VENDOR DETAILS

EVENT DETAILS

July 14th, 201211:00am – 4:00pm MN State Fairgrounds

Event Description:

Mehaber is an Amharic word for “gathering” and this year’s EKC Summer Mehaber is a gathering like none other. Over 1,400 folks who love Ethiopia gathered last year.Held at a beautiful, central location in the newly renovated International Bazaar area of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds; it has lots of room and great facilities for a wonderful day. A fantastic group of volunteers have created a festival feel: complete with festival stage celebrating Ethiopian culture, a huge Merkato, crazy-fun Kids’ activities, tasty food choices and a flexible schedule and layout that allows families to experience the day however they choose.

Our location boasts a spectacular outdoor stage to celebrate Ethiopia through music, dance and culture as well as a huge open-air, covered Merkato space to allow our vendors greater creativity within their space.

Location:

Minnesota State Fairgrounds, International Bazaar Area, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Free parking inside the fair grounds. Please check-in at the event vendor registration desk when you arrive.

Vendor Fee:

$40.00

Tables: $8 (8’X30”)You are free to bring your own table and chairs.

Chairs: $2.50

Electricity: $20.00

Up to 5 people at no extra cost. Additional guests will be $5.00 per person.

Vendor positions within the merkato will be on a first come first served basis on the day of the event.

Vendor Booth Details: Merkato vendor booths are huge, 20’X10’ with chain link walls separating each booth (they feel like a small store). Suggested materials to cover the chain link may be hard wood panels, fabric covered panels or cork panels, remember that these panels along with any other props or merchandising supplies must be removable and taken down. Electricity is available for $20.00.

Please consider bringing an interactive activity to draw people to your booth.

General Admission: More information and registration at

Online Registration

$7.00 per person early registration starting now – March

$9.00 per person early registration April - July

$10at the door, kids under 1 year old free

Set-up and Tear Down

Please plan to have all items unloaded and set-up for the day by 10:00a.m. Please leave your vendor area tidy, collapse your table and chairs and bring them to the vendor registration area before you leave.

Food and Beverage

Ethiopian and a selection of “fair”food will be available for sale on-site. You are allowed to bring in a cooler with refreshments for the day.

Sponsorship

The EKC Summer Mehaber is in need of event sponsors ranging from $500 - $3,000. A full package of advertising benefitsis available for sponsors. Please email r call 612-991-8351if you would like more information.

Cultural Sponsor

Are you interested in educating and promoting Ethiopian culture? In return, we can offer you advertising and promotional opportunities. Consider sponsoring a musical/dance performance on the Main Stage or a visual display of Ethiopian art/instruments/clothing/etc. We need your idea’s.

Advertising Opportunities-

  1. $45.00 – Flier insert into the tshirt mailing. Each year we fundraise for the EKC Mehaber by selling a tshirt. The tshirts are mailed out a few weeks before the Mehaber.
  2. Details: Flier must be provided by the advertiser and we must receive it no later than June 15th, 2012. Flier can be a postcard, or 8.5X11 regular weight paper – folded in half – or similar.
  3. $100.00 – $150.00 Event Program Ad Space
  4. Details: High Resolution art, 300dpi, jpeg or pdf only ( black/white) must be received by June 1, 2012.
  5. ½ page: 5X3.875 or 2.375X8 - $100.00
  6. Full page: 5X8 tall - $150.00

Thank you for helping make the 7th Summer Mehaber a success! We couldn’t do it without your participation. Don’t hesitate to contact me with questions.

Best,

Rae Buzzell, Vendor Coordinator

or 612-991-8351