Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is Gypsy Caravan?
Gypsy Caravan is an annual Memorial Day shopping fair presented by the St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association and is one of the largest antique, craft, and flea markets in the Midwest. This spectacular event will take on several parking lots at the University of Missouri–St. Louis campus. More than 300 vendor booths with merchandise vendors from over 20 states will be included, and up to 20,000 people are expected to attend. Gypsy Caravan is presented by the St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association with the cooperation of the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
Q. When is Gypsy Caravan?
Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2011
Early Bird shopping: 7am–9am ($20 admission; children under 12 are free!)
General admission: 9am–5pm ($5 admission; children under 12 are free!)
For the enjoyment of all Gypsy Caravan participants, no weapons, pets, bicycles, rollerblades, or skateboards are allowed within the exhibition area.
Q. What is the address of the event so I can map it online or use my GPS device?
Campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis
1 University Drive
St. Louis, MO 63121
Q. Where can I find directions to the event?
Click here for Parking and Directions.
Q. Is there a charge to park?
Ample free parking is available in lots on both the north and south campuses. Free shuttle bus service is also available.
Gypsy Caravan is located in Lots B, C/D & E and in the Millennium Garage South on the map, which you may view or download here.
Q. Can I use public transportation to get to Gypsy Caravan?
MetroLink: go to the UMSL North Station on the UMSL campus, which is very near an admission gate for Gypsy Caravan on the north side of the event.
MetroBus: Natural Bridge #4 stops across from University Drive, which is also very near an admission gate for Gypsy Caravan on the south side of the event.
Q. How much does it cost to attend Gypsy Caravan?
Early Bird shopping: 7am–9am ($20 admission; children under 12 are free!) Your $20 admission is good for the entire day!
General admission: 9am–5pm ($5 admission; children under 12 are free!)
Please note: We can only accept cash at the gates. Please no checks, credit, or debit cards!
Q. Where do the proceeds for this event go?
Proceeds for the St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association’s largest fundraiser, Gypsy Caravan, go to support the St. Louis Symphony and its education and community programs.
Q. Is there an ATM at Gypsy Caravan?
An ATM is located on campus, northwest of Gate #2 under the building with the large clock tower (Thomas Jefferson Library). There is another ATM located ½ mile north on Florissant Road, and another ½ mile east on Natural Bridge and Lucas & Hunt.
Q. Can I bring my bike or a pet to Gypsy Caravan?
For the enjoyment of all Gypsy Caravan participants, no weapons, pets, bicycles, rollerblades, or skateboards are allowed within the exhibition area.
Q. I have another question that isn’t listed here…can I get a person to answer my question?
The Gypsy Caravan Hotline and Inbox are being monitored as of January 4, 2011. If you wish to receive a vendor application for outdoor or covered space, or if you have a question, please leave your name, phone number and your brief message or question. One of our volunteers will return your call or email as quickly as possible, usually within 24 hours.
Hotline: 314-286-4452
Email: gypsy@stlsymphony.org
For Vendors
Q. How can I become a vendor at Gypsy Caravan?
Click here or call the Gypsy Caravan Hotline at 314-286-4452 and leave your name, address and phone number. We will return your call to confirm the information and will send a contract in the mail.
Request for contracts may also be sent to gypsy@stlsymphony.org; however we can typically respond more quickly to your specific questions via phone.
Q. Can I request a specific space?
Space is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis as we receive completed contracts. However, you may request a specific space on your completed contract, and our volunteers will do our best to accommodate you within the first-come, first-served policy.
Q. What is the deadline to submit an application?
Applications can be submitted up to the weekend of Memorial Day unless we are sold out. If we are sold out, this information will be available on our website and on our Hotline (314-286-4452).
There is a late fee of $50/space for all contracts dated between April 16 and May 27. Between May 28 and May 29, the late fee increases to $75/space and for space purchased on May 30—the day of the event—the late fee is $100/space. The purpose of the late fees is to encourage early contract completion.
Q. What credit/debit cards do you accept for my contracted space?
Gypsy Caravan accepts American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.
We can also accept payment in the form of a Cashier’s Check or Money Order.
Personal checks or Business checks cannot be accepted under any circumstance.
Q. Can I sell food and beverages at Gypsy Caravan?
Food vendors are accepted by invitation only. The Gypsy Caravan committee chooses new vendors based on the needs of the event.
If you wish to apply for consideration as a food vendor please do the following:
Call the Gypsy Caravan Hotline at 314-286-4452 and leave a message with the name of your company, address, phone number and a description of the food items you wish to sell. We will call to confirm the information and discuss any availability.
-OR-
Send your request to gypsy@stlsymphony.org; however we can typically respond more quickly to your specific questions via phone.
If and when you are accepted, local and state health standards will apply. More details are available with the contract information.
Q. I don’t sell concessions, but do sell pre-packaged food items…can I still be a vendor at Gypsy Caravan?
Vendors who would like to sell packaged food items are required to submit different contract materials.
Please contact the Gypsy Caravan contract team by email; or call the Gypsy Caravan Hotline (314-286-4452) to let us know of your interest in becoming a Packaged Food Vendor.
Q. Are tables available to rent from Gypsy Caravan?
No, Gypsy Caravan no longer rents tables to vendors, nor can we act as a liaison between vendors and a table rental supplier.
Q. Can we set up a tent in our space?
Yes, you may set up whatever you wish (tents, tables, vehicles, etc.) as long as it fits within the space for which you contracted, and abides by the restrictions set forth in the Gypsy Caravan Vendor Contract.
Q. Will I get a confirmation that my application for vendor space was received?
Confirmations are sent via email if an email address was included on your contract or via postcard the day they are processed. There may be a delay of several days from the time you mail your contract and when this notification occurs. To check for confirmation you may either call the Hotline at 314-286-4452 or send an email to gypsy@stlsymphony.org.
Q. It is mid-May—are there still vendor spaces available for purchase?
Notification of our “Sold Out” status will be posted on the website and on the Hotline if and when this occurs.
Q. Is there any way to see where my space assignment is located?
Contract information packets are mailed around the end of April with the designated assigned space(s) for each vendor. A map showing the location will also be included in vendor packets. At this time, we do not have vendor site assignment maps posted online.
Q. As a vendor, can I park my vehicle in my space? Where can I park?
You may park your vehicle in your contracted space. Free parking for vendors is available and we do our best to accommodate any special parking requests.
However, there is no driving inside the Gypsy Caravan site after 6am on the day of the event except by special advance permission (please see provisions in the Merchandise Vendor Contract).
Q. Where do I send my completed vendor contract?
Gypsy Caravan
718 North Grand Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63103
Q. I have another question that isn’t listed here…can I get a person to answer my question?
The Gypsy Caravan Hotline and Inbox are being monitored as of January 4, 2011. If you wish to receive a vendor application for outdoor or covered space, or if you have a question, please leave your name, phone number and your brief message or question. One of our volunteers will return your call or email as quickly as possible, usually within 24 hours.
Hotline: 314-286-4452
Email: gypsy@stlsymphony.org
