Thank you for your interest in participating in the 21st Annual Fried Green Tomato Festival in historic Juliette, Georgia.
Please review the following guidelines before submitting your application.
Eligibility
- We encourage vendors offering handcrafted, handmade, and artisan-created products, as these items help showcase the unique character and charm of the Fried Green Tomato Festival. However, quality wholesale and resale merchandise is also welcome and will be considered as part of our vendor selection process.
- Flea-market items are not accepted.
- Festival organizers reserve the right to determine the appropriateness of all merchandise.
- All work displayed must match the photographs submitted.
Application Process
- A completed vendor application and payment must be submitted by the published deadline.
- Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis; however, acceptance is based on product quality, originality, and maintaining a balanced variety of vendors.
- Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance.
- Accepted vendors will receive confirmation and event information prior to the festival.
Booth Spaces
- Standard booth spaces measure 12' x 12' unless otherwise specified.
- Vendors must provide their own tents, tables, chairs, display fixtures, extension cords, and lighting if needed. Do not tape, tack, or otherwise affix any materials or signs to walls, trees, lamp posts or other surfaces on public or private property. Canopies may be anchored by cinderblocks, sandbags, or tent weights only. No ground stakes are permitted.
- Drilling or puncturing the street surface is strictly prohibited.
- Vendors must keep all displays within their assigned booth space and may not obstruct walkways or neighboring booths.
- The distribution or sale of literature, promotional materials, merchandise, or samples outside an assigned booth space is prohibited.
Setup & Breakdown
- Vendor setup may begin Friday evening between the hours of 6pm and 9pm and on Saturday morning between the hours of 6am and 9am. All booths must be fully set up and operational by 10am both Saturday & Sunday morning and remain open until 4pm both days.
- Vendors will receive designated setup times and instructions prior to the event.
- All booths must be fully set up and operational before the festival opens to the public.
- Vehicles must be removed from the festival area immediately after unloading.
- Early departure is not permitted. Vendors are expected to remain open and staffed throughout festival hours.
- Breakdown may begin only after the official closing time and when authorized by festival staff.
- When vacated, booth space must be left clear of paper, packing materials, or other refuse. Do not discard cartons or packing materials anywhere downtown or in the festival area. These items must be stored in your vehicle and taken with you upon departure.
Merchandise Requirements
- Vendors may sell only the items approved through the application process.
- The sale of counterfeit goods, offensive materials, weapons, illegal items, alcohol, tobacco products, or controlled substances is strictly prohibited.
- Festival organizers reserve the right to require removal of unauthorized merchandise.
Booth Appearance
- Vendors are encouraged to maintain an attractive, family-friendly, and professional presentation.
- Storage containers, packaging materials, and personal belongings should be kept out of public view whenever possible.
- Booth spaces should be clean, organized, and reflective of the quality of the festival.
Electrical Access
- Limited electrical access may be available in select areas and must be requested in advance.
- Vendors requiring electricity must provide heavy-duty outdoor extension cords and comply with all safety requirements.
- Generators may only be used with prior approval from festival organizers.
Prohibited Merchandise & Activities
The following items may not be sold, displayed, distributed, or promoted:
Illegal drugs
Drug paraphernalia
Tobacco products
Nicotine or vaping products
Alcoholic beverages (unless specifically authorized)
Firearms
Weapons
Ammunition
Fireworks
Explosives
Smoke bombs
Stink bombs
Poppers
Silly string
Merchandise promoting violence or criminal activity
Merchandise containing hateful, discriminatory, obscene, or offensive language or imagery
The Festival Committee reserves the right to prohibit any additional item deemed inappropriate for a family-friendly public event.
Political Activities
The Fried Green Tomato Festival is a non-political community event. The following are prohibited:
- Political campaign booths
- Candidate endorsements
- Political advertising
- Campaign materials
- Political fundraising activities
Festival management reserves the right to remove any display or activity that violates this policy.
Sound & Amplification
- Megaphones are prohibited.
- Loudspeakers and amplified sound systems require prior approval.
