We are in great need of volunteers for the 2026 Mum Festival! As most of you know, this historic event almost ended in 2015. Thanks to a public outcry, and the Exchange Club of Bristol CT stepping up, our city’s marquee event was saved. The City of Bristol has also provided an annual grant to ensure that the Mum Festival is supported. This is where you come in! We need your support on our Mum Festival Committee to keep this event going. Whether it is serving on our All Volunteer Committee, or just picking an event to help out on during the Festival, is so critical to the Festival’s survival. As many of our committee members will tell you, it’s a lot of fun, especially giving back to your community.
Thank you for your submission! Our Volunteer Director will respond to you. For any reason you do not hear back, email us at MumFestivalBristol@gmail.com.
Please complete the Vendor Application below for the 2026 Spring Fling Arts and Craft Fair, on March 28, 2026 at the Bristol Senior Center. This show sold out early last this year, and we had a waiting list, so get your applications in early!!
Your message has been sent! You will receive a notification from the Vendor Administrator.
Process:
Once you are approved, you will be sent a payment link by the Art & Craft Chairperson.
One (1) 6′ Table $45.00. All Vendor spaces are approximately 8’w x 7’d.
A non-refundable fee of $45.00 is required for each table spot. If you need Electric, it is $5.00 per spot. We prefer that you pay online, however if you are paying by check, make the check payable to “Bristol Mum Festival’. Please note “Arts & Craft Fair” on your check.
Setup is the morning of the event between 7:00 – 8:30 am. Vendors must be completely set up by 9:00 am. If you should need help unloading your vehicle, please let us know under the Application “Other Details” when completing the Registration.
Please do not mount, tape, or nail anything to the walls.
Participation is required for the entire event. No early breakdowns unless approved by the Event Chairperson. Breakdown will begin at 4:00 pm and not before.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase during the event.
Vendors are responsible for leaving the area in the same condition as found.
We will not be held responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged merchandise or any injury incurred during the Craft Fair, which includes setup and breakdown.
No offensive or inappropriate products/wording allowed!! We reserve the right to reject any items that do not follow this rule.
We look forward to having you at our event!!
We reserve the right to reject any items that do not follow the process stated above.
“Beware of Scams!! Please note that the Mum Festival is the only event accepting vendor applicationsfor our Spring Fling Arts and Craft Fair on March 28, 2026.”
Below is the list of winners for performance and float categories for the 2025 Bristol Mum Festival Parade. Thank you to all of the 60+ parade units who participated in this year’s event!
I. Best Overall, Given in Memory of Bob Bailey: Sphinx Shrine Motor Patrol
II. Music and Marching Awards
H.S. Marching Band, 1st Place: Bristol Eastern High School
H.S. Marching Band, 2nd Place: Terryville High School
H.S. Marching Band, 3rd Place: Bristol Central High School
MUM FESTIVAL 2025 By Tom Lagasse, Bristol Poet Laureate
Once in Bristol, on Chippen’s Hill, there was a rainbow of chrysanthemums that captivated visitors and locals alike, which forever made us the self-proclaimed Mum City.
Like us, mums too, arrived here as immigrants, whose seeds traveled across an ocean and became part of us. Hardy, diverse, they twinkle on overcast days, shine like jewels in the autumn sun, and withstand cold nights when frost, that layer of ice, maims
Or kills the gardens we tended with care. They are survivors.
More than half a century ago, several of Bristol’s supporters believed there was a need to recognize the town’s bouquets where many
more saw a weedy, fallow field. Now, different boosters continue the tradition of celebrating the town’s health, acknowledging what it gets right. This thankless work to celebrate who we are flower, stem and root, is a party for us, complete with a parade,
Where marching bands and dancers join veterans, and members Of our faith and government institutions. Where our current and future leaders, our lineage, our history is on display.
Along the sidewalks, regardless of weather, we applaud in gratitude and pride. Here we can remember not only who we are but what we share, a desire to have things be a little better for young and old alike.
