Thank you for your interest in participating in First Friday. Everything you need to know about how to be an Exhibitor is on this page. Please read it carefully. If after reading this you still have questions, please email us at FirstFriday@ldda.org. We will respond promptly during business hours.
The online application for exhibitors is at the bottom of this page. PLEASE DON’T SKIP TO IT. Read the page first.
Applying for the Makers Market? STOP. To learn more about the Makers Market CLICK HERE.
Please note: We DO NOT Accept registrations for First Fridays after the Friday (5pm) before the event or after the applications close – whichever comes first. Applications OPEN the Monday following a First Friday around 10am. Applications do not carry over from month to month. Applications are considered on a first come first serve basis for each month. Applications are not processed until one week after the previous First Friday event.
A link to the First Friday themes is at the bottom of this page before the registration form.
The fees you pay as an Exhibitor are Shared Event Costs (SEC). Rates are determined by location and length of commitment.
Exhibitor Types & Benefits:
Full Time Exhibitors enjoy the same space for the duration of the agreement (12 months beginning with the month you start). This means Full Time Exhibitors do not have to register each month and usually do not move each month (some moves within the same section are possible). Now you can communicate your consistent location at every event to your staff and your audience. Full Time Exhibitors will also enjoy social media attention throughout the year in First Friday posts on the Downtown Lakeland accounts.
Part Time Exhibitors enjoy participation in 4 events within a 12-month agreement. Part Time Exhibitors can use the 4 events consecutively or choose any 4 within the 12-month agreement, but Part Time Exhibitors must choose which months they plan to attend in advance to ensure availability. Registration for each of the 4 events is needed, but not a new application or agreement each time. Part Time Exhibitors will also enjoy social media attention throughout the year in First Friday posts on the Downtown Lakeland accounts.
One Time Exhibitors must register and pay for each event. If a One Time Exhibitor would like to immediately commit to part time or full time, the one-time fee would be credited toward either the part time or full-time rate and the duration of the agreement (as defined in the part-time or full-time exhibitor types above) begins with the month of the one-time attendance.
We do not offer complimentary space at this time in the Exhibitors’ zones of the event. Please use the Makers Market registration for zone 6, which is free for non-profits only (limited to 5 organizations per month).
As part of the Exhibitor application, you will choose the area of the event in which you prefer to be located. The event space has two levels – Premium and Regular. You will choose which zone, and we assign you an exact space number within that section IF AVAILABLE. We will communicate with you about zone availability before invoicing you. (Outside circumstances like parked cars, construction equipment, and other issues can affect the footprint of our outdoor events. Therefore, we cannot guarantee any particular space on the night of the event–only a zone.)
New pricing below is effective beginning December 2 for the January 2024 Event
Premium Locations (See map below) :
North Kentucky Ave (south of the railroad tracks)
$950 – Full time
$650 – Part time (Not Currently Available)
$200 – One Time (Not Currently Available)
(See definitions above)
Regular Locations (See map Below) :
South Kentucky Ave
$750 – Full time
$475 – Part time
$150 – One Time
(See definitions above)
*NEW Overflow Locations: If all the premium and regular spaces are sold for a particular month, please be aware that we offer a limited number of spaces on Main St. between Kentucky Ave. and Tennessee Ave. You cannot select this option because it is only available on a first come, first served basis if all other areas are full.
$300 – Part time
$100 – One Time
Steps to becoming a First Friday Exhibitor:
Step 1: Read the rules and procedures you must agree to follow.
Step 2: Review the map of zones that explains pricing and commitment levels.
Step 3: Fill out the online Exhibitor Application below.
Step 4: Fill out the Exhibitor Agreement emailed to you and pay your invoice. Once paid, you will also receive a map of your exact location within the zone assigned with set up and breakdown instructions, etc.
STEP 5: See you at First Friday!!
Step 1:
Below are the rules and procedures. You will agree to follow these as part of the signed agreement.
RULES:
- Exhibitors are provided one 10′ x 10′ space unless otherwise determined by the LDDA. All tents must have tent weights. The LDDA does not provide weights, tents, tables, signs, lights, etc.
- Exhibitors are not allowed to sell products unless otherwise determined by the LDDA.
- Exhibitors are encouraged to provide a family-friendly activity that contributes to the festival atmosphere/theme of the event and to make their booths more attractive to the attendees.
- Exhibitors must confine their activities to the immediate vicinity of their booth. Exhibitors may not walk around and hand out materials. This increases the amount of trash in the streets. Exhibitors may not engage in any activity deemed inappropriate by the LDDA Board and/or management, including but not limited to (a) the dissemination of information, written or verbal, that is damaging or derogatory to any other group; or (b) any activity that is prohibited by city, county, state or federal laws.
- Exhibitors may not share booth space with any other organization or business without prior consent of the LDDA.
- Placement is at the sole discretion of the LDDA and is final.
- Fees are non-refundable. Exhibitors who choose not to participate in an event that has not officially been cancelled by the LDDA will forfeit their fee.
- Full Time and Part Time Exhibitors enjoy a significant discount from the One Time rate. Because of this, there are no refunds or make ups for rain outs.
- One Time Exhibitors will receive a refund if the event is cancelled and will be required to register for another month.
- The event time is from 6pm-9pm. Exhibitors are expect to stay for the full 3 hours except when there is inclement weather.
- No vehicles are allowed inside the event perimeter until 9pm. Vehicles that are part of the exhibitor’s display MAY NOT leave until 9pm. Plan accordingly.
- Violation of these rules may result in immediate expulsion from the event and termination of the right to participate in the future.
SET UP PROCEDURES:
First Friday hours are 6pm-9pm
Exhibitors may not place anything in the streets until the streets are closed to vehicular traffic (5pm on Kentucky)
Exhibitors will receive instructions of how to enter and exit the event for set up and break down according to the block they are assigned. All employees and volunteers working your booth are expected to know and follow the set up procedures.
- Vehicles must only enter the event per the event entrance assigned to you.
- Display First Friday placard in front window, drivers side, so that event staff can easily identify you at the barricade as a First Friday exhibitor. If multiple cars are required for set up each must have a placard.
- If you are setting up prior to 5pm and before the streets are closed, you must pull out of the lane of traffic to unload your vehicle. If event staff is not available to move a cone for you, you must put on your flashers, get out and move the cone, and pull out of the lane of traffic.
- Unload your exhibit materials to the sidewalk adjacent to your space and move your vehicle to the designated Exhibitor parking area.
- If you arrive to set up after the streets are closed, event staff will move the barricade to allow you in. Stay in the lane of traffic and unload your materials in your space. You may not set up your space until you have moved your car to the designated Exhibitor parking area.
- Vehicles exiting the event perimeter must do so at 10mph and with extreme caution.
- No tents, tables, etc. may be placed in the parking space (your exhibit space) prior to 5pm. This is a safety issue and will be strictly enforced.
- If an Exhibitor moves a barricade when event staff is not present, he/she MUST place the barricade back into position.
- Exhibitors MAY NOT enter the event perimeter with a vehicle after 6pm. This is a violation of the event’s agreement with the city of Lakeland.
BREAK DOWN PROCEDURES:
- Exhibitors are expected to stay for the full duration of the event, except in inclement weather.
- No vehicles may enter the event perimeter prior to 9pm.
- Vehicles must only enter the event per the event entrance assigned to you.
- Exhibits must be fully broken down and ready to be packed into the vehicle prior to the vehicle entering the event perimeter.
- Vehicles exiting the event perimeter must do so at 10mph and with extreme caution.
LDDA agrees to:
- Communicate with you via the email address provided on the agreement when a First Friday event is cancelled due to weather or other reasons at least 3 hours prior to the event.
- Provide you with the agreed space identified in this agreement for the term of the agreement unless circumstances beyond LDDA’s control prevent the availability of that space such as a parked car or construction staging. When your defined space is not available, LDDA will provide you with the closest available space.
- Address any grievance you may have with event staff or neighboring exhibitors in a timely manner.
- Process any refunds due to you within 7 business days.
- Respond to your emails/phone calls/text messages within 24 hours (except weekends).
- Have event staff available to you during the event if you have questions or concerns.
Need help understanding where to park? Here’s a link to a map.
Step 2:
MAP OF THE EXHIBITOR SPACES.
Individual spaces are numbered within each zone.
FIRST FRIDAY THEMEs click here
Step 3: Fill out Online Exhibitor Application below.