- Radios and music must be kept at reasonable levels.
- Excessive noise or disruptive activities are prohibited.
Festival staff may require vendors to reduce or discontinue sound at any time.
Recreational Devices
The following recreational devices are not permitted within festival areas:
- Bicycles
- Scooters
- Skateboards
- Roller skates
- Roller blades
- Similar wheeled devices
Exceptions may be made for mobility devices used for accessibility purposes.
Safety Requirements
- All tents must be secured with adequate weights to withstand wind and changing weather conditions.
- Fire lanes and emergency access routes must remain clear at all times.
- Vendors are responsible for maintaining a safe environment within their booth space.
- Open flames and hazardous materials are prohibited unless specifically approved.
Weather Policy
- The Fried Green Tomato Festival is a rain-or-shine event.
- Vendors should prepare for varying weather conditions and secure merchandise accordingly.
- No refunds will be issued due to weather-related conditions or acts beyond the festival's control.
Festival Conduct
- Vendors are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous and professional manner.
- Respect for fellow vendors, volunteers, festival staff, local businesses, and attendees is required.
- Failure to comply with festival guidelines may result in immediate removal from the event without refund and may impact future participation.
Taxes
Each exhibitor is responsible for collecting the state sales tax and filing a report with the local Department of Revenue.
SPECIAL NOTE: Juliette is in a rural area and most cell phone carriers do not have coverage. If you plan to use an app for credit cards payments you may need to make other arrangements. AT&T works well, Verizon does not.
We appreciate your interest in being part of the 21st Annual Fried Green Tomato Festival. Your creativity and craftsmanship help make this beloved Juliette tradition a memorable experience for the thousands of guests who visit each year. We look forward to welcoming you to our festival family!
Thank you for your interest in participating as a food vendor at the Fried Green Tomato Festival. Our goal is to provide festival attendees with a safe, enjoyable, and diverse food experience while ensuring compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations.
Please review the following guidelines carefully before submitting your application.
Eligibility
Food vendors include any vendor offering food or beverages intended for immediate consumption during the festival, including but not limited to:
- Prepared meals and entrees
- Sandwiches and specialty foods
- Fried foods and concessions
- Baked goods and desserts
- Candy and confections
- Coffee, tea, lemonade, and specialty beverages
- Soft drinks and bottled water
- Packaged foods intended for on-site consumption
The Festival Committee reserves the right to limit the number of vendors offering similar menu items to provide a diverse selection for attendees.
Application Requirements
To be considered, food vendors must submit:
- A completed Food Vendor Application
- Full payment of applicable vendor fees
- A complete menu listing all food and beverage items to be sold
- A copy of all required business licenses
- A copy of current liability insurance
- A copy of any applicable food service permits or certificates
Incomplete applications may not be considered.
Health Department Requirements
- Food vendors are responsible for obtaining all permits required by the Monroe County Health Department and the State of Georgia.
- Vendors must comply with all local, county, and state health regulations, including temporary food service requirements.
- Copies of permits must be available for inspection during the festival.
FOOD PERMITS
Any vendor preparing or serving food must obtain a temporary food permit from the Monroe County Health Department at least two (2) weeks before the festival. This is the sole responsibility of the vendor. Call (478) 993-3081 for more information.
Food permits are $75 for the first day and $20 for each additional day.
All vendors selling food products must check in directly with the Monroe County Health Department to ensure compliance with current regulations. Vendors are solely responsible for obtaining any required permits or approvals before the festival.
Menu Approval
- Only food and beverage items listed on the approved application may be sold.
- The Festival Committee reserves the right to approve, deny, or limit menu items to avoid duplication and maintain a variety of offerings.
- No substitutions or additions may be made without prior written approval.
Booth Space & Setup
- Standard food BOOTH vendor spaces 12 x12.
- Food vendors are responsible for providing their own:
- Tents or canopies
- Tables and chairs
- Cooking and serving equipment
- Fire extinguishers
- Extension cords and hoses, if approved
- Handwashing stations, when required
- Trash receptacles for their booth area
- All equipment must fit within the assigned space.
