INFORMATION FOR ATTENDEES
Who/what/where/when/why? A Festival of Oddities is Mid-Michigan’s favorite oddities festival, a celebration of all things macabre. The festival’s home is TBD for 2027. The FOO is traditionally held on the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Come kick off spooky season with a bang!
Does it cost to attend the festival? To be determined, depending on location. Our goal is to keep general admission free, but their may be attractions or areas that charge a fee for entry.
Where should I park? TBD
Where should I stay? TBD
Where should I eat? At the festival, of course! But outside festival hours, there are likely going to be a number of wonderful places to eat and shop and explore…we just don’t know what they are yet!
What should I wear? Whatever you’re comfortable in! If you’ve got a great spooky costume you’re dying to show off, we’d love to see it! We love our character guests! If you’d rather wear shorts and a tank top to avoid melting to death, that’s cool, too. Everyone is welcome!
Is the festival family friendly? We think so. In the end, that’s a decision every family has to make for themselves. This is an oddities festival- there will be people in “scary” costumes, macabre/gory items on display as decor and for sale. Whereas one person might feel comfortable bringing their toddler, their grandma, and all of their friends, another may find the scene a bit too “much.” If it’s not your vibe, that’s okay. We’re not for everyone. While children are more than welcome and encouraged to attend (with adult supervision, of course), this is not an event specifically geared towards children. Again, it’s an oddities festival.
Is the festival pet friendly? TBD, depending on the rules at our new location. Please keep in mind that there is a lot going on- people everywhere, loud noises, performers, folks in costume. If your pet does not do well in high-stress situations, please leave them at home.
What if I need help? If you find yourself in need of assistance during the festival, please visit the welcome tent. If you have lost or found an item, please turn it in to the welcome tent. Once the festival begins, we do not have staff available to answer questions via email or on Facebook.
Should I bring cash or cards? Both! While the majority of our vendors take either cash or card, there may be some who only do one or the other. To be safe, make sure you’ve got both available.
Are you still looking for vendors? The vendor application process for the festival is highly competitive. Please do not email us or message the Facebook page asking if we are accepting vendors. If applications are open, the application will be available under the ‘apply’ tab on this website. DO NOT make arrangements with or payments to any individual who contacts you about available space. If you are not communicating directly through the festival’s email account (festivalofoddities@gmail.com) or Facebook page, then you are talking to a scammer. Unfortunately, we are unable to honor any booth space sold by scammers.
If you have a question that has not been answered above, please contact us at:
festivalofoddities@gmail.com
INFORMATION FOR VENDORS
The 2027 application is available HERE.
Are you vending at our 2027 festival? Please review the below information (most of which was included with your initial application.) If you have additional questions, please contact: festivalofoddities@gmail.com
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 2027 11AM-6PM
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 2027 11AM-4PM
LOCATION TBD
Because we aim to keep things “the same” as much as possible, we are leaving the rules of engagement up that we’ve used for the past several years. Once our new location has been decided, however, some of this information may change.
A Festival of Oddities is a two-day event, and all vendors are required to attend both days.
You will receive an email with a festival map showing your assigned space no later than Thursday, 9/2/27.
We will offer an early set-up option on Friday, 9/3/27 for anyone who would like to get a head-start. Because this venue will be new for all of us in 2027, we will only allow set-up when festival staff/volunteers are on-site. Those times will be scheduled at a later date. While we will have overnight security, anything you leave on the premises will be done AT YOUR OWN RISK. Your booth must be 100% ready before the start of the festival at 11:00 am on Saturday.
Booth space is 10×10. Canopies are not required, but are highly recommended. You must bring your own table and chairs.
There will be security onsite overnight Friday and Saturday, but we still cannot be held responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged items or equipment. You are responsible for your belongings for the entirety of the festival, including whatever you choose to leave unattended overnight.
Tear-down begins when the festival ends. Mid-day tear down of booths will not be permitted. You are expected to attend the festival in its entirety.
You may return as early as you need to on Sunday for day two set-up, but there will not be staff available to assist you before 9:00am.
Booth fees are non-refundable. The festival will be held rain or shine. If your plans change and you are unable to attend the festival, please let us know right away. Any no-shows without notice will be added to our “no fly” list. (Meaning future applications won’t be considered.)
*If we have to cancel the festival for any reason, all fees will be refunded.
Subject to change, depending on what county we land in: All food vendors must submit an “intent to serve” application to the Barry Eaton Health Department at least one week prior to the festival. (If you are exempt from completing this document, please indicate this when submitting your application.) The form can be found at www.barryeatonhealth.org. If you have any questions or need help with this, please contact the Barry Eaton Health Department directly.
We will be doing spot checks throughout the weekend, and reserve the right to ask any vendor to remove unacceptable items from their booth, or, if necessary, leave the event entirely. If this happens, you will not be entitled to a refund. Unacceptable items include:
POLITICAL PROPAGANDA. This does not apply to items that reference human rights- human rights are not political.
AI “ART.” We support real artists, not AI.
MLM (Scentsy, Paparazzi, etc.) This is not an event for MLM vendors, sorry.
If you have a question that has not been answered above, please contact us at:
festivalofoddities@gmail.com
