Warwick Valley Chamber seeks vendors to participate in a Virtual Applefest

Michael A. Johndrow, the executive director of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce, announced this week that Applefest 2021 will be a virtual event that will run from Oct. 2 through Dec. 31 on the special Warwick “Virtual Applefest” shopping website (shop.warwickapplefest.com).

Applefest 2020, originally scheduled for last Oct. 4, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic to protect the health of sponsors, vendors, volunteers, suppliers and visitors. It was also canceled due to the state’s restrictions on gathering sizes.

The impact

The impact was significant. In attracting more than 30,000 visitors for the one-day event, Applefest typically raises more than $85,000 annually to benefit the Warwick Valley Chamber and 50 local non-profit organizations, for whom the event is their biggest annual fund raiser.

In his announcement, Johndrow said that because this will be a virtual event, all vendors must have a business website, Etsy account or Facebook Business page to participate as well as a way to accept payments. Vendors will be responsible for handling all sales, payment and shipping of any products.

Restaurants and retail businesses also invited

In addition to usual craft and food vendors, the chamber is inviting restaurants and retail businesses that are members of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce to participate in this online sale.

Applefest started in 1989 and is now the region’s largest festival and one of the top fall festivals in the country. The Applefest website receives an average of 60,000 hits per year.

The chamber has created an online survey to gauge the interests of vendors and non-profit. There also are a variety of vendor packages and pricings.

For more information, contact the chamber by telephone at (845) 986-2720 or by email at info@warwickcc.org. Its web address is www.warwickcc.org.

Applefest 2020, originally scheduled for last Oct. 4, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic to protect the health of many sponsors, vendors, volunteers, suppliers and visitors. It was also canceled due to the state’s restrictions on gathering sizes.

The impact was significant. In attracting more than 30,000 visitors for the one-day event, Applefest typically raises more than $85,000 annually to benefit the Warwick Valley Chamber and 50 local non-profit organizations, for whom the event is their biggest annual fund raiser.

In his announcement, Johndrow said that because this will be a virtual event, all vendors must have a business website, Etsy account or Facebook Business page to participate as well as a way to accept payments. Vendors will be responsible for handling all sales, payment and shipping of any products.

In addition to usual craft and food vendors, the chamber is inviting restaurants and retail businesses that are members of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce to participate in this online sale.

Applefest started in 1989 and is now the region’s largest festival and one of the top fall festivals in the country. The Applefest website receives an average of 60,000 hits per year.

The chamber has created an online survey to gauge the interests of vendors and non-profit. There also are a variety of vendor packages and pricings.

For more information, contact the chamber by telephone at (845) 986-2720 or by email at info@warwickcc.org. Its web address is www.warwickcc.org.