VENDORS

Important Application Notice

Participation is subject to approval. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the festival. Vendors must meet all event requirements, deadlines, and operational standards outlined in the application.

Fees & Payments Disclosure

All application fees, processing fees, and site fees are non-refundable, regardless of acceptance status, vendor cancellation, weather conditions, or event changes, unless otherwise explicitly stated in writing by festival organizers.

Application and processing fees are non-refundable in all circumstances.

Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance.

If a vendor cancels participation for any reason, no refunds will be issued.

If a vendor pays the full site fee and is not accepted, the balance paid (less non-refundable application and processing fees) will be refunded.

Acceptance Notification

Vendors will be notified of acceptance status by May 15, 2026.

Event Disclaimer

This is a rain or shine outdoor event. Festival organizers are not responsible for sales volume, weather conditions, attendance fluctuations, or individual vendor performance.

Compliance & Permits

All vendors are solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining all required health permits, fire approvals, insurance coverage, and licenses necessary to operate during the event.

Agreement Acknowledgment

By continuing with this application, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the festival’s terms, policies, and vendor requirements, which will be presented in full within the application.

Application & Site Fees

Payment is required at the time of application in order to be considered.

Standard Site Fee

• $1,450 site fee
• + 3.5% processing fee

Total due at submission: $1,500.75

Festival Cancellation & Deadlines

If the festival is canceled or postponed, application and processing fees will not be refunded or rolled over.

Upon acceptance, vendors must complete all required steps by the deadlines provided. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the vendor’s spot without refund.

Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed based on menu variety, operational readiness, and overall festival fit. Vendors may not be accepted for reasons including, but not limited to:

• Running out of food at prior Columbus Food Truck Festival events
• Leaving grease, garbage, boxes, or debris at previous events
• Failure to offer required appetizer or sample-sized items
• Incomplete or inaccurate application submissions
• Opening late or closing early at previous festivals

Festival Services Provided

The festival will provide the following services to accepted vendors:

• Electrical access (details provided after acceptance)
• Gray water waste removal
• Scheduled inspections
• Overnight security
• 24/7 refrigerated cold storage beginning at Friday load-in
• Fresh water fill stations (no direct hookups available)

VIP ticket holders may be granted early access between 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Vendors must be open and serving by 11:00 AM on both festival days. The festival opens to the general public at 12:00 PM.

Vendor Responsibilities

Vendors are responsible for:

• Obtaining all required Ohio health permits and fire approvals
• Passing inspections prior to event opening
• Providing a fully self-contained mobile food setup
• Displaying clear signage and menus during operating hours
• Keeping all areas around and beneath their setup clean and free of spills or grease
• Remaining open and serving their full festival menu during all posted event hours
• Offering at least one appetizer or sample-sized menu item priced at $6 or less, available throughout the entire festival
  

Waste & Cleanup Policy

Vendors must dispose of all waste in designated dumpsters located near the refrigerated storage area.

• Vendor areas will be inspected after the event
• Vendors leaving the grounds without inspection will be fined $300

Cleanup standards will be provided upon acceptance

Permits & Inspections

Vendors must comply with all applicable health and fire regulations.

Vendors from outside Columbus do not need a Columbus permit but must provide valid local permits.

Franklin County Health permits:

https://myfcph.org/food-safety/

Load-In & Load-Out

Final setup instructions will be emailed by August 1, 2026.

• Standard load-in will take place on Friday, August 14, 2026 (time TBD)
• Vendors must be available during their assigned load-in window
• Vendors may not leave the grounds after Friday load-in
• Load-out begins immediately after festival close on Saturday, August 15, 2026
• Vendor areas must be cleaned, inspected, and cleared by 9:30–10:30 PM

Additional Requirements

• Vendors must provide 10 food vouchers for festival volunteers
• No beverages of any kind may be sold or given away by vendors, including water, soda, lemonade, smoothies, or similar items

Violation of the beverage policy will result in immediate removal from the festival without refund and permanent disqualification from future events.

Insurance Requirements

Vendors must carry $1,000,000 in General Liability Insurance and submit a Certificate of Insurance naming the following as additionally insured no later than July 1, 2026:

• Franklin County Agricultural Society
• MGCK FOOD, LLC / Columbus Food Truck Festival
• Kaplan Artists Group, LLC

Indemnification & Liability

Vendors agree to indemnify and hold harmless the festival organizers, MGCK FOOD, LLC, Franklin County Agricultural Society, and affiliated parties from any claims, losses, or damages arising from participation.

Vendors acknowledge participation is at their own risk and that festival organizers are not responsible for financial outcomes, including profits or losses.

By submitting this application, you accept these terms as a legal and binding agreement.

Closing

Thank you for your application and continued support of the Columbus Food Truck Festival. We are proud to host this event for the 14th year and look forward to working together to create an outstanding experience for vendors and guests alike.

— The Columbus Food Truck Festival Team