Deerfield Fair Issues Alert Over Vendor Email Scam

Anyone who’s ever set up a table at the Deerfield Fair knows the excitement that builds in the weeks leading up to Oct. 1. Vendors start counting inventory, polishing signage, and—unfortunately—checking their inboxes for last‑minute details.

What they’re seeing now, however, isn’t a friendly reminder from the fair’s organizers. It’s a slick, seemingly official email that says something along the lines of, “We’d love to have you join us this year—please send $400 to confirm your spot.” The tone is polite, the logo looks right, and the deadline feels urgent.

Fair officials are waving a red flag. In a statement released Thursday, the Deerfield Fair Association said the message is a fraud, and that they never ask vendors to wire money via email. If you get that kind of request, delete it, ignore it, and certainly don’t click any links.

Sadly, this isn’t the first time the fair’s name has been misused. Earlier this year, a similar scam made the rounds, and a handful of small business owners reported losing money before realizing they’d been duped. The scammers are getting better at copying branding, which makes the job of spotting the fake a little trickier.

So what can you do? First, double‑check the sender’s address. Official communications always come from a @deerfieldfair.org domain, never a generic Gmail or Yahoo account. Second, look for the little details—misspelled words, awkward phrasing, or a request for a wire transfer are big red lights. And finally, when in doubt, call the fair office directly. A quick phone call can save you a lot of headaches (and dollars).

In short, stay skeptical, keep your receipts, and protect your business. The Deerfield Fair is a community tradition, and nobody wants a scam to tarnish the experience for the vendors who make it happen.