A summer fete people can find their way around
Bunting makes it look like a fete; signs make it work. Visitors need to find the stalls, the toilets and the dog show, and the cake stall needs every price and every allergen clear.
Summer fete signs and bunting
A summer fete needs bunting across the entrance and the main stalls, A3 arrows from the road and car park, an A4 name sign on every stall, small price labels for the cake sale with allergens noted, and an A3 timetable of events by the gate. Laminate anything outdoors and fix signs with cable ties rather than tape.
Last reviewed 3 October 2026
What a fete usually needs
- 1
This way signs
Arrows from the nearest road, the car park and the bus stop, then signs for toilets, first aid, refreshments and the arena. Put them at every junction where a visitor might hesitate.
- 2
Bunting
Across the entrance, around the refreshment tent and along the front of the stalls. Bright, simple flags in two or three colours read best across a field.
- 3
Stall name signs
Tombola, books, plants, white elephant, guess the weight of the cake: a sign on the front of every table, at the same height, so the fete looks run rather than improvised.
- 4
Cake sale labels
Name of the cake, the price, and which common allergens it contains, such as nuts, milk, egg or gluten. Home bakers can fill in a label as they drop off.
- 5
A timetable board
Opening, the dog show, the tug of war, the raffle draw and closing time, by the gate and at the refreshments. Visitors plan their afternoon around it.
- 6
What the money is for
A sign by the entrance and the raffle saying what the fete is raising money for. People give more when they know where it goes.
Sizes for a fete
| Piece | Size | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Road and car park arrows | A3 (29.7 × 42 cm) | Read from a passing car or across a field |
| Toilet and first aid signs | A4 (21 × 29.7 cm) | Seen from the main walkway |
| Stall name signs | A4 landscape | Fits the front of a trestle table |
| Cake sale labels | About 7 × 5 cm | Folds in front of a plate or a tin |
| Timetable board | A3 | Room for the day's events in a readable size |
| Bunting | 18 × 25 cm flags, one per A4 | Reads across a field; smaller flags suit stall fronts |
Free printables for a summer fete
Bunting for the entrance, price labels for the cake sale and this way signs from the road to the stalls.
Party banner maker
Type your words and print a letter banner: one big letter to each flag, as pennants, swallowtails, squares or scallops. Free A4 PDF to cut and string.
OpenCake sale price labels
Printable cake sale and bake sale price labels: ten pastel 70 by 38 mm labels for brownies, flapjack, cupcakes and more. Change the prices, free PDF.
OpenThis way sign with arrow
A printable direction sign for a wedding or event: Ceremony this way with a bold arrow, on landscape A4. Change the words and the arrow. Free PDF.
Open
Want the fete themed for you?
WallKiwi's bunting maker designs a full set of flags around a theme in one sentence, such as a seaside fete in blue and yellow with lighthouses, ready to print on A4. Designs use credits, and a free account includes some each month.
Questions people ask
What signs does a summer fete need?
Directional arrows from the road and car park, signs for toilets, first aid and refreshments, a name sign on every stall, a timetable of events and a sign saying what the fete is raising money for.
Should cake sale labels list allergens?
It is good practice and many organisers ask for it. Ask each baker to note common allergens such as nuts, milk, egg and gluten on the label. Check current guidance for food at charity events where you are.
How do I keep paper signs dry outdoors?
Laminate them with a sealed edge and fix them with cable ties through punched holes. For road signs, back them onto a rigid board so they do not fold in the wind.
Can I put signs on lamp posts and road verges?
Rules on signs on the highway vary and permission is often needed, so check with your local council first. Signs on private land need the owner's agreement, and take every sign down after the event.
How much bunting does a fete need?
Measure the entrance and the stall fronts you want to dress, then add a little for the dips. A flag every 18 to 20 cm on the larger size is a good guide for working out how many sheets to print.