We bring you info for potential 50 Year Merchants courtesy of our friends at the MidRealm Gazette.

Greetings Potential 50 Year Merchants from Countess Kenna, your Merchant Coordinator!

SCA 50 Year Celebration will be here before you know it. This is your introductory information to the wonderful world of SCA 50 Year Merchanting. We hope to have the best of the best at 50 Year.

Please take time to go through the information provided and please feel free to come up with questions of your own. I hope that in answering many of your questions you will see if your business will align with the needs of SCA 50 Year. Please feel free to send any additional questions to merchants@sca50year.org *protected email*. I will answer them and add the info to the current questions/answer list. I will keep this list updated with new information until the release of the SCA 50 Merchant application package. Look for that October 1, 2015.

Please have your request in by December 20, 2015. At that time, all applications will be reviewed and merchants will be selected. Space is limited so I encourage you to send along websites and pictures of your booth and goods with your application so the team can see your set-up. We will have room for a small number of tent merchants so please let us know if you are tent merchant, bazaar merchant, or are willing to be either. Thanks again for your interest and happy reading.

1. Will 50 Year fit our schedule? When and where is SCA 50 Year going to be held? SCA 50 Year will be held outside of Indianapolis, Indiana on June 17 to 27, 2016. The event is located at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds in Danville, Indiana.

2. Since it is in the state of Indiana, where do I go to get a license to sell items in the State of Indiana?
You can find this information at IN.gov and you must register your business online. Since we have limited spaces for vendors, proof of an Indiana sales license will be required.

3. Will everyone who requests merchant space be allowed to merchant?
At this time space is limited. Some folks may be turned away. We will be reviewing the applications and getting a variety of wares for the event. You will be encouraged to send along web addresses and pictures with your application. This information will be added to the site when we coordinate the Merchanting area.

4. What is the sales tax in Indiana and what is taxed?
We have a 7% sales tax across the board in Indiana for all products/items sold. Our only exception is food which is not taxed. Food items that are vended are taxed at restaurants. In the counties directly around the city of Indianapolis, restaurant tax is 8%.

5. Can I bring my merchanting tent?
There will be a very limited number of tent merchants at SCA 50 Year. Most merchants will be housed in two pole barn-type shelters with roofs, fans, and electricity. We will be having a bazaar-type setting for all. At this time, space is limited. We are looking to have about 70 merchant spaces plus a limited number of tent merchants. Please note that is spaces, not merchants. Merchants may wish to purchase more than one space. Folks will need to review their space needs and purchase space to fit the need.

6. What sizes are the merchant spaces as well as the cost of each?
You will be offered a 10×20 space for $50.00 for the event. A 20×20 space will be $75.00 for the event. A 20×40 space will be $125.00 for the event. We will not offer spaces larger than 20×40 with the exception of a few tent merchants. Tent merchants will be billed per square foot. Price will be $5.00 per square foot and you will need to include your ropes with the total amount. Due to the electricity running through the site, tent stakes are dangerous and we will have to make sure you fit within the markings of the electric company.

7. What do I get with the space?
As a bazaar vendor, you will be assigned tables and chairs based on the space you purchase. Please remember that if you want to utilize all your space you should think about using all four sides of your booth area. You can always build up as well. Tent merchants will get a marked-off space only.

8. As a SCA 50 Year Merchant, can we arrive on site early to set up?
Yes, you can. Details for early arrival will be made available closer to the time of the event, but it does appear that merchants will be able to get onto the site on the Thursday before Friday opening. So, at this time, we are looking at one day early for early on set up.

9. When can we officially register?
Registration will officially begin on October 1, 2015. You will need to decide the size of space you will need. We will have options for additional table and chairs for rent. This information will be available closer to registration. The fees for these items will be minimal. We are looking at making the trip as easy for you as possible.

10. Can I put a structure on my bazaar merchant space, i.e. tent, shelves etc.?
Yes, you can, but they have to be free-standing structures and cannot interfere with the ceiling fans in the building. The floor-to-fan height is over 15 feet. Please keep that in mind if you plan on constructing structures. The floor of the barns are concrete, so you can’t use stakes.

11. Can I use the electricity provided?
Yes, you can. Bring your own extension cords and make sure that they are approved for outdoor use.

12. Can I sleep in my merchant area?
Yes, you can if you like. Please work around your space to fit your needs. You can fit a small pop-up tent in your area if it works! Please note that we will be providing security through the week, but we are not responsible for any lost or stolen merchandise. There is a limited amount of space between the barns for tent camping  (small period tents, if possible). Your property and the security of it is up to you.

13. Do I have to have a license to sell or vend in Indiana to merchant at SCA 50 Year? Yes, you do. We will be requiring a copy of your license as part of the registration process.

14. What will be our hours of operation?
We hope you can be open from Saturday to the following Sunday at 6 PM, although we do understand if you need to leave early, just let us know. If that is the case, we would rather you leave after 6 PM when the crowds in the area die down. You will be required to be open throughout the event from 10 AM to 6 PM. You are welcome to sell around those hours, but we will be requesting a quiet time after 10 PM. That being said, Midnight Madness will be the exception! We hope to have a Midnight Madness Sale on Wednesday of the event (or Thursday, if the weather is bad). On this date, please open later if you like and try to stay open until at least 11 PM. We do understand that there are events and activities that you may need to close your space. This is fine as this is also your vacation. Please leave a ” I will return at ___” sign at your booth. Enjoy the event!

15. Speaking of weather, what can we do to protect our merchandise?
The barns do not have walls, although the roof and sides are steel and steel beams. You are encouraged to create walls for your booth areas. This will cut down on wind and rain. The booths near the middle of the barns are less likely to be impacted. We encourage all to bring plastic coverings and or lids for tubs and merchandise. Contrary to the song in the early 70’s, it does rain in Indianapolis in the summertime!

16. Can we ship merchandise to the site?
Yes, you can. Staff will accept your packages, but we are not responsible for the security of the packages. They will be housed in a locked area, but again, we are not responsible for the security of your items. Some folks had asked about shipping pods. We have a location for these to be stored near the merchant buildings.

17. Will there be trailer parking/merchant parking?
Yes, I am working with the staff to secure parking for your trailers and cars. This parking will be closer to the merchant area. If you choose to camp in general camping, it will be located in a different area of the site, but still accessible by walking. The event site has paved roads and all areas are within walking distance.

18. Will there be food available on site?
Yes, there will. The food vendors are located directly across the road from the merchant buildings. We will have a variety of foods available serving all day.

This is just the start. I am sure you will come up with many more questions, so please feel free to send them on. Have a Great Fall!

Countess Kenna
Kim Harvey