Local businesses, nonprofits and artisans can apply for booth space at the 36th Annual Ruskin Seafood Festival, set for Nov. 14-15 at E.G. Simmons Park.

Admission is free.

The Greater SouthShore Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the festival, is accepting vendor applications through Wednesday, Oct. 14. Completed forms, payment and a $75 refundable deposit check are all due by that date.

Booth fees cover both days and vary by vendor type:

  • Nonprofit vendors: $125 for chamber members, $250 for non-members
  • Business/commercial vendors: $350 for chamber members, $425 for non-members
  • Arts and crafts vendors: $175

Vendors who sell a product must also pay a $25 Hillsborough County selling fee. Each booth space measures 12 by 12 feet, and vendors must bring their own table, chairs and canopy.

Setup is available Friday, Nov. 13, from noon to 6 p.m., or Saturday, Nov. 14, from 7 to 9 a.m. Vendors must be ready by 9 a.m. Saturday and remain open through close on Sunday. Festival hours run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The $75 deposit is returned at the end of Sunday if vendors follow all rules and stay through closing.

This is the first Seafood Festival under new executive director Bonnie Peacock, who took over the chamber May 1 after a two-month transition with outgoing director Melanie Davis. Peacock told the Observer News on May 7, upon being named executive director, that her short-term goals included to "pull off the Seafood Festival, initiate early-bird networking and follow in Melanie's shoes."

The chamber's event page lists planned attractions including more than 20 food and beverage vendors, an arts and crafts market, an interactive kids area, sensory-friendly areas, live music, a Dog Bark Zone and the Roamin' Oldies Car Show.

Applications can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to the Greater SouthShore Chamber of Commerce, 226 College Ave. W, Ruskin, FL 33570. Payment is accepted by cash, check, money order, credit card or invoice for chamber members. The chamber's phone number is (813) 645-1366.

Upcoming community dates:

  • Oct. 14: Vendor application deadline, 36th Annual Ruskin Seafood Festival
  • Nov. 13: Early vendor setup, E.G. Simmons Park, noon to 6 p.m.
  • Nov. 14-15: 36th Annual Ruskin Seafood Festival, E.G. Simmons Park, free admission