Fees

Full service vendors: $450 

Food trucks: $450 

Snack / drink booths: $225 

​​

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.

• Vegan and Vegetarian options are welcome to add options for festival attendees.

• Children selections are welcome

• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

​

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. 

 

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel by August 1, your entire payment will be refunded. However, if you cancel after August 1 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 also 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 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.   

​

Booth Set-Up Rules

• 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. 

• 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.

 

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 if needed, but recommend that you plan for logistics if you need to resupply your booth. 

 

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 6:30 pm. You may move your vehicle at approximately 7:00 pm (once bus pickup has ceased). Do not start earlier because it is disruptive to people who are entering or leaving the Festival grounds. 

• We have a central trash drop-off location, and you are responsible for getting your trash to that location or taking it out with you. Do not leave with trash still in your area. 

• 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.