Discover 19th century textile history!
Date: Saturday, September 5th, 2026
Enjoy demonstrations, meet local artisans, and sign up for a flax processing workshop to learn how linen was made by hand.
Regular Admission rates apply. Workshops will require separate, pre-purchased tickets.
Check back later for further details about this event.
Apply to be a Demonstrator or Vendor!
Fanshawe Pioneer Village’s Textile Fair aims to connect visitors with local artisans and inspire them to keep textile traditions alive! We’d love to include you on this special day!
Please read the following descriptions, then fill out the webform to participate in the Textile Fair as a Demonstrator, Vendor, or both!
Demonstrators
Are you an experienced textile artist? Do you enjoy interacting with the public? Apply to share your skills and passion with visitors to the Textile Fair!
Practitioners of all textile disciplines are welcome to apply, whether your artform is traditional, contemporary, tied to the region, or international.
Demonstrators will be selected in order to represent a balance of disciplines, and three spaces are reserved for BIPOC artists.
Demonstrators can also apply to be a Vendor in the Artisan Market. If this is the case, your activities can be centralized to one location. Please see below for further details about Vendors.
Unless you are also registered as a Vendor, Demonstrators may not sell products at their booth. However, they may promote their textile club, guild, or studio.
Demonstrations will take place across the Heritage Village, indoors and outdoors (weather dependent). Booth locations will be allocated upon confirmation.
Demonstrators are encouraged to bring their own tents, tables and chairs, if applicable. A limited number of tables and chairs will be available for Demonstrators and will be allocated upon confirmation. Please note that the Village is not able to provide tents, materials or equipment.
Demonstrators are encouraged to stay for the duration of the event (10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Demonstrator booths with hazardous equipment must be staffed at all times, so Demonstrators should consider whether they will need to bring an additional individual for lunch breaks, etc.
There is no fee to participate as a Demonstrator.
Vendors
Come share your creations with a museum full of textile enthusiasts! Apply to be a Vendor at the Textile Fair’s Artisan Market!
Sellers of textile artworks, tools, materials and apparel are welcome to apply.
A booth must be comprised of no less than 50% textile-related products. Additional products which compliment the theme of the event are acceptable and are at the discretion of the event organizer.
The textile disciplines represented by a Vendor booth may be traditional, contemporary, tied to the local region, or international.
Please note that Vendors will be selected in order to represent a balance of products, and that three spaces are reserved for BIPOC Vendors. Indigenous Vendors are exempt from the Vendor fees listed below.
A Vendor can also apply to be a Demonstrator. If this is the case, your activities can be centralized to one location. Please see above for further details about Demonstrators.
The Artisan Market will take place at the Village’s Victoria Park. If the weather precludes outdoor activities, it will take place inside the Heritage Buildings. Booth locations will be allocated upon confirmation.
Vendors are required to bring their own tents, tables and chairs, if applicable. Limited spaces with electrical access are available.
Vendors must be able to accept cash transactions.
Booths must be staffed at all times, so vendors should consider whether they will need to bring an additional individual for lunch breaks, etc.
Vendor booths must stay open for the duration of the event (10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Vendors are responsible for obtaining and providing proof of vendor/exhibitor insurance.
Successful applicants will pay the following Vendor Fees:
Space without Electricity: $60.00
Space with Electricity: $70.00
Deadlines
Applications will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis until the deadlines, so submit early!
Application deadline: Sunday, June 7th, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Acceptance email deadline: Monday, June 15th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Additional Information
Successful applicants will receive further details in an Information Package.
Click HERE to learn more about Fanshawe Pioneer Village.
For applicants with heat sensitivity, please note that the Heritage Buildings do not have air conditioning. Click HERE to learn more about Accessibility at the museum.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Reilly Knowles (Public Programming Coordinator) at programming@fanshawepioneervillage.ca or 519-457-1296×811.