Food Truck Requirements
Food trucks are welcome to apply and are subject to all festival rules, regulations, and applicable health and safety requirements.
In addition to the general Food Vendor Guidelines, food truck operators must comply with the following:
- Vehicle Information
- Food truck applicants must provide the following information with their application:
- Business name
- Contact information
- Vehicle make, model, and overall dimensions (including tow vehicles, trailers, awnings, and serving windows)
- Electrical requirements, if applicable
- Generator information (must have a generator)
- A complete menu listing all food and beverage items to be sold
Failure to provide accurate dimensions may affect booth placement.
Licensing and Permits
- Food trucks & food booths must possess all required licenses, permits, and inspections required by:
- The State of Georgia
- Monroe County Health Department
- Any other applicable regulatory agencies
- Copies of all permits and licenses must be submitted upon request and available for inspection during the festival.
Food trucks must:
- Operate only within their assigned space.
- Maintain all equipment, awnings, and customer service areas within the boundaries of their designated area.
- Follow all arrival and departure instructions provided by festival staff.
- Remain in place for the duration of festival operating hours unless authorized by festival management.
- For safety reasons, vehicles may not be moved during festival hours without approval from event officials.
Food truck spaces will be assigned by festival management based on operational needs, vehicle size, utility requirements, and event layout.
Power and Generators
- Electric service may be limited and is not guaranteed.
- Food trucks requiring electricity must indicate their needs on the application.
- Self-contained generators are permitted and must:
- Be in good working condition.
- Operate at reasonable noise levels.
- Be positioned to minimize disruption to neighboring vendors and attendees.
- Comply with all applicable safety standards.
Festival staff reserves the right to prohibit any generator deemed excessively noisy, hazardous, or disruptive.
Fire and Safety Requirements
Food trucks and food booths using propane, open flames, grills, fryers, or cooking equipment must:
- Maintain a current, properly charged ABC fire extinguisher.
- Maintain any required kitchen suppression systems.
- Secure all propane tanks appropriately.
- Comply with all local fire codes and inspections.
Failure to meet fire safety requirements may result in immediate closure of the operation.
Waste Disposal
Food vendors are responsible for maintaining a clean operating area.
Vendors must:
- Provide trash receptacles for customers.
- Remove all grease, cooking oils, wastewater, and refuse from festival grounds.
- Dispose of waste in accordance with all environmental regulations.
- Leave their assigned area clean and free of debris.
- Grease, gray water, and food waste may not be dumped into storm drains, streets, landscaped areas, or portable restroom facilities.
Operating Hours
- Food vendors are expected to remain open during all published festival hours unless otherwise approved by festival management.
- Early departures are discouraged and may affect eligibility for future participation.
Festival Compliance
Failure to comply with festival policies, health department regulations, fire codes, or directions from festival staff may result in:
- Suspension of operations,
- Removal from festival grounds without refund, and/or
- Denial of participation in future Fried Green Tomato Festivals.
Food Safety Practices
Food vendors are expected to:
- Maintain proper food temperatures.
- Protect food from contamination.
- Use gloves or utensils when handling ready-to-eat foods.
- Provide handwashing facilities when required.
- Store food safely and hygienically.
Follow all health department guidelines regarding food preparation and service.
Sampling
Food samples may only be distributed in accordance with health department regulations and with prior approval from the Festival Committee.
Unauthorized sampling is prohibited.
Check-In & Operating Hours
Food vendors must check in and complete setup by the deadline established by festival management.
Vendors are expected to remain open during official festival operating hours unless otherwise approved.
Booths that remain unoccupied after the designated check-in deadline may be reassigned without refund.
Insurance
Food vendors are required to carry general and/or product liability insurance.
Vendors selling food for human consumption must provide proof of insurance upon request and comply with any additional insurance requirements established by the festival.
Prohibited Items
The following are prohibited unless specifically authorized by festival management:
Alcoholic beverages
Illegal substances
Tobacco and vaping products
Fireworks or explosives
Items prohibited