And here, on Memorial Boulevard, when the laughter and joy
Of children and young people on carnival rides fills the night sky, we can only hope this appeases the ghosts, our ancestors,
Whose names are etched on the plaques and monuments That line this road. They gave their lives fighting
for freedom and against tyranny, as they watch over us.
As we begin this year’s festival, remember the sturdy mum. its historic use is to both beautify and heal. It is not,
as it once was, to be mistaken for a common weed. This is who we are, in art, in sport, and in enterprise – hardy and resilient – we are all chrysanthemums.
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors! If you are interested in becoming a 2025 Sponsor, please complete the Sponsor form at 2025 Sponsor Application: Please Select this Link.
Sponsor the 2025 Mum Festival!
Download the 2024 Sponsor Form: (For donations over $500.00) 2025 SPONSOR APPLICATION: Please Select this Link
Jason Fields Andy Adams Debbie Schur Donna Damm Dognin Maria Salice Brianna Longo Natalie Wright Cummings Karl & Dianna Tack Sue Berard Sue Gendreau Sue Radke Harley Graime Dave Rackliffe Sue Radke Shannen Cianci Lara Nichols Sarah Sullivan Barbara L. Bajurny
Many Thanks to All Our 2025 Sponsors!
Please consider being a Sponsor for the 2025 Mum Festival!
OUR STORY: The Mum Festival has been an epic fall festival in Bristol’s history. Once known as the Mum City, Bristol was famous for this colorful flower, and through the years proud Fall festivities were put on by residents for all in the region to enjoy! The Festival is Sponsored by the City of Bristol and Directed by the Greater Bristol Exchange Club. One of the premiere festivals in New England!
This is where you come in! In order to do the Festival justice, we are approaching you to be one of the many great and necessary sponsors to pull off the considerable size and scope of this effort. With you on board, we can create a memorable event for thousands of Mum Festival goers, encouraging thousands to experience the many layers of festival offerings over a 4-day action packed weekend. In a sponsorship role, this great event will provide your business or organization exposure to thousands of people, in addition to tens of thousands of impressions through our advertising and event efforts leading up to the big weekend. The 2016 Mum Festival and Parade drew well over 50,000 visitors!
All sponsorships will be tax deductible via 501(c) 3 non profit event partner, The Bristol Exchange Club. If you are interested in sponsoring or would like more info please contact: Jason Fields: E: jgfields@att.net P: 860.707.6286
What: Over the course of the weekend the 2018 Mum Fest will feature dozens of vendors from area businesses, crafters, local producers, restaurants, food trucks, community organizations, non profits, and museums, in addition to games, children’s programming, adult beverages, fireworks on Friday, all-day live music and entertainment, a car show and so much more!
Where: The event will be held in downtown Bristol at Memorial Boulevard Theatre field and the surrounding area, where parking, including handicap parking, will be available too. Parking will also be available at Associated Spring, the Depot Square (former mall) lot, other municipal lots, and on-street, where available.
Join In!: We are offering you the unique chance to support this wonderful opportunity for our Bristol and Connecticut communities to gather, create memories, and contribute to Bristol’s positive efforts to become a destination. This exciting event reinforces the City and Chambers’ efforts to promote downtown as a destination, and we hope that it will encourage everyone to join in and help our region rise to new heights!
We hope you can join this effort to put on this amazing festival in the heart of our state for all to converge, and we thank you for your time and support in advance. There’s just one last thing we’d like to say, “Mum’s the Word”…
All sponsorships will be tax deductible via 501(c) 3 non profit event partner The Bristol Exchange Club. The Bristol Mum Festival is made possible by The Bristol Exchange Club and The City Of Bristol. The Bristol Exchange Club is a tax exempt organization under the 501(c)(3) IRS Code.
