Applications are open
Exhibit at the Orange County Children's Book Festival
Booth spaces for authors, illustrators, bookstores, and literacy-related nonprofits, plus space for food truck vendors
Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026 • 10 AM–3 PM
Orange Coast College • Costa Mesa, CA
"Our booth is always busy with visitors."
"The festival setup is well organized and full of activities that engage the community and its families. I look forward to our next event."
Kevin Ballinger
President, OCC Friends of the Library (sponsor & exhibitor)
Exhibitor Booth
What It Is
A booth for promoting or selling books and connecting with young readers and families at the festival
Who It's For
Authors, illustrators, bookstores, and literacy-related nonprofits
Schools interested in exhibitor booths can participate through sponsorship (details coming soon). The festival does not accept vendors selling crafts or other items.
How Applications Are Reviewed
- Release date and public interest
- Subject or topic
- Appropriate age range (0–12 years)
Booth Options
Author's Corner Table • $225
1 table • 2 chairs
Each author receives an individual table space and back wall area within a shared covered booth.
10' x 10' Standard Booth • $650
1 table • 2 chairs • 1 booth banner
10' x 10' Nonprofit Booth • $750
1 table • 2 chairs • 1 booth banner
10' x 20' Booth • $950
2 tables • 4 chairs • 1 booth banner
20' x 20' Booth • $1,295
8 tables • 8 chairs • 1 booth banner
20' x 20' Bookstore Booth • $1,500
8 tables • 8 chairs • 1 booth banner • includes electricity
Booth Details
- All tables provided are 8 feet long.
- Table coverings are not provided.
- Electricity is only available for Bookstore Booths.
- Additional tables and chairs may be requested for an extra fee ($10 per 8-foot table and $2 per folding chair). Please note that Author's Corner spaces are limited to one table and two chairs.
Applications
Application Window
Feb. 1–Apr. 1, 2026
If space fills, a waitlist may be available after April 1, 2026.
What You'll Need to Complete the Application
- Authors/Illustrators: Book title + age range
- Short bio or organization description
- Book cover or logo image (max 10 MB) for the festival directory
- Contact info + website/social media links
Exhibitor Application Steps
- Submit the exhibitor application form.
- Receive a decision by email.
- If approved, pay the registration fee using the link in your approval email.
Please note: Booth space is only reserved once payment is received, and payment must be submitted within two weeks of approval.
Questions about exhibiting?
View the Exhibitor FAQs or email occbf@ccc.edu
Food Truck Space
Food truck vendors are invited to apply for a rental space at the festival.
How Applications Are Reviewed
Because space is limited and we aim for variety, applications are reviewed based on:
- Kid-friendly menu offerings
- Family-friendly pricing
- Diverse and appealing food choices
Food Truck Space Fee
$250 per truck
Food truck vendors must provide their own power, health permit, and insurance. Loud generators are not permitted.
Applications
Application Window
Feb. 1–Apr. 1, 2026
If space fills, a waitlist may be available after April 1, 2026.
What You'll Need to Complete the Application
- Short description of the types of food you offer
- Logo image (if available; max 10 MB) for the festival directory
- Copy of your Orange County Health Permit
- Copy of your food truck license plate
- Contact info + website/social media links
Food Truck Application Steps
- Submit the food truck application form.
- Receive a decision by email.
- If approved, pay the registration fee using the link in your approval email
Please note: Booth space is only reserved once payment is received, and payment must be submitted within two weeks of approval.
Food truck questions?
View the Exhibitor FAQs or contact Phi Nguyen at pnguyen1148@cccd.edu
Sponsorship
Details coming soon
FAQs
About the Festival
What makes this event so popular?
This one-day festival, held from 10 AM–3 PM, is free to the public, including parking, and features a wide range of children's authors, illustrators, storytellers, family-friendly entertainment, and fun activities.
Since 2004, the Orange County Children's Book Festival has built a reputation for bringing families together for a lively day of books, entertainment, and activities.
How many people come to the event?
The Orange County Children's Book Festival is a free event open to the entire community, and we anticipate a few thousand attendees throughout the day.
Where is the festival located?
The Orange County Children’s Book Festival takes place outdoors on the Orange Coast College campus in the Main Quad.
Address: 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, California 92626
Will the event be canceled if it rains?
No. The festival takes place rain or shine.
Applying and Fees
How do I apply to participate as an exhibitor or food truck vendor?
Review the information on our Exhibitor page and complete the online application.
The application window is February 1–April 1, 2026. If space fills, a waitlist may be available after April 1, 2026.
Once your application is reviewed, we will email you a decision. If approved, you can submit your registration fee using the link provided.
How much does it cost to participate as an exhibitor or food truck vendor?
Current pricing is available on the Exhibitor page.
To stay updated on festival details, join the email list if you haven't already.
When is my booth or food truck space reserved?
Booth and food truck space is only reserved once payment is received. Payment must be submitted within two weeks of approval.
Can I share a booth?
Yes, booth sharing is allowed, but we do not assign shared booths. Author's Corner Tables may not be shared.
If you choose to share a booth, please follow these guidelines:
1. Each participant must submit their own application.
Please include a note listing the people you plan to share the booth with so everyone can be properly listed on the festival website.
2. One full payment is required for the booth.
We will accept a single payment for the full booth fee from one participant. It is your responsibility to arrange any cost-sharing among your group. Your booth will not be confirmed until full payment is received.
3. Standard booth furnishings are still limited to the assigned booth package.
Each 10' x 10' booth includes one identifying banner, one 8-foot table, and two chairs. You may request additional tables and chairs for an extra cost. Only one banner will be printed, so your group will need to decide how it should read. You may also bring additional banners to display within your booth.
4. Booth sharing is at your own discretion.
If you choose to share a booth with others, the Orange County Children's Book Festival is not responsible for any issues that may arise from that arrangement.
When will setup and arrival details be provided?
Setup, arrival, and other event-day logistics will be shared closer to the event once details are finalized.
Booth Details and Rules
What's included with a standard booth?
A standard booth includes:
- A covered booth with a full back wall and two half side walls
- A banner with your name
- One 8-foot table for a 10' x 10' booth or two 8-foot tables for a 10' x 20' booth
- Two folding chairs per table
- The option to request additional tables and chairs for an extra cost ($10 per 8-foot table and $2 per folding chair)
- Flexibility to set up and decorate your booth to better engage attendees
- A listing on the festival website
- Opportunities to connect with other authors, illustrators, and exhibitors
- Exposure to a few thousand attendees, including families who care about books, reading, and education
What's included in an Author's Corner Table?
Each author receives an individual table space and back wall area within a shared covered booth.
Please note: Author's Corner Tables are limited and tend to sell out quickly.
Each author receives:
- One 8-foot table
- Two folding chairs
- Flexibility to set up and decorate their 8-foot space to better engage attendees
- A listing on the festival website
- Opportunities to connect with other authors, illustrators, and exhibitors
- Exposure to a few thousand attendees throughout the day, including families who care about books, reading, and education
Are tablecloths provided?
No. Each booth is responsible for bringing its own table coverings.
Can I request additional chairs or tables?
Yes. Additional tables and chairs may be requested for an extra cost ($10 per 8-foot table and $2 per folding chair). Please note that Author's Corner spaces are limited to one table and two chairs.
Can I bring my own table?
Every booth includes at least one table, but you may bring your own if you need an additional table.
Please note: Author's Corner spaces cannot accommodate extra tables or chairs due to limited space.
If you would like the festival to provide additional tables or chairs, the fee is $10 per 8-foot table and $2 per folding chair.
Tablecloths are not provided.
Do I need to bring an EZ-Up or shade?
All festival exhibitors and Author's Corner participants are set up in covered tented spaces.
As the sun shifts throughout the day, there may be times when sunlight reaches your booth directly, so we recommend bringing a visor or hat and sunscreen.
Is Wi-Fi available?
Yes. Orange Coast College offers an unsecured guest Wi-Fi network.
Because connectivity cannot be guaranteed, we recommend using your own secure mobile network whenever possible.
Is electricity available?
No. Electicity is not available for most booths. Only Bookstore Booths have access to electricity.
Food truck vendors must provide their own power. Loud generators are not permitted.
Can I host an author in my booth?
Yes. You may host as many authors as you would like in your booth.
If you would like us to include them on the festival website, please email occbf@cccd.edu with their names.
Can I display posters or other marketing materials in the Author's Corner?
Yes. You may place banners, posters, and other materials behind your table against the back wall of the Author's Corner booth.
Please be mindful of neighboring authors and keep your display within your assigned space.
Are pets or other animals allowed in exhibitor booths?
No. Pets and other animals are not permitted in your booth. Only trained service animals are permitted.
Authors, Illustrators, and Programming
Can authors and illustrators sell books during the festival?
Yes. We encourage authors and illustrators to sell their books at the festival.
How many books should I bring?
That is up to you, but authors who tend to sell well at the festival usually create some kind of engaging experience for attendees.
Because families have many opportunities to buy books during the event, we recommend making your booth presence fun, inviting, and easy to notice.
Book pricing can also make a difference. Lower price points or special offers, such as buy-one-get-one promotions, often lead to stronger sales.
Can I do an author reading?
Because stage time is limited, author readings and presentations are not guaranteed.
Once approved for an exhibitor booth, authors and illustrators will automatically be considered for stage programming. There is no separate request form to submit.
Stage presentations are selected by July 1 based on fit with one of the festival's three stages. The committee considers each book's theme as well as the presenter's ability to offer meaningful content and engaging entertainment for attendees.
If you would like to share a video of yourself giving a presentation or author reading, you are welcome to email it to occbf@cccd.edu.
Selected presenters are contacted individually by email, and final stage announcements are made before August 1 to meet publication deadlines.
Exhibitor questions: Email occbf@cccd.edu
Food truck questions: Contact Phi Nguyen at pnguyen1148@cccd.edu
