products don’t qualify as handmade, please complete the “Local Business” application. For questions, contact the SOAM team.

Vendor Selection Policy

For SOAM Season 2025, we are prioritizing vendors who specialize in a specific craft or product offering. By focusing on artisans with a clear area of expertise, we celebrate high-quality craftsmanship and help each vendor shine in their chosen field. This approach also creates a more cohesive and enjoyable experience for shoppers.

While we value creativity and versatility, our goal is to feature vendors dedicated to their craft rather than offering a broad variety of unrelated items. If your business aligns with this vision, we’d love to welcome you to our market community!

What You Can Expect From SOAM

1. Marketing & Promotion

• We advertise the market via paid and free channels, including physical signage, sponsored social media, newspaper features, and a bi-monthly email newsletter to 12K+ subscribers.

• Each vendor is showcased in a professionally designed social media post for added exposure.

2. Organized & Stress-Free Vending

• You’ll receive clear setup instructions and booth assignments in advance.

• Our friendly on-site team is available on market day to help with any issues or questions.

3. Curated Community

• Join a thoughtfully selected roster of artisans and makers, attracting loyal shoppers who value handmade and artisanal goods.

Rain Date Policy

The SOAM is a “rain or shine” event, with weather closures determined solely at the discretion of SOAM. While we strive to make reasonable decisions, please note that weather in New England can change rapidly. Market dates will only be canceled under exceptional circumstances, such as a forecast predicting 100% rain during market hours within 24 hours of the start time.

Decisions will be made by Friday morning prior to the market.

Volunteer Opportunities

SOAM is officially a Non Profit as of July 2023 - EIN: 93-1993655. Even before that IRS designation, we have run our events with a very small but dedicated volunteer team. However, we are always looking for an extra set of hands to help with the physical nature of running the markets. If you or your partner/friend/spouse/family member, would like to help out with the setup or breakdown hours of the market, please check off the box below and we will get in touch with you. Additionally, if you have a Teenager in need of fulfilling Volunteer Hours, we have plenty of tasks they could help with at the market.

SOAM Guidelines and Policies

Pricing

• Artisan 10x10 Spot: $100

• Food 10x10 Spot: $100

• Food Truck 20x10 Spot: $150

Kid Biz Spots are limited but FREE thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Somerset Federal Credit Union.

Deposits

A $50 deposit is required upon acceptance to reserve your date. The deposit is applied to your booth fee and is non-refundable.

Vendor Rotation & Curation

To keep our market fresh, we rotate artisan vendors—especially those offering popular or limited-quantity items. This means you may not be accepted for every date or all products.

You are only permitted to sell the specific products approved in your application. We reserve the right to approve or deny individual products to maintain a curated market experience. If we are not accepting you for all the items listed on your application, you will be notified as to which items are approved prior to your acceptance email being sent out; any items not approved may not be sold without prior written permission from SOAM.

Cancellations & Refunds

Notify SOAM via email at least 14 days before your market date if you need to cancel.

No-Show Policy

Vendors must notify SOAM if unable to attend. A no-show without any prior communication will result in forfeited future participation.

Tents & Displays

Vendors must provide a secured 10x10 white tent with 30-pound weights per leg (120 pounds total). Business signage, tablecloths, and tidy displays are required. Items must stay within the tent space unless approved.

Booth Sharing

Booth sharing is prohibited without prior SOAM approval.

Tax ID & Regulations

Vendors must obtain and display a Massachusetts Tax ID Certificate. Vendors are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations.

Market Conduct

• Disruptive or rude behavior by vendors or helpers will not be tolerated.

• Smoking is prohibited on market premises.

• SOAM may remove products deemed offensive, unsafe, or inappropriate.

• Vendors must address safety concerns immediately or risk termination.

SOAM reserves the right to add or amend any reasonable rules and regulations at any time during and prior to the operation of the market.

Indemnification:

Upon submitting this application, Vendors agree to indemnify and hold harmless SOAM, and their officers, agents and employees from and against all liabilities, loss, injuries, damages, and claims arising out of or related in any way to Vendor's participation in SOAM.

For questions, contact the SOAM team.

SOAM is market for Makers founded by Makers. We celebrate all things local!

We champion the creators, the growers, the doers, and the entrepreneurial spirit. 

We are the SOAMily (SOAM+Family). We value community over competition. We are here to lift each other up.  We send out positive vibes to each other and our customers. We use our creations to bridge a connection between ourselves and others. We are moving the local Maker's economy forward. We are stronger when we do this together. Thank you for applying.