Get Involved

Get Involved

Fossil Fest Friend

Show your support by becoming a North Carolina Fossil Festival Friend! Open to individuals who would like to invest $100 (plus a processing fee of $3.50) to help make the 2024 NC Fossil Fest a success. The NCFF Team will recognize friends before, during, and after the NC Fossil Festival on signage, through social media, and on the NCFF website!

Become a 2024 NCFF Friend today to support the Aurora Fossil Museum and have a chance to own a totally FIN-tastic megalodon tooth!

The drawing will occur on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at 5 pm EST from the Main Stage of the 2024 NC Fossil Festival. You don’t have to be present to win; the winner will be contacted immediately following the drawing, and arrangements for delivery of the tooth will be made.

All proceeds from this NC Fossil Festival Friends fundraiser will support the museum’s operation, employ our fantastic staff, and continue our educational mission.

Become a Fossil Fest Friend

Vendor Opportunities

Commercial Food Vendor spaces are designated for those who will be preparing food on-site and selling to patrons/festival-goers.

Apply

Food Vendor spaces are designated for those who will be preparing food on-site and selling to patrons/festival-goers.

Apply

Food Vendor spaces are designated for non-profits who will be preparing food on-site and selling to patrons/festival-goers.

Apply

Food Vendor spaces designated for Local (Aurora and Richland Township, NC) non-profits who will be preparing food on-site and selling to patrons/festival-goers.

Apply

Space for Arts & Crafts Vendors Categories:
Artists may apply for up to 3 categories.
  • You MUST submit a separate application for each type.
  • If you sell jewelry, you may apply in a category other than Jewelry if the jewelry is less than 10% of your items for sale. Otherwise, you must apply in Jewelry.
  • All work displayed in the booth must be for sale.
Clay: Original clay and porcelain work, functional or sculptural.
 
Fiber: Includes wearable and non-wearable. No machine-tooled, machine-screen printing or other forms of mass production are accepted.
 
Glass: Functional and sculptural work is accepted. Kiln forming, blowing, molding, casting, and all cold working processes are permitted.
 
Jewelry: Only those artists accepted in the jewelry category may display or sell jewelry. Items made from commercial parts are not permitted.
 
Metal: Sculptural or decorative work made from metal. No jewelry will be accepted in this category.
 
Mixed Media: Work which combines materials from two or more mediums in one piece.
 
Musical Instruments: Handmade instruments only.
 
Natural Materials: This includes basket weaving, chair caning, brooms, gourds, and other works made from materials found in nature.
 
Photography: Includes traditional film photography, hand-colored images, emulsion transfers, and digital photography. Only the artist’s original source material is acceptable.
 
Printmaking: Only hand-pulled original prints are allowed. Prints must be in limited editions, signed, and numbered.
 
Sculpture: Three-dimensional work using additive or subtractive processes in a single medium.
 
Two-Dimensional: Drawing, painting, and digital works. Reproduction prints are not allowed.
 
Wood: Original works hand-tooled, machine worked, turned, or carved.

Apply

These spaces are designated for Non-Profit Arts & Crafts vendors.
 
Categories:
  • Artists may apply for up to 3 categories.
  • You MUST submit a separate application for each type.
  • If you sell jewelry, you may apply in a category other than Jewelry if the jewelry is less than 10% of your items for sale. Otherwise, you must apply in Jewelry.
  • All work displayed in the booth must be for sale.
Clay: Original clay and porcelain work, functional or sculptural.
 
Fiber: Includes wearable and non-wearable. No machine-tooled, machine-screen printing or other forms of mass production are accepted.
 
Glass: Functional and sculptural work is accepted. Kiln forming, blowing, molding, casting, and all cold working processes are permitted.
 
Jewelry: Only those artists accepted in the jewelry category may display or sell jewelry. Items made from commercial parts are not permitted.
 
Metal: Sculptural or decorative work made from metal. No jewelry will be accepted in this category.
 
Mixed Media: Work which combines materials from two or more mediums in one piece.Musical Instruments: Handmade instruments only.
 
Natural Materials: This includes basket weaving, chair caning, brooms, gourds, and other works made from materials found in nature.
 
