Overview

Robot Dragon Studios blog covering my first experience vending at Andover Fun Fest Craft & Gift Fair in Andover, MN. I reflect on vending for the first time at an event I usually would attend.

Applications, Payments & Planning

So this is a local event to me and I could not figure out how to apply. I emailed someone and never got a response, but did eventually find a post where it said applications open on April 11, 2026. I applied on April 17, 2026 since I forgot. This event is actually called the Craft & Gift Show but it falls under the Andover Fun Fest thing either way.

I emailed on April 29 to find out how soon we would or would not be accepted. I got a response the same day that is it first come first serve. It was interesting since I had to pay $100 with Venmo which I guess doesn't allow me to use my business credit card for some reason so I just sent a check via snail mail. Not sure why so many places only accept Venmo, but either way it really complicates things. I at least have a record of mailing the check. I tried May 8th to get it paid and then had to send a check the same day. It was estimated to arrive May 15th.

I got officially confirmed on May 21, 2026. The email included a confirmation letter outlining everything from when to setup (Friday), where to park and when we can break down. It even provided the wifi password for the community center and recommended we were a jacket. We actually used to come inside to cool off while at this event as attendees, so that tracks.

We're expected to bring our own tables and chairs, which is fine. It's a pretty short event that runs from 10am to 5pm on Saturday only. It does required an ST-19 to be submitted.

A thorough load-in email was sent to us on July 7th with a map and list of all the vendors as well as a blank ST-19 to fill out and submit to them when we come to set up on the 10th or 11th. The information included where to park, had photos of the door for load in and information about expectations.

Before the Event & Setup

We loaded in around 7pm on Friday. Andover Fun Fest starts on Friday so the parking lot was packed, cars were lined up on the side near where we needed to load in. We parked and walked our stuff into door 11. My booth was 503. The vendor hall isn't really all that large. It's just a gym that was sectioned off for booths. It was a shock for me to see that we had very easy to see separation so there was no concern about someone taking up our personal booth space. Definitely loved that.



I set up everything except my plush as I would bring them in the morning. There wasn't much of a check in process either. I just left my ST-19 with the person who was kinda handling stuff. They didn't even ask who I was just kinda trusted that I was supposed to be there haha.



We finished up then dropped off the car and walked down to watch the drone show. We attend this event every year and I enjoy it. This was the 30th anniversary as well and the first time they did a drone show. We snagged snacks and hung out til that started. It was a bit silly, but it was nice to see something that wasn't fireworks focused. The crowd was very large. Mind you, our city is like 30,000 people. I have no idea what the attendance is like for this event at all, just that most of us walk and the parking lots everywhere were still packed as well as the side streets.



Saturday morning, I fully intended on waking up at 7am and just slept til 8am. I did get up for my alarm and just went back to sleep. When we were setting up, my husband had walked around and saw a vendor selling cinnamon rolls, so we plotted to snag one once we arrived. I got everything ready (just grabbing plush, chairs and my square terminal) and headed on over. I noticed that I had run out of 2 different stickers and my Buster hair claw. Unfortunate, but I couldn't do anything about it before the event.

We threw the plush out onto the display and went and got a cinnamon roll from Stuff & Stuffed. They were so good! 



While we were waiting to open, the vendors next to me were chatting. One had been to St. Cloud the weekend before for their annual event. Unfortunately, they experienced flooding and hail. They waited 45 minutes for the hail and rain to calm down, but were standing in about a foot of water before they were able to pack up and start leaving. She was very upset and was hoping this event would be much better. I had never done it before, so I couldn't tell her one way or another what it was going to be like. The lady on my other side was selling tea towels but also mentioned she worked at the community center. She sells at this event every year. 

Eventually 10am rolled around and it opened.

The Event Itself

I'm local so I already knew there would be a parade in the morning around 11am and not to expect a lot of traffic early on. Despite that, I spent most of the event very busy. It would slow down a little, I'd leave my husband and daughter to watch my table so I could go to the bathroom and run back.

I had such a great time talking to my table neighbors, the candy people across from me who actually recognized me from some event but couldn't pinpoint where exactly. People were coming up to me who had seen me at Detour, TCC, Fusion and I was asked why I skipped Convergence this year lol. I'm sorry guys! 

Either way, I don't really have a lot to say. It was a short one day event that lasted about 7 hours. I liked that the aisles were very large. It was a nice cool building but not so cold that we were freezing. Given that it was in the 80s outside, it also pushed people to come inside and cool off while browsing.



I really didn't take any pics I guess. My husband did bring me some super good ice cream that we shared. I LOVE the ice cream they have at this location because it's so good. They change flavors a lot too so it's great to try something new.


I was actually still talking to people and I can't remember if I made any sales at 5pm after it was closed or not, but that's just how busy it was! The day really flew by.

What Worked & What Did Not

I loved that we had a separated 10x10 space. I was not really expecting to have dividers and it was nice that it was our space for just us.

People were confused by my advertisement I guess and started off wandering around outside expecting us to be there. I will need to be more clear in the future when I am advertising.

It's a first come first serve event, so obviously they don't seem to be super vetting people. There was this one very weird booth that looked like they bought a bunch of diamond things for themselves to make and it was like AI craft projects they were selling.

Conclusion

Since this event is local to me, I will absolutely apply again. I don't love having to pay with a check, but everything else was extremely well organized. Probably one of the easiest events I have done in awhile. 

The Details (TLDR)