So you have been accepted to participate at the nightly Sunset Celebration, congratulations and welcome! here are some things you should know

Your first night selling:

All crafts-persons and food vendors are required to have a sales tax ID number from the Florida Department of Revenue. These can be acquired from the Florida Department of Revenue on Big Coppit in The Veloso office Building Suite 101 by the elementary School. the cost is $5.

They can also be ordered online for no charge at www.Myflorida.com/dor/eservices/apps/register you may look up your new sales tax id number online 3 days after applying. You should receive the certificate in the mail in 10 days.

Your sales tax ID license must be shown to the Pier Manager on the first night of set up. Participants must keep tax status up to date. Food participants must also bring a copy of all necessary licenses to sell food items as required by the State of Florida and the City of Key West

Your first night as a participant:

Come to the pier one half hour before lottery time (in other words, approximately two and a half hours before sunset. This time is posted on the website www.sunsetcelebration.org). Be prepared to show your sales tax number (partners must both be listed on the tax ID form), and appropriate licensees if required, and you will be required to sign a release form and pay your nightly setup fee (currently $10.00). You must be there on time to pick your number otherwise you will have to wait until everyone else has picked their space before you will able to choose yours

You must set up within thirty days after having been approved by the PC Committee or else you will be required to re-jury at another PC meeting.

The Pier Manger:

The pier manager is hired by the board of CPS. He is the AUTHORITY ON THE PIER. If you have any questions or problems he is the one to talk to. He runs the lottery, resolves disputes, and stops harmful activity; and has the authority to suspend participants for bad behavior. The Pier Manager has a phone at the Kiosk. That number is (305) 292-7700. If you have a problem with anyone at the pier please call the pier manager first rather than confront the person yourself.

At lottery time the horn will be sounded (sounds like a dying duck) and everyone gathers to pay their nightly fee and to draw a number. (The number determines the order in which you chose your setup location, more on that later) There are 4 levels of seniority.

• The participants who have participated for more than 180 days and who have been moved up to regular status draw first. They draw from a can labeled “regulars” and which contains the numbers 05 to 50,

• Snowbirds in waiting (people who have participated from 150 to 180 days, or people who have participated for 180 days and are still waiting for a space to open up in regular status) draw keys from a labeled can containing the numbers 50 to 70.

• The snowbirds (people with between 61 and 150 days) draw from a can with the numbers between 71 to 90.

• The Newcomers (YOU) chose from the can holding the numbers 90 to 120.

Once everyone has drawn numbers, the numbers are called out starting from 05, 04… 01, 0, 1, 2… and going up. When your number is called, step up to the map of Mallory pier and hang your number on the map where you want to set up. After you hang your number you can set up, and begin selling. Ask some one for help if you are confused.

Set-up spaces are eight feet wide and six feet deep. The front of your display must not extend beyond the “front line” which is different for each section; ask your neighbors what is being used as the front line in your section (or just look down the row). The bricks on the pier can be used as reference points to see how wide your set up space is. The center line of the wide white strips separate the spots. Please leave room around your display for free passage so as not to infringe upon your neighbor's space. The front three feet of your display (measuring from the front line) can be no higher than four feet and the back three feet can be any height.

Each participant must be on site for the entire time his or her display is set up at the Sunset Celebration. You are entitled to a helper but you must be present to sell. No more than two people can be working at each table and please, no hawking is allowed.

Behavior at the pier:

It is your responsibility to be aware of the rules, regulations, and requirements to set up at the Sunset Celebration.

For a complete list of the rules and guidelines go to www.sunsetcelebration.com/members. Generally if you use common sense and are courteous to others you are OK. A few rules you should keep in mind are:

• You are required by the official rules to be honest about the products you are selling.

• An ongoing pattern of abusive, discourteous or drunken behavior is grounds for the revocation of membership and the right to participate in Mallory Square sunset celebration.

Authorities at the pier:

Sunset Celebration is operated and managed by the Key West Cultural Preservation Society, Inc. (CPS), a not for profit corporation. The CPS operates the daily Sunset Celebration in accordance with our lease of Mallory Square Dock with the City of Key West.

Membership:

We urge you to take the extra step and become a member of CPS. There are many advantages, such as, you will also be able to use our Credit Card facility for your sales as well as be listed on the Sunset Celebration website. Membership also means being involved in the running of the organization through your votes as well as being able to sit on a committee or run for office.

GOOD LUCK, PARTICIPATE, ENJOY!!!!

PC Committee, Cultural Preservation Society