Among the biggest attractions to any successful event are the vendors. This has become clearly evident to organizations like the Matlacha Mariners as they begin making plans for future events.

At this time, the Mariners are busy organizing the 10th Annual Southwest Florida Music Festival and the group is asking island vendors to show their support for a good cause, use the event to introduce their business to a bigger audience and enjoy an afternoon of some of the best music the nation has to offer. This year, the Mariners have opted to stage the popular event at a larger venue and will be moving the festival off-island to the German American Club in Cape Coral.

“We have outgrown our previous location and needed a bigger facility,” said Mariner president Wayne Reed. “We see this as an opportunity to allow more vendors to participate in the festival and showcase what the island has to offer. We are particularly interested in attracting more art and craft vendors so that those attending the event will get a real sense of the creative spirit found on Pine Island.”

The festival will take place Saturday, Nov. 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Vendors will be able to set up at the German American Club the day prior to the event or in the morning before the gates open at 11:30 a.m. Those who prefer to set up on Friday evening can do so from 2 to 4 p.m. when members of the Mariners will be on hand to meet the vendors and instruct them as to where they are to set up. On Saturday morning, those setting up can do so from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Other vendor requirements are as follows:

— All alcoholic beverage sales are an exclusive function of the Matlacha Mariners

— All tents or canopies should be white. If all you have is another color, it will be accepted

— Leashed vendor pets are the only pets allowed at the festival site

— No vehicles are permitted inside the festival perimeter one hour prior to the gates opening or during festival hours. There will be a vendor parking area nearby

— All vendors are required to remove all waste from their sites (including such things as cooking oils, paper, etc.)

Vendors also will need to supply specific items for their booths if they are needed such as tables, chairs, lights, fire extinguisher and a 100-foot minimum extension cord. The Mariners will supply 110v, 20a, to vendor areas primarily for lights and fans.

Locations will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and a 10 X 10 foot standard space will be $95 if paid by Oct. 1 or $115 for those paying by Nov. 1. Each additional 10 X 10 space will cost $45. Parking and admission to the festival will be free to vendors and this year’s line-up of musical acts are sure to draw crowds from near and far. This year’s national acts include Moreland and Arbuckle from the country’s heartland; award-winning soloist Robin Rogers; Motor City Josh and the Big 3, who are known to attract crowds young and old; Shane Dwight from Northern California; the Beat Daddys, who originally hailed from southern Indiana; saxist Terry Hanck; Arkansas’ JP Scars and the RedHots; and Pine Island’s own Deb and the Dynamics.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Pine Island Elementary School music programs and other island charities.

Vendor spots are limited to 40 spaces and the deadline for reservations is Nov. 1. For more vendor information or to file an application, visit matlachamariners.org or call Ross Stornello at 282-1442 or Orion Anderson at 283-6490.