Photography: Includes traditional film photography, hand-colored images, emulsion transfers, and digital photography. Only the artist’s original source material is acceptable.
 
Printmaking: Only hand-pulled original prints are allowed. Prints must be in limited editions, signed, and numbered.
 
Sculpture: Three-dimensional work using additive or subtractive processes in a single medium.
 
Two-Dimensional: Drawing, painting, and digital works. Reproduction prints are not allowed.Wood: Original works hand-tooled, machine worked, turned, or carved.

Apply

Space for Fossil/Mineral Vendors

Apply

Spaces available for Local Commercial Merchandise Vendors. This category is limited to ONE vendor representing a particular re-sale business, commonly referred to “network marketing”.

Apply

Spaces available for Local (Aurora/Richland Township, NC) Commercial Merchandise Vendors.
 
This category is limited to ONE vendor representing a particular re-sale business, commonly referred to “network marketing”.

Apply

Spaces available for Local (Aurora/Richland Township, NC) nonprofit organizations to sell items to support their organization’s mission.

Apply

Spaces available for Nonprofit Organizations to sell items to support their organization’s mission.

Apply

Non-Profit Informational booths are reserved for non-profit organizations not selling items.
 
If you are a nonprofit selling items, please go to the Non-Profit Services – Fundraising Application.

Apply

These spaces are reserved for non-profit organizations fundraising (like selling raffle tickets) to support their organization and to raise awareness of their community services.

Apply

Volunteer Opportunities

Every journey begins with setting up, and our festival is no different. We will need help to prepare the 2024 North Carolina Fossil Festival for its grand adventure!

Set-Up Volunteers will help with the following:
— Arrange tables, chairs, and tents to their respected places
— Placing signage and hanging banners
— Assist with other tasks that will prepare the festival for the rest of the weekend

Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: A 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2024 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!

Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis. So sign up ASAP!

Apply

The primary activity of any visit to the Aurora Fossil Museum and the NC Fossil Festival is searching for fossils in the museum’s fossil pits. Must be outgoing, able to be outside in the full sun for the duration of each shift, and must know about fossils frequently discovered in the Aurora Fossil Museum’s Fossil Pits.

Fossil Pit Crew will help with the following:
— Monitor the fossil pits to ensure the safety of festival participants
— Identify and educate fossil hunters about the fossils they find.

There are three fossil pit locations:
— Main Pit: located at the corner of Main & Fourth Streets, across from the Aurora Fossil Museum
— Back Pit: located next to the Aurora Fossil Museum’s parking lot
— Kids Pit: located on Main Street beside the Aurora Fossil Museum’s Learning Center

Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: A 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2024 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!

Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP!

Apply

Even if you don’t run in the 5k, consider being part of the Fossil 5k Crew to rev your day!

Fossil 5k Volunteers will help with the following:
— Pack Leader and Turtle
— Set up guides to ensure runners stay on the path
— Filling water stations so no one gets dehydrated
— Cheering runners on at finish line
— Cleaning up any trash after the run is over

Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: A 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2024 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!

Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP!

Apply

Do you like to help keep the Earth clean and happy? Want to help keep the festival area clean? Then consider volunteering to collect trash!

Trash Crew Volunteers will help with the following:
— Monitor and pick up trash in and around the festival footprint
— Monitor and empty trash cans as they become full

Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: A 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2024 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!

Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP!

Apply

Are you a people person? Do you have an outgoing personality? Are you good at answering questions and providing information? Then help out as one of our Info Station Crew!

Info Station Volunteers Should:
— Welcome people entering the festival
— Encourage donations to the Aurora Fossil Museum
— Ask festival attendees to complete a survey
— Market and sell NC Fossil Festival merchandise
— Assist festival attendees with the event map and schedule of events/activities

We will have three(3) Information Booth locations:
— Corner of Pearl & Third Streets (Alpha-Main Entrance)
— In front of the Aurora Fossil Museum (Bravo-408 Main Street)
— Corner of Fifth & Main Streets (Charlie)

Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: Receive a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2024 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!

Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP!

Apply

SUNDAY ONLY. Sign up to assist our Program Developer with STEM-based activities for all to learn and enjoy.

Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: Receive a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2024 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!

Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP!

Apply

Are you a people person? Do you have an outgoing personality? Are you good at answering questions and handling boxes of shovels? Then help out in the Gift Shop!

Gift Shop Volunteers Should:
— Welcome people entering the Main Building of the Aurora Fossil Museum and Outdoor Gift Shop
— Assist Museum Staff with handling Gift Shop items
— Market and sell NC Fossil Festival merchandise
— Encourage donations to the Aurora Fossil Museum
— Assist festival attendees with general festival & museum questions.

We will have two Gift Shop locations:
— 400 Main Street (Inside the Main Museum Building)
— Fossil Park Picnic Shelter

Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: Receive a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2024 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!

Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP!

Apply

On Memorial Day, the Aurora Fossil Museum will host a Veteran’s & First Responder’s breakfast to show our appreciation of those who have served and serve our country and the Aurora Community.

Veteran’s & First Responder’s Breakfast Crew will help with the following:
— Setup and prepare the Aurora Community Building on Sunday for the Monday breakfast.
— Monday morning prep
— Cleanup and ensuring all tables, chairs, and other related items are taken down after the breakfast is over on Monday.

Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: A 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2024 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!

Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP!

Apply

A festival doesn’t end until all evidence is gone! So, help us conclude the festival by being helping out on the Post-Festival Crew!

Post-Festival Crew will help with the following:
— Remove tables, tents, and chairs
— Organizing and preparing equipment for storage
— Pick up remaining trash
— Assist with other tasks to ensure the museum and town grounds are clean and orderly

Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: A 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2024 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!

Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP!

Apply

Ssshhh! It’s time for the Silent Auction and its time to we need your help!

The Silent Auction Crew will help with the following:
— Set up, monitor, and provide information about the auction items
— Provide directions on how the silent auction works
— Assist with silent auction sign-up
— Assist with post-auction processing and clean-up

Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: A 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2024 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!

Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP!

Apply

Since the early 1900s, the Town of Aurora has been known for its parades. You can be part of the Aurora tradition by helping with the NC Fossil Festival Parade!

Parade Volunteers will help with the following:
— assisting the Parade Committee with tasks before, during, and after the parade
— assist with parade float and vehicle line-up
— post-parade clean up of parade route

Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: Receive a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2024 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!

Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP!

Apply

Kids Zone Crew will help with the following monitor, lead, and assist with youth activities

Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: Receive a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2024 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!

Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP!

Apply

While parking isn’t the most fun position to volunteer for, it is one of the most valuable places we can use your help!

Parking Volunteers will help with the following:
— Guide cars to parking spots within designated festival parking areas
— Ensure the safety of people driving and walking in parking lots
— Greet people and direct them to the Information Booths.

There are three festival parking zones
— General Parking
— Volunteer/Vendor Parking
— Handicap Parking

Volunteer Perks:
4+ hours: A 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
6+ hours: Receive lunch on us and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt!
12+ hours: Receive lunch on us, a 2024 NC Fossil Festival Crew shirt, and a 2024 NC Fossil Festival shirt!
20+ hours: Receive all of the above, PLUS A 2024 NC FOSSIL FESTIVAL CHALLENGE COIN!

Each volunteer slot is on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up ASAP!

Apply

Become a STEAM Partner

Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Apply to become a STEAM Partner for the NC Fossil Festival.

Learn More

Jurassic Classic

Enter the NC Fossil Festival Jurassic Classic bike ride on TBA.

More Info

NC Fossil Fest 5K Run

The NC Fossil Fest 5k Run will take place on TBA.

The Virtual 5K will take place from TBA.

More Info

Silent Auction

Bid on fin-tastic items in our Silent Auction!

More Info

Parade

Apply to participate in the North Carolina Fossil Festival Parade which will occur at TBA.

Apply

We Want to Hear From You

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Title Sponsor:

© 2023 NC Fossil Festival

We make every effort to ensure this website is built to be as accessible as possible for all of our visitors. If you have any concerns about the accessibility of this website, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Events are rain or shine and subject to cancellation without notice.

Privacy Policy

Web Services Provided by Channel Marker Media and 57 Marketing

Ticketed Activities
Festival Map
Facebook Instagram