Fees

Full service vendors: $500 cash/check ($515 if paid online)

Food trucks: $500 ($515 if paid online)

Snack / drink booths: $250 ($257.50 if paid online)

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Food and Drink Selections

• You are encouraged to sell beverages such as fruit drinks, iced tea, soda, or spring water in addition to your food menu.

• Vendors with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and other dietary restriction-friendly options are appreciated and will be prioritized.

• Children selections are welcome

• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

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Selection Criteria

We will limit the number of food vendors with the widest variety and least overlap that we can, given the applications we receive. Preference may be given for local vendors. 

 

You must agree to follow all of the Montgomery County Health Rules (including, but not limited to, those listed below), as well as the Takoma Park Rules (including, but not limited to, those listed below) and agree to abide by the other rules listed below. Any violation of these rules may result in your removal from the Festival and disqualification for participation in future years.

 

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel by August 15, your entire payment will be refunded. However, if you cancel after August 15 or fail to appear at the Festival, your fee is not refundable.

 

County Health Rules

• If you are accepted as a food vendor, you must have/obtain a Montgomery County Food Service Facility License or apply for and receive a Special Food Service Facility License (also known as a Temporary Event License) from the Montgomery County Health & Human Services Department. This is mandatory—there will be food inspectors onsite checking permits and ensuring that regulations are followed. For instructions and application forms, call 240-777-3986 or visit the county webpage here. 

• The Health Department requires that all food preparation be done onsite unless you have access to a kitchen approved by the Department. If your kitchen is outside Montgomery County, it still must be approved by the Montgomery County Health Department since your food will be vended in our County. If you have questions, call the Health Department at 240-777-3986. 

• You will need to be set up at the Festival by 9:30 a.m. for the Health Department inspection. 

 

Acceptable Containers and Utensils

• The City of Takoma Park has a strict ban on Styrofoam! Vendor Code Chapter 8.12 prohibits the use of Styrofoam and similar food service ware, including #6 plastic cups (e.g. Solo cups). Failure to comply will result in immediate shutdown and dismissal from the Festival. Find more information here. 

• Plastic straws are also banned in Takoma Park. 

• Use only compostable plates, cups, and food containers. 

• We prefer that you bring compostable eating utensils but we will allow plastic eating utensils (spoons, forks, knives). 

• Do not bring Styrofoam, plastic, or containers/cups marked as “recyclable” because we cannot recycle or compost them. 

• TPFF is environmentally friendly, and we recycle bottles and cans.  We will again compost the festival’s food waste, cups, and food containers.   

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Booth / Truck Set-Up Rules

• Booth set up begins at 7:00 AM and booths should be open for service at 10:00 AM. Please do not arrive earlier than 7:00 AM or later than 9:00 AM. All vehicles used to aid in set up should be
  removed from the parking lot no later than 9:00 AM.

• Food trucks may arrive beginning at 8:00 AM and should be on site no later than 9:00 AM. Trucks arriving later than 9:00 AM will be turned away and the vendor fee will not be refunded. 

• You provide your own tables and all other equipment. You will be outside, rain or shine, on blacktop or grass. 

• If you use a deep fryer, you must put a protective covering (such as cardboard) under the area of the fryer to protect the sidewalk, blacktop, or grass from the grease. 

 

Electricity

• We will not be able to supply electricity for this year's festival. You may bring your own generator.

 

Water and Ice

• Water will be supplied through a hose on the loading dock or other locations. 

• The application will include the option to order ice through the festival at $15 per bag. You will have the option to preorder ice when you pay for registration. Otherwise, you are responsible for bringing your own ice. 

 

Grills and Deep Fryers

• All grills must be at least 25 feet away from the building for fire safety reasons. 

• You must take all used (or unused) cooking oil with you to dispose responsibly. You may not dispose of used cooking oil on site – not in the garbage, not on the grass, and not in drains.  

• Vendors who do not responsibly manage their grills and properly dispose of cooking oil will not be eligible to participate in future festivals, as it puts our rental of the site at risk. 

 

Parking

• Parking on-site is extremely limited; all vehicles will need to be parked off-site. 

• We will provide shuttles from off-site parking during morning set up and evening break down if
  needed, but recommend that you plan for logistics if you need to resupply your booth mid-day.

 

Booth Housekeeping and Tear Down

• Please bring one large trash container to put next to your booth. Our volunteers will empty the trash container during the day. 

• You may begin tear down at 6:00 PM. You may move your vehicle at approximately 6:30 PM (once bus pickup has ceased and pedestrian traffic has minimized). Do not start earlier as it is a safety concern and may be disruptive to Festival attendees.

• All trash should be taken with you when you leave the festival grounds. Alternatively, you can
  pay $50 and we will dispose of it (will be included as an option when you pay or may be provided in cash on the morning of the Festival).

• Please finish your teardown by 8:00 PM. 

• Please do everything you can to minimize grease spills. We have to pay extra money to a cleaning crew to powerwash all grease areas.