04/23/2026
Hey WWF Friends! 🍉
We wanted to take a moment to address a few things we've been hearing lately, just to make sure there’s no misunderstanding. We know how many of you want to be vendors at our event - and trust me, we truly wish we had space for everyone.
That said, there are a few (okay, way more than a few) important things we have to keep in mind when planning:
- We only have space for about 25–30 food vendors. Any more than that, and we begin running into resource and logistics challenges that impact the overall event.
- We have to limit duplicate food types. If every vendor sold funnel cakes, not only would vendors struggle to make sales, but festival-goers would also be disappointed by the lack of variety. We work hard to create a balanced mix of offerings so everyone has the best chance to succeed.
- We cannot give preference to any one vendor, even those located in Winterville (as much as we love supporting our local businesses).
- Food vendor applications are released first - and they fill up quickly. Some of our vendors have been joining us for 20 years and know to submit their applications the moment they open.
- While the Town of Winterville is a valued supporter, the festival itself is organized and operated entirely by a volunteer committee as a separate organization.
We hope this helps clear up some questions and gives a little insight into how these decisions are made behind the scenes. We appreciate your enthusiasm and support more than you know - it’s what makes this festival so special year after year.
And stay tuned…we’re getting ready to make a big announcement about our Watermelon Jam headliner along with details on a special pre-sale you won’t want to miss! 🎶🍉