Alt text: **Photorealistic wide banner promoting “Heritage Trade Demonstrators” for the Kiwanis Wilderness Trail Festival, featuring the Kiwanis International emblem on the left and scenes of artisans demonstrating traditional crafts—basket weaving with a child and blacksmithing with sparks—set against festival tents and mountains, with text noting “No Booth Fee,” “Live Demos Required,” and “Involve Kids.”

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Heritage Trade Demonstrators

Help bring the past to life at the Kiwanis Wilderness Trail Festival—and inspire the next generation through hands-on making.

Apply to Demonstrate Read the Details

What is a Heritage Trade Demonstrator?

A Heritage Trade Demonstrator is a craftsperson, artisan, or maker who practices a traditional skill—often rooted in early American, Appalachian, or historic “shop” trades—and is willing to demonstrate the work live for festival guests.

Think: blacksmithing, woodworking, basket weaving, spinning, quilting, leatherwork, pottery, soapmaking, dulcimer building, rope-making, printmaking, chair caning, glasswork, carving, needle arts, and more—if it’s hands-on, skillful, and engaging, we want to see it.

Demonstrator Benefits

  • Booth rental is waived (no fee)
  • You may sell your wares on site
  • High-visibility area focused on “hands-on” experiences
  • Help keep traditional skills alive—especially for kids

What we require

  • Live demonstrations are required. Guests should be able to see the process—not just the finished product.
  • Engagement matters. Talk with visitors, explain tools/materials, and share the story of your trade.
  • Kid-friendly participation is strongly encouraged. Simple, safe, supervised “try-it” moments make this area magical (for example: stamping leather, hand-spinning wool, sanding a small wood piece, simple weaving, pressing a print, etc.).
  • Safety first. If your trade includes heat, sharp tools, or chemicals, you must have appropriate barriers, PPE, and a safe setup.

What you’re allowed to do

  • Sell your wares (finished items, kits, small tools, etc.)
  • Accept custom orders when appropriate
  • Display examples of your work, process samples, and works-in-progress
  • Share business cards, brochures, and social media links

Great fit for

We welcome individuals, guild members, apprentices, hobbyists with serious skills, and small businesses—especially those with a strong “show-and-tell” spirit.

  • Traditional craft and trade artisans
  • Living history / interpretive demonstrators
  • Folk art makers and heritage skills teachers
  • Local historians with hands-on artifacts or techniques

Helpful to know

  • Setups should be visually engaging and interactive
  • Please plan to demonstrate throughout the event (not only at the beginning)
  • If you need power, water, extra space, or special placement, let us know early
  • We may ask for photos and a short description to promote your booth

Apply to be a Heritage Trade Demonstrator

Ready to demonstrate? Use the sign-up form below (or link to your existing vendor form). We’ll confirm placement and any special requirements.

Apply to Demonstrate Email the Festival Team

What to include in your sign-up

  • Trade / craft name and a 1–2 sentence description
  • What you will demonstrate live
  • How guests (especially children) can participate safely
  • Space needs (tables, tent size, barrier area, etc.)
  • Power/water needs (if any)
  • Photos of your work (optional but helpful for promotion)

Note: Booth rental is waived for Heritage Trade Demonstrators. Demonstrations are required, and kid-friendly engagement is strongly encouraged.