The YWCA Riverside Art Festival draws thousands of people from around the Great Lakes Bay Region with beautiful artistry and entertainment. Artists will be located on Downtown Bay City Streets, along the Saginaw Riverfront. The YWCA Riverside Art Festival is located in downtown Bay City, Michigan in the Great Lakes Bay Region, home to over 500,000 residents.

For 49 years the YWCA Riverside Art Festival has drawn people from throughout the state of Michigan. In 2023, we are going to continue our highly selective jury process to feature original works of art.

Registration Rates: Single Booth: $225, Double Booth: $325.

• Refunds: Last day for full refunds (minus $25 processing fee) is April 30, 2024. Deadline for applying is May 15, 2024.

All artists are welcome, and all will be considered during the application process.

The YWCA Riverside Art Festival accepts only handmade-original work/design. No work that has been made with commercial kits, premade patterns or the work of premade studios is allowed. We do not accept MLM vendors applications.

All jewelry must be made by the jeweler, prefabricated jewelry is not allowed.

All artists and vendors must submit a process summary and 5 photos showing: a work in progress and booth display must be included.

If you have a question about any of the above requirements, please reach out to us at Riverside@ywcaglbr.org.

No two vendors/artists can share a single booth. If you would like to register two artists/vendors under one registration, you must register for a double booth. If you choose to also participate in the jury awards, only one of the artists in a shared booth can be considered for the jury awards.

We have limited capacity for water - if you require water access, we will bill you an additional $50 to cover our water costs. Our Vendor Liaison will be in touch to discuss your needs BEFORE we submit a bill.

Jury Information & Deadlines for Applying:

NEW for 2024: If an artist would like to be considered for the juried awards there is an additional $25 jury application fee.

All artists interested in the jury awards must apply by May 15, 2024.

In celebration of our 50th Anniversary of the Art Festival, we’re increasing the number and amount of our jury awards.

For 2024 there will be three awards: Best of Show will receive $500 and a ribbon, Runner Up will receive $300 and a certificate, and Third Place will receive $200.

You must pay your booth registration fee and also pay the $25 jury application fee to be considered for the jury awards

Jury Registration Requirements:

All artists must submit a process summary and 5 photos showing: a work in progress and booth display must be included. Event organizers will not consider applications that do not have the required photos.

Details For The Weekend of RIVERSIDE Art Festival:

No early teardown of booths, please come prepared for all kinds of weather. All artists and vendors must agree to leaving their booths up regardless of weather conditions until 4:30pm on Sunday.

Only vendors, artists, nonprofits or food vendors who do not follow the guidelines will be contacted by the Vendor Liaison and have their registration fee refunded.

• Applications will be accepted upon receipt.

Set-up spots will be designated on the streets downtown. You will drive up to your booth to unload and pack-up. Booth spaces are 12’ wide by 12-16’ deep.

Booth Sitters: Have to go to the restroom? Get a drink? Shop? YWCA will have several booth sitters to assist!

Click Here to Register Online

Click Here to Download a Paper Registration Form

For more information about YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region or the YWCA Riverside Art Festival, please call (989-894-9055) or email riverside@ywcaglbr.org.

Nonprofit Registration Rate - $100 for a single booth.

Refunds: Last day for full refunds (minus $25 processing fee) is April 30, 2024. Deadline for applying is May 15, 2024.

Local Great Lakes Bay Region 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations (Midland, Saginaw or Bay County based) who are interested in doing outreach at Riverside are eligible to register for a single booth for $100.

You must supply your own canopy (E-Z Up) and table.

Details For The Weekend of RIVERSIDE Art Festival:

No early teardown of booths, please come prepared for all kinds of weather. All artists and vendors must agree to leaving their booths up regardless of weather conditions until 4:30pm on Sunday.

Only vendors, artists, nonprofits or food vendors who do not follow the guidelines will be contacted by the Vendor Liaison and have their registration fee refunded.

Applications will be accepted upon receipt.

Set-up spots will be designated on the streets downtown. You will drive up to your booth to unload and pack-up. Booth spaces are 12’ wide by 12-16’ deep.

Booth Sitters: Have to go to the restroom? Get a drink? Shop? YWCA will have several booth sitters to assist!

Click Here to Register Online

Click Here to Download a Paper Registration Form

For more information about the Riverside Art Festival, please call (989-894-9055) or email riverside@ywcaglbr.org.

4/19/24: We are not accepting any additional applications for Food Vendors! We cannot accommodate any additional food trucks but if there are vendors selling pre-packaged snacks there is still availability. Please apply under the “artist registration” link above.

1/30/24 Note: We have kettle corn vendors registered for this year’s festival!)

For more information about YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region or the YWCA Riverside Art Festival, please call (989-894-9055) or email riverside@ywcaglbr.org.