North Country Zine Fest

The Zine Scene @ Lake City Arts Fest
Saturday, August 22, 11am-4pm
Strand Center Gallery

Launched in 2024, the North Country Zine Fest has been an annual celebration of zines, artist books, prints, and other paper goodies! Our Fall event will return in 2027 and in the meantime we’re so excited to host The Zine Scene at the 5th Annual Lake City Arts Fest this summer!!

What’s a zine?!

So, WHAT exactly is a zine? A zine could really be ANYTHING.

A zine (pronounced “zeen”) is a self-published print-work that is typically produced in small, limited batches. (Think magazines.) Zines are created and bound in many DIY ways, but traditionally editions are easily reproduced—often by crafting an original “master,” and then photocopying, folding, and stapling the pages into simple pamphlets. Zines may also be sewn, taped, glued—or even exist in unbound and other non-folio formats. The main rule is that there are NO RULES!

“Zinesters” (people who create zines) are likely to be more motivated by self-expression and artistic passion than they are by profit: zines are usually inexpensive and sometimes distributed for free or in trade for other zines. The history of zines is super fascinating!

Zines can touch on a variety of topics from music and art, to politics, to self-portraits, and MORE! Their content may be written, drawn, collaged, or any other form of combining words and imagery. A zine really could be ANYTHING.

Call for Zinesters!

Do you create zines? Join us in Plattsburgh, New York to bring your work to a new audience! Attendees will be coming from all over the northeast including: NY, VT, PA, and Canada!

Readers here in the North Country are eager to experience perspectives from outside our rural environment! Diverse voices are welcome!

We look forward to having you joining us! If you have any questions, please reach out to us: zinefest@strandcenter.org

Event Details for Vendors

Day of timeframe: Saturday, August 22, 2026
- 9-11am: setup
- 11am-4pm: vendor fair & DIY zine station
Table Fees & Details
- Full table - 6ft: $45
- Half table - 3ft (share with another vendor - you can say who you want to share with if you know and if not, we will pair you randomly): $25
- Vendors are encouraged to bring their own tables. We do have a limited number, please note in your application if you need to borrow one.
- No wall space. Gallery walls will have an exhibition on display - more details soon!
Vendor Application Timeline
- June 28: vendor applications due
- July 1: notifications go out to vendors
- July 17: payment due
- August 22: EVENT!!

Vendor Application:

FAQs

There will be a bunch of tables set up around the gallery at The Strand. Behind each table will be a zinester/vendor showcasing their zines and other items available for sale. You can chat with them, look at their zines, and buy what you are post interested in! It’s a really fun environment filled with cool, creative folks from all different backgrounds. Some zines may look really polished and fancy and others may be homemade and DIY and that’s the beauty of zine fest!
The fest itself will run from 12PM - 5PM. From 3-5PM there will be an interactive option for attendees who want to make their own zine, using materials supplied by The Strand.
Established in 1892 by the State of New York amid concerns for the water and timber resources of the region, the Adirondack Park covers an area larger in size than Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Canyon, and the Great Smokies National Parks combined. The Park encompasses millions of acres of public, constitutionally protected forest preserve, as well as privately owned land.
While Plattsburgh is not located within the ADK Park boundaries, it is nearby, and zine fest attendees should definitely plan to spend some time in the beautiful nature surrounding our region! There are opportunities to camp, hike, swim, paddle, birdwatch, and more.
- Water bottle - The Strand has refill stations & we want you to stay hydrated!
- Cash - Some vendors may only accept cash, so it’s good to have some on hand. Other payment options may be available, but they depend on each vendor and what they’re set up to accept.
- Your own zines - Some vendors may be interested in trading a copy of their zine for a copy of yours.
- Curiosity - Each zine fest brings together a different group of people. You might encounter zines that make you think or smile (we certainly hope so!) or even challenge you in some way. Zine fests are a great place to make new friends and learn about new topics - we encourage you to keep an open mind & embrace your creativity!