Stronger Together: Collaborating Around Local Festivals & Markets
- ameliaprintdesign
- Aug 14
- 4 min read
One of the best and most natural times for small businesses to collaborate is during community events. Amelia is full of charming, homegrown festivals that bring out the crowds — and that means opportunities to connect, cross-promote, and grow your audience together.
Even if you're not vending at the event, there are still ways to get involved: co-host a pop-up nearby, offer themed promotions leading up to it, or collaborate with another business who will be attending.
Here are some upcoming events in Amelia County with creative ideas for partnering up:
Parking Lot Party by 1AuctionManRVA
August 30
1AuctionManRVA Parking Lot
In-store deals, Food Trucks onsite, lots of vendors
This is a great opportunity for vendors as the vendor fee is a donation to one of the following local charities: Amelia Food Pantry, Helping Hands, or the Amelia County Christmas Parents
Collab Ideas:
Food truck + retail vendor = all-day draw. Pair good eats with in-booth specials.
Auto-related businesses could offer quick car check-ups, free tire pressure checks, or giveaway car care kits with a coupon to return.
Local musicians could coordinate live sets with vendor “happy hours” for special pricing.
October 11
Windsor Lavender Farm
This fragrant fall event is a great match for makers, artisans, and anyone who sells nature-inspired or self-care products.
Collab Ideas:
A sourdough bakery could create lavender honey loaves or scones for pre-order.
A boutique could feature lavender-themed candles or spa kits with locally sourced goodies.
Partner with another vendor to create bundled gift sets — we can help with custom tags, stickers, and packaging for that handcrafted feel.
Local photographers could offer “Mini Lavender Sessions” for couples or families.
Partner with a wellness coach or yoga instructor for lavender-scented mats and a pop-up relaxation class.
Oktoberfest by Books & Beans
October 18, 8AM–12PM
Books & Beans Parking Lot
This cozy morning market is the perfect place to blend warm drinks, good reads, and local flair.
Collab Ideas:
A coffee shop and bakery could offer “Bread + Brews” bundles — think pumpkin muffins + a pumpkin spice coffee blend.
Bookstore + print shop = a pop-up for custom bookmarks, journals, or reading trackers.
Host a “Brew & Browse” loyalty card that encourages customers to visit all participating vendors.
Collaborate on themed photo backdrops (fall leaves, cozy reading nooks) to encourage social sharing.
Invite local musicians for acoustic sets to create a warm, inviting vibe.
Southside Spirits & Music Festival by the Amelia Lions Club
October 18, 1:30PM
Amelia County Fairgrounds
With music, spirits, and a big afternoon crowd, this is ideal for cross-promos between restaurants, makers, and entertainment-driven vendors.
Collab Ideas:
A restaurant could partner with a local musician for a pre-event brunch or after-party.
A hardware store could create rustic-themed DIY kits for tailgating or backyard entertaining.
Branded drink tokens, custom wristbands, or signage to tie promotions together.
Team up with a distillery or brewery to create limited-edition tasting glasses or co-branded merch.
Food vendors could collaborate with makers on tasting boards, snack pairings, or recipe cards.
Amelia Harvest Festival by the Amelia Tractor Club
November 8
Amelia Court House Green
This long-standing hometown favorite draws families, farmers, crafters, and tractor lovers alike.
Collab Ideas:
A print shop (👋) could team up with local makers to offer exclusive Harvest Fest merchandise — shirts, mugs, or stickers.
Hardware stores, feed shops, or ag-based services could share booth space with kid-friendly partners like face painters, a corn-bin play area, ag-themed learning station, or snack vendors.
Co-branded flyers or postcards with event maps, vendor specials, or coupons for post-festival visits.
Farm-to-table restaurants could partner with farmers for fresh produce boxes available for pre-order and pickup at the event.
Christmas at the Park by Ace Promotions
November 28 – December 20 (Friday & Saturday Nights)
Tom Scott Park
When the sun sets, the park transforms with a grand illumination, Christmas favorites, craft vendors, food, music, and Santa visits.
Collab Ideas:
Partner with a photographer for a “Santa + Shopping” mini-session bundle.
Co-create themed hot cocoa kits with mugs, cocoa mix, and holiday cookies.
Work with a decor vendor to set up a branded, photo-ready holiday scene.
Create a “Christmas Passport” card where attendees collect stamps from participating vendors to enter a giveaway.
Holiday Shopping Fair at Windsor Lavender Farm
December 13
Windsor Lavender Farm
Free event with 100+ craft vendors, food trucks, and Farm Santa — the biggest holiday shopping event of the year at the farm.
Collab Ideas:
Bundle holiday gift sets with multiple vendors (e.g., candle + tea + handmade ornament).
Offer a “Shop the Fair” tote bag with coupons from multiple participating booths.
Host a holiday-themed raffle where shoppers earn entries by purchasing from several vendors.
Create limited-edition packaging (gift tags, stickers, wrapping) for collaborative gift bundles.
Want to Be Featured? Let’s Build a Community Vendor Calendar
We have a free downloadable print + digital calendar of upcoming vendor events in the Amelia area — a resource to help:
Local shoppers find events to attend
Small businesses plan their own promotions
Makers and vendors connect with new selling opportunities
📥 Download the Monthly Calendars here:
September 2025:
October 2025:
November 2025:
Check Back Soon!
December 2025:
Check Back Soon!
Know of an event we missed? Planning to vend and want help with signage or booth materials? Want to be added to the calendar?
Reach out at ameliaprintdesign@gmail.com, send a DM on Facebook, or leave a comment below.
We’ll keep updating the event calendar and sharing it throughout the season.
Whether you’re bundling products, co-hosting pop-ups, or just cheering each other on — fall is the perfect time to collaborate and connect.
Bonus: Extra Vendor Tips for Festivals & Markets:
Prep your booth early: arrive with plenty of time for setup so you’re relaxed when the crowd arrives.
Use vertical space: shelves, crates, and signage make your booth more visible from a distance.
Have clear pricing: use tags, chalkboards, or small signs so shoppers don’t have to ask.
Bring backup payment options: cash change, card reader, and a QR code for digital payments.
Offer small “grab & go” items for impulse buys.
Collect contact info: have a sign-up sheet, QR code, or giveaway to grow your customer list.
Engage with your neighbors: nearby vendors can be your best collaborators and referral sources.
And remember — if you need event signage, flyers, stickers, branded packaging, or anything to make your setup stand out, Amelia Print + Design is here to help!
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