Crunchy Culture Fest: Participant Information

Saturday, 10/4/25 @ Honey House

Please arrive between 8am-9:30am to set up. Bring your own tables and a tent with weights (if you have one). See all logistics below.

Directions: Honey House is located at 91 S Milwaukee Ave, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 right off Milwaukee Ave. It's a bit tucked away which is what makes it so awesome (but also easy to miss). If you're driving north, it's a right turn after the light on American Hotel Register road, or a left if you're driving south (before the light). Look for a bright yellow mailbox; we'll try and get some balloons and a sign for day-of.

  • Contact: Jane (847) 227-7593 or Anita (847) 962-0692. I'm your main point of contact for Saturday, but if you can't reach me and it's urgent, please contact Anita who is the owner of Honey House.

1. LAYOUT: Most participants will be set up on the grassy garden area. At the bottom of this page is a map of everyone's space (numbers assigned on the second page). Anita and I, along with her staff, will be there to direct everyone. We may make slight adjustments the day of. 

PLEASE do not set up your tent before confirming your placement with us the morning of. It is crucial to make sure we line up correctly to ensure good flow and safety for our attendees. We don't have extra tables or tents, so please remember to bring your own! As of now, there is very little chance for rain, so just a table should work fine for anyone that doesn't have a tent. Remember to bring weights for your tents. 

2. SET UP TIME: 8:00AM-9:30am You can pull up onto the main lawn area to unload, but please have your vehicle parked and out of the way at 9:30AM at the latest to ensure that we are ready to go by the 10am start time. I would advise to unload your car/equipment, park your car, and return to set up. You will be directed on where to park your car. Unless we discussed previously, please arrive within the set up window, and plan to stay for the duration of the event. If you are running late, notify me IMMEDIATELY so we can safely get you where you need to be. There are a lot of moving pieces (and people) so cars can't be driving on the lawn once the event starts. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUNCTUALITY IN ADVANCE.

3. PARKING: Please note that to allow for customer parking, you can NOT keep your car behind your spot, and that includes any family/friends that may be assisting you for the whole event. If you have helpers with their own vehicles, they should park in the designated area for vendors. We encourage carpooling with your family/friends if possible. If you have a booth-mate coming separately, please share their name with me.

4. ACTIVITIES/WORKSHOPS/MUSIC: We have an amazing range of activities throughout the event thanks to so many of you! I will be sending the full schedule soon and sharing it publicly. We'll plan to have a designated spot called "Crunchy Cove" for some of our sessions, while others will be held at the booths. There will be a "Kids Garden" area with games and nature-themed storytimes (courtesy of Matchmaker Bookshop!). We'll have talented local musicians playing the "Gazebo stage" in the morning and afternoon with a break from around 12pm until 1pm, and I will schedule other breaks around the sessions that need a quieter environment.  

5. FOOD OPTIONS: You won't go hungry at Crunchy Fest! We have gathered some incredible "crunchy-conscious" food vendors along with coffee and other refreshments for purchase; support them if you can! Remember to bring water bottles; it's looking like a nice and toasty October day!


6. HONEY BEE-INGO! We'll be doing a fun scavenger-hunt activity for kids at the event to encourage them (and their families) to stop by all your booths. We'll hand each of you a mini bee/garden stamp, and kids will get a board for collecting each stamp. If they get them all, they'll earn a bee-themed prize. The stamps are small; try to find a safe spot and not lose them. :)


7. RESTROOMS: Please note that 
restrooms inside Honey House are for vendors/fest partners only. We'll be getting a portapotty with a water station for attendees.

8. FORECAST: It's looking like a hot and sunny day as of now. Plan accordingly!

9. PROMOTION: It's the last big push for promotion throughout the week!  

  • I revealed the fest schedule of events (attached) and I'm doing a "Books and Beverages" contest on social to get the word out in these last few days. All of you can enter/comment/tag friends (I won't tell you have insider info!) Thanks, Matchmaker Bookshop and Fluffy Bunny for the prizes! 

  • Photo sharing: Let's help each other grow! If you take photos/videos, please share and tag @crunchyculturechi @honeyhouse_ab (and any other fest participants you make friends with!) I believe I follow most of you, but feel free to share your handle with me if not. Of course, it's most important that you enjoy the fun day and meet some amazing people! If anyone has any friends that are good at photography and want to take some photos at the event (doesn't have to be a pro) please reach out to me - there will be perks involved!

10. Digital Goody Bag: I plan to make a landing page or send out a dedicated email with digital offers from partners that wish to participate for attendees to redeem. Thank you to those of you who sent me your offers already! If you'd like to be included. please send me your offer and how attendees can redeem (promo code, specific page, in store, etc.).