Announcing HOTC Dog Fair 2022

  

The Huntsville Obedience Training Club is currently accepting applications for exhibitor booth space at HOTC Dog Fair 2022 scheduled for September 24^th, at Monte Sano State Park.  This event provides a wide range of free demonstrations and hands-on activities for the public and their canine companions, and gives local shelters and rescue groups the opportunity to showcase dogs in need of a 'forever' home.  Vendors' booths with dog-related items for sale help lend a country-fair atmosphere to the event, enhancing everyone's enjoyment.  Several thousand people and their dogs attend the HOTC Dog Fair each year, making it one of the largest volunteer-run events of its type in the nation.

Booth space is free on a first-come basis to canine related vendors, rescue organizations/animal shelters, and other related non-profits. We do ask that for-profit organizations provide a refundable deposit to reserve booth space and donate an item to be given to the public as a door prize.  You can apply for space at www.DogFair.org.  Click on "Exhibitors" at the top of the page, then select "How can I be an exhibitor?" and follow the instructions.  You will receive an email confirmation of your application approval and during the week before the Fair a booth assignment will be emailed to you.  Please ensure that your email address is entered correctly so that we may contact you, and indicate any special needs on your application form.  While you are there, check out the entire HOTC Dog Fair website!   Please note that although the booth space is free, Monte Sano State Park charges a parking fee for each vehicle.  The parking fee applies to both for-profit and non-profit exhibitors/rescues.  

This year there will be two sessions of K9 Escapades where dogs can participate in fun competitions such as Dog Look-a-Like and Best Trick.  Rescues and shelters are welcome to show some of their dogs in the K9 Escapades contests and we will announce his/her availability for adoption during the event.  Rescues and shelters may bring as many adoptable dogs as their staff can support.   Shortly before booth assignments are made in mid-September, HOTC will confirm with you, by telephone or email, the number of dogs that you are planning to bring.  We understand that adoptions happen and new rescues become available, so bring the dogs that you have available on the day of the Dog Fair, but if your rescue count changes more than an couple of animals please let us know as soon as possible.  If for some reason you are unable to attend at the last minute, please contact us.  After being accepted for booth space, rescue organizations and animal shelters will be sent a password and instructions on how to sign-up some or all of the adoptable dogs you plan to bring to the Dog Fair.  You are not required to sign-up the dogs you will bring, but please sign-up some, so that the public knows about your organization. The information will be displayed on-line at the HOTC Dog Fair website and with links to your organization’s website if provided.   

 

The Dog Fair opens to the public at 9:00 am. All exhibitors must arrive and be parked in the designated exhibitor parking areas no later than 8:30 AM, and must stay until the fair closes at 3:00 p.m.   In the past, the congestion of late arriving exhibitors created an unacceptable safety hazard to the Dog Fair attendees; therefore, no one will be allowed to drive into the vendor and exhibitor areas after 8:30.  Visitor parking is reserved for Dog Fair attendees.  We want as many people as possible to enjoy the event!

 

Other guidelines:

 

• Unless otherwise requested HOTC provides a space which is approximately 10 feet wide on dirt or grass typically under trees.  Commensurate with number of adoptable dogs, additional space may be allocated to rescues.  Some locations may not be shaded. You must bring tent(s), table(s), chairs, floor mat, and anything else you may need.
• Electrical power is NOT available for any booth.  If you plan on running a generator, please note that in your application so we can place you appropriately.
• You are responsible for keeping your area clean and ensuring all trash is picked up before you leave.  If you provide give-away items for the public which have packaging, such as candy, you are expected to provide a waste container at the front of your booth for collection of the packaging materials.
• You will be assigned an appropriate space.  You may setup after spaces are marked off in late afternoon Friday before the Dog Fair (approximately 4pm) or you may setup early the following morning.  The space will be well marked and, if practical, grouped near other like activities. Monte Sano Park closes at sunset. If you set up the afternoon before, security for the night is your responsibility.  If you would like to stay overnight with your booth please contact us for more details.

 

• Applications for space must be received by Wednesday, Sept 14.  Applications must describe booths that are dog related. Although an organization may have multiple non-canine elements, for a booth to be approved for the HOTC Dog Fair, the booth must focus only on the dog related elements of the organization.  Should applications exceed the available space; a waiting list will be maintained.  HOTC reserves the right to place vendors and exhibitors where HOTC feels best, and to decline any application without
• There is no charge for exhibitor space, however, if you are a for-profit organization or business, we ask that you donate a meaningful item or certificate for free services that can be given to the public as a door prize.  Door prize donations should have a minimum value of $50.  Donations of services must not require a purchase and must be available within Madison County.   If an in-kind donation is not practical for your organization, a monetary donation will be appreciated.  Money raised through donations will be given to dog-related charities selected by HOTC.  To reserve booth space for-profit exhibitors must post a deposit in the form of a check for $50 which will be held and returned when you claim your booth on the day of the Fair and you have delivered your door prize donation.  This deposit must be received by HOTC not later than Sept 14.  Submission details for the deposit will be provided when your application is accepted.  Deposits may be donated.

If you will be unable to claim your space as planned, please let us know as soon as possible.  If you cancel your space after booth assignments are made on Sept 14, your deposit will be considered as a donation.

 

• Items donated for the door prize drawings should be turned in to the Welcome & Information Booth by 9:30 a.m.  You should attach a brief information card with the name of your business, and a few lines about your products or service.  This will be read when the winner is announced.  The drawings are held several times during the day and are free to the public. The drawings are an incentive for folks to register at the Welcome & Information Booth, which provides HOTC with some basic visitor information. 

 

• Rescue organizations/animal shelters may raise money through solicitation of donations, the sales of products, and by offering services such as nail trimming, face-painting, etc.   Any money raised is yours to keep.

 

•  You may NOT sell food.  Our health permit does not cover food other than the specific food vendor(s) with which HOTC has an established agreement.

 

• You may sell canned or bottled drinks, water, etc.

 

• Any taxes are your responsibility.

 

• Latex balloons are NOT allowed.  It scares some of the dogs when they pop, and the pieces are difficult to clean up.   Mylar balloons which will not explode when punctured are permissible.

 

• Lunch is NOT provided for Exhibitors or their volunteers.  You may bring your lunch or food may be purchased at the food concessions on the grounds.

 

• Exhibitors, be they for-profits, non-profits, rescues, or shelters, can NOT bring other species of animals, including but not limited to, cats, birds, reptiles, or other mammals.

 

HOTC invests thousands of man-hours and thousands of dollars in this event, and takes nothing but good will and enjoyment from it.   We hope that you enjoy it as well! 

 

If you have questions, please email us at Contact Us.

Sorry, it's too late to apply for booth space at HOTC Dog Fair 2022.

See you at the HOTC Dog Fair!

Butch Norckauer
Exhibitor Booth & Display Coordinator
HOTC Dog Fair 2022