Free Parking will be available at the following locations for the Mum Festival:
Saturday and Sunday
Old Webster Bank Parking Lot on Riverside Avenue (150 Main Street).
Bristol Health Parking Lot on Hope Street is available at the following hours: Friday after 4:30 PM Saturday after 2:00 PM Sunday: Please note that the parade starts to line up at 11, so the Hope street entrance will be closed during the parade.
Board of Education Parking Lot on Church Street
Church Street Commuter Lot by the Board of Education
Express Kitchens (former Barnes Group Parking Lot) and 10 Main Street
BAIMS Magnet School Parking Lot on South Street (Handicap Parking Only)
BAIMS Magnet School Parking Lot on Willis Street Extension is available at the following hours: Friday after 5:00 PM Saturday after 5:00 PM Sunday starting at 12:00 PM
Parking is also available on side streets as always. Please follow all parking regulations.
First Student Bus
****Mum Festival Bus Schedule****
Pick Up & Drop Off:
Saturday September 27th
Shuttle Bus—runs 12:00 – 9:30 pm
Pick Up & Drop Off:
Start/Stop: American Legion Parking Lot (22 Hooker Court off Riverside Avenue)
Riverside Realty, 165 Riverside Avenue (Next to Bristol Water Department)
Corner of Riverside and Main Street at Bus Stop (Next to Bristol Health)
Commuter Lot next to the Board of Education building on Church Street
10 Main Street/Express Kitchens (former Barnes Group) by ATM machine on South Street
Bristol Arts & Innovation Magnet School -BAIMS (South Street parking lot)
10 Main Street/Express Kitchens (former Barnes Group) by ATM machine on South Street
Commuter Lot next to the Board of Education building on Church Street
Corner of Riverside and Main Street at Bus Stop
American Legion Parking Lot
Bus will continue the loop from 12:00 – 9:30 pm
Sunday, September 28th
Shuttle Bus—runs 12:00 – 6:30 pm
Pick Up & Drop Off:
Start/Stop: American Legion Parking Lot (22 Hooker Court off Riverside Avenue)
Riverside Realty, 165 Riverside Avenue (Next to Bristol Water Department)
10 Main Street/Express Kitchens (former Barnes Group) by ATM machine on South Street
Bristol Arts & Innovation Magnet School -BAIMS (South Street parking lot)
10 Main Street/Express Kitchens (former Barnes Group) by ATM machine on South Street
American Legion Parking Lot
Due to the Mum Parade, the roads are closed on the parade route, so we will only have partial pickup and drop locations. After the Mum Parade, we will resume the regular route that is listed for Saturday. Busses will run to 6:30 PM.
Hope you enjoy the 2024 Mum Festival Video created by Steven Seymour. The 2025 Mum Festival will be held on September 26, 27 & 28 at the Memorial Boulevard, Mark your calendars for another great event!! The 63rd Mum Festival!!Another MUM-tastic Time!!
Our Vendor Application will be posted in April, so save this site to your favorites for everything Mum!!
The Bristol Mum Festival, founded in 1961, is the city’s marquee event, and is produced by the Exchange Club of Bristol, CT. The Mum Festival is always the last full weekend in September. The Mum Parade is held each year on the Sunday of festival weekend, and each year’s theme is announced in the spring.
For more information, or to get involved in the festival or the parade, visit www.BristolMumFestival.com.
We hope you can join this effort to put on this amazing festival in the heart of our state for all to converge, and we thank you for your time and support in advance. There’s just one last thing we’d like to say, “Mum’s the Word…!”
All sponsorships are tax deductible via 501(c) 3 non profit event partner The Exchange Club of Bristol CT, Inc. The Bristol Mum Festival is made possible by The Bristol Exchange Club, The City Of Bristol and our Sponsors. The Exchange Club of Bristol CT, Inc., is a tax exempt organization under the 501(c)(3) IRS Code.
Become a full Sponsor by completing our mail-in application:
The Bristol Mum Festival 