Greetings, Community Service Organization:

The 31st annual Takoma Park Folk Festival will take place on Sunday, September 14, 2008, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Festival will again be held at Takoma Park Middle School on Piney Branch Road, one block north of Route 410. As preparations for the 2007 Festival begin, we invite your non-profit organization to reserve a spot for your Community Table. Click here for an application.

The deadline for receipt of applications and full payment of fees is Friday, August 1.

The Community Tables area provides a forum for community organizations to interact with the public by distributing literature and answering questions. In the past, we have enjoyed attendance of about 5,000 people.

Community Table space is available only to non-profit organizations, and we reserve the right to disallow the display of items considered inappropriate to the community nature of the Festival.

There are two categories of fees:

Type A: $40.00 - This fee entitles non-profits to use the Community Table as a forum to educate the public about the organization and/or issues. Groups may request signatures for petitions, enlist volunteers, and distribute free literature. Groups may not collect funds nor sell memberships.

Type B: $55.00 - The fee entitles non-profits to use the Community Table as an information forum (as above), and also to sell memberships and request contributions. Groups may sell items directly related to their mission, such as T-shirts, literature, buttons, and bumper stickers. However, the selling of jewelry, food, or crafts of any kind is prohibited.

Table space will be designated on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply promptly. The table spaces are approximately 10x10 ft. You must bring your own chairs and protection from the sun and rain. We will provide you with one 8' table. The Festival is held rain or shine, and the tables remain outdoors regardless of the weather.

Here are the important deadlines and schedule for participation this year:

• Application due on August 1, 2008. Applications are not considered complete without payment.
• Email confirmation of your completed application will be sent. You also will be informed about your participation status (in, waiting list, or not eligible).
• In early September you will receive a parking pass and instructions. Note that parking passes are for loading and unloading only. You will be required to park off-site, and we will arrange for a designated area that is available to you.
• You can set up your booth from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on Festival Day, September 14.

If you have any questions, please e-mail me at tables@tpff.org or call the Folk Festival at 301-589-0202. We hope to see you in September.