AutumnFest

Save the Date:
Saturday, October 4, 2025
9 AM to 4 PM
Downtown Park
145 SE Broad St.
Southern Pines, NC

AutumnFest is presented by the
Arts Council of Moore County &
Southern Pines Parks & Recreation Dept.

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AutumnFest attendees | Credit: Ted Fitzgerald/The Pilot

In 1978, the first AutumnFest was held in beautiful Downtown Park in Southern Pines. Since then, AutumnFest has become one of Moore County’s most popular annual festivals, bringing thousands of people out on the first Saturday in October. This intimate festival features arts, crafts, handmade items, live entertainment, delicious food, and more.

All AutumnFest vendors must fill out an application to be accepted into the festival. Priority will be given to vendors of art & crafts (handmade items) and food vendors. The AutumnFest Committee will select the vendors with the goal to give festival attendees an authentic arts & craft fair experience. Applications will be accepted until all booth spaces are filled. Vendor fees will be returned if application is not accepted. All food vendors will be located on Broad Street with space for eight food trucks and four food tents.

The live entertainment for AutumnFest is also specifically chosen with the festival attendees in mind, and the entertainment stage is located in the heart of the park. AutumnFest prefers to focus on local and regional entertainment. See below for information on performing at AutumnFest.

As plans for the annual AutumnFest are finalized, we invite artists, crafters, and food vendors to apply for a space in the spring by using the links below. Space is limited, so submit your application soon!

AutumnFest Vendor Application & Information

Vender Application Form will be available by April 15, 2025
Arts & Crafts & Food vendors may apply starting April 15, 2025.
All other vendors may apply after August 1, 2025.
To be put on the contact list, please contact Bridgett Sampson at 910-692-7376 or bsampson@southernpines.net.

Rules & Guidelines for Vendors:

  • All vendors must fill out an application in order to be accepted into AutumnFest.
  • All booths are first-come-first-serve.
  • Commercial & Nonprofit spaces can be reserved starting August 1 (if available).
  • Vendor notification of booth acceptance begins August 1 and we accept applications up until August 31.
  • If you rep a direct sales company (e.g. Scentsy, Color Street, Mary Kay, Avon, etc.), you must select a Commercial space, which will be available starting August 1.
  • Booth assignments & check-in information for all vendors will be sent out after September 5, 2025.
  • AutumnFest is held rain or shine. No refunds.
  • Booths for food, commercial, & nonprofit vendors are limited.
  • Only one booth per political party will be accepted (space permitting). Individual candidates must distribute campaign information from within their party’s booth. Also, see Rule #2 below under “AutumnFest Rules & Regulations for Vendors & Attendees.”
  • Please see Vendor Application for complete list of requirements.
  • Southern Pines Police & Fire Departments will be on site.

Please direct all questions about AutumnFest booths to Bridgett Sampson:
Senior & Special Events Coordinator – Southern Pines Parks & Recreation Dept.
910-692-7376 | bsampson@southernpines.net

Important links for Food Vendors:
Application form for Moore County Temporary Food Establishment Vendor
Exemption form for Moore County Temporary Food Establishment Permit
Southern Pines Fire Safety Standards
AutumnFest Vendor Space Map for 2024 (NOTE: Vendor space numbers & locations will change in 2025.)

AutumnFest Entertainment Schedule

2025 SCHEDULE TO BE DETERMINED

10a-2p – The Scrap Exchange on the single tennis court – For ages 4 & up
Promoting creativity, environmental awareness & community through reuse since 1991, The Scrap Exchange collects materials from individuals, businesses, industries, & municipal sources & distribute those materials through a retail store in Durham, NC, as well as through workshops, parties, & events across the southeast. They arrive with a van full of reusable crafting materials, lots of crafting supplies, & a team of expert scrappers to guide your children in making their own creations. Help us welcome The Scrap Exchange as they return to AutumnFest & share in the excitement of creative reuse! Learn more at www.ScrapExchange.org.

Please direct all questions on AutumnFest entertainment to Heather Weeks:
Youth Program Director – Arts Council of Moore County
910-692-2787 | heather@mooreart.org

AutumnFest Rules & Regulations for Vendors & Attendees
(Violations to the rules below will result in being asked to leave the property and possibly banned from attending/participating in future AutumnFests.)

  1. Pets – Friendly, well-behaved dogs are welcome to attend AutumnFest, but they must remain on a leash. (Town Ordinance 99.12)
  2. Non-sanctioned Activities – Unauthorized activities (e.g. selling, busking, advertising, distributing information by strolling through the park) are not allowed at AutumnFest. (Town Ordinance 99.05 & 99.06)
  3. Smoking/Alcohol/Narcotic Drugs – Tobacco & nicotine delivery products, alcohol, & drugs are not allowed on any Town of Southern Pines property. (Town Ordinance 97.02 & 99.08)
  4. Skateboards/Bicycles – Skateboards, roller blades, bikes, & other wheeled vehicles (except for wheelchairs & strollers) are not allowed at AutumnFest. (Town Ordinance 70.07 & 70.08)
  5. Weapons – Firearms, archery equipment, slingshots, paint ball guns, air guns, & other similar devices are not allowed unless the weapon is a lawfully possessed concealed weapon. (Town Ordinance 99.04 & 130.23)
  6. Drones – Unauthorized drones or other UAVs are not allowed at AutumnFest.
  7. Fireworks – Unauthorized fireworks are not allowed at AutumnFest.
  8. Photography Policy – Please respect the original work of the artists. Taking photos without asking and receiving permission is not allowed at AutumnFest. Ask before snapping a photo!

Please thank our sponsors from last year…