Arrival and set-up

Festival hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday and 11:00 am
to 5:00 pm on Sunday. Booths should be set up by 9:30 am Saturday and 10:30 am Sunday. Upon arrival, all exhibitors should check in at HEADQUARTERS, located along the north side of East Park. Here you will receive your check-in folder with name tags, booth signs, etc. A volunteer will be on hand until 7:00 pm Friday, and starting at 6:30 am Saturday to check in artists. We encourage you to present donations for the ART MARKET directly to the ART
MARKET in West Park so that they will be available for the auction as early as possible.

Set-up begins at noon on Friday. Beginning at 2:00 pm, side streets will close to regular traffic. As a courtesy to others, vehicles should be removed as quickly as they are unloaded and parked in a designated area. NO VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED ON THE GRASS AT ANY TIME. No tent stakes more than 12” long are permitted; weights should be used instead. The Norwich Police Dept. is just across Main street and provides overnight security, but if you
wish to reload your vehicle, you may do so after 6:00 pm on Saturday.

When loading out at the close of the event, please do not move your vehicle from the parking area until your booth is packed up and ready to load. Parking space is limited near the parks and your cooperation will help make things go more smoothly. Please be considerate and do not block others’ access to their booths or vehicles.

West Park vendor parking is available in the County Office parking lot, behind The Red Roof Inn or behind the United Church of Christ (accessible from Hayes street). East Park vendor parking is available in the Frontier parking lot, which can most easily be accessed through a gate on one-way Lackawanna Avenue, or from East Park Place

Sales tax information

Exhibitors must collect NYS sales tax and prominently display
a current Sales Tax Certificate at all times as required by law. The sales tax rate in Chenango County is 8%, excluding footware and clothing for human use costing less than $110. Clothing costing less than $110 is now subject to a 1.5% city sales tax. To receive a Sales Tax Certificate, contact the NYS Dept. of Taxation & Finance by calling 800-698-2909 or 518-485-2889, or visit http://www.tax.ny.gov/bus/ads/webdtf17.htm.

Hospitality Center

A complimentary Hospitality Center will be provided for your
enjoyment at the southwest corner of the Courthouse in West Park. Here you will find food, beverages and a place to relax. Your name tag is required for admission.

We will deliver lunches mid-day, or you can take advantage of the Hospitality Center. Lunch tickets will be included in your check-in packet (two lunches per booth per day) and are valid for both deliveries or the Hospitality Center. We can accommodate vegetarian diets, but people with other dietary needs should provide their own meals. We do our best to deliver lunches promptly, but this can be challenging when the parks are crowded. Please be patient with our volunteers, who do the best they can.

Booth Sitters

Booth Sitters will be assigned to walk the parks wearing bright green vests so they are easy to identify. Feel free to flag one down when you need a break, or call me at 607-316-3212 and I will see that someone goes to your booth. You should be sure to let
me know if you encounter any problems of any sort.

Judging & Awards

Judging begins at 10:00 a.m. Saturday.

Awards are as follows:

  •  Categories with five or more entries receive three awards (1st, 2nd and 3rd);
  • Categories with four or more entries receive two awards (1st and 2nd); and
  • Categories with three entries or fewer will receive one award (1st).

Award amounts are: 1st – $200; 2nd – $100; and 3rd – $50.

$200 BEST BOOTH and $300 BEST OF SHOW AWARDS will also be presented. Award winners will be granted jury-exempt status for the 31st Annual Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, September 6th & 7th, 2025.

Awards will be presented at the complimentary Artist Awards Breakfast Sunday morning at the Broad Street Methodist Church, across from the Red Roof Inn. Details will follow later in the summer.

“ColorCash” Certificates

May be presented by shoppers and should be treated the same as cash for the purchase of artwork. Make change as needed, as you will be reimbursed for the full value of the Certificate. Please treat the holders of these Certificates well, since they are Colorscape’s partners – the people and businesses who make this all possible!

All Certificates must be signed by Michele Ericksen, Executive Director, and have an embossed corporate stamp (dated 1999) to be valid. Instructions for redemption are on the
Certificates.

Hotels and lodging:

  • Red Roof Inn (formerly Howard Johnsons) in downtown Norwich is offering a rate of $75+tax for Colorscape exhibitors. Call the hotel at 607.334.2200 and tell the desk clerk you are a Colorscape artist to get the discount. If you have any problems ask for general manager, Dana Meyer, or let me know. The Red Roof Inn is the preferred lodging for Colorscape exhibitors. More info is available on their website.
  • The Norwich Super 8 is offering a discount rate of $75+tax for Colorscape artists. If you encounter any problems getting the discount when you call 607.336.8880 and tell the desk clerk you are a Colorscape artist. This motel is located at 6067 NYS Route 12 at the north edge of the city. You can visit their web site.
  • Fred’s Inn offers a rate of $129+tax for a room with a regular king-sized bed for Colorscape artists. Call 607.334.9282 and ask for Chic or David. This facility includes a restaurant and pub, located south of Norwich at 5149 NYS Route 12. Visit their website.
  • The Splendor Inn Bed & Breakfast at 75 So. Broad Street in Norwich is offering a 10% discount on their regular rates to Colorscape artists. Contact Ann or Chris Smith at 607.336.5003 or splendorinnbb@gmail.com. You can also visit their web site.  
  • I will send a list of volunteer Home Hosts with their contact information later this spring.

Camping

Camping is available at the Chenango County Fairgrounds on East Main Street during Colorscape weekend (Friday, Saturday & Sunday). A limited number of electric and water hook-ups are available, as well as primitive camping. 

Registration is required. You should register at the Headquarters Booth in East Park beginning at noon Friday. Make checks out to “Colorscape.” All major credit cards are accepted and we also welcome cash.

Camping Rates for Exhibitors, Vendors & the General Public:
$40/day w/electric & water
$30 w/water only
$20 primitive camping

Food and shopping

There are a variety of restaurants and businesses in Norwich and
culinary vendors will be present at the festival. Norwich also features galleries, gift shops, a restored movie theater and a number of other shops.

Be sure to contact me if you have any questions or problems. I’ll see you in September!
PEGGY FINNEGAN, VISUAL ARTS COORDINATOR
P.O. Box 624, Norwich, NY 13815 – 607.316.3212; finnjp@stny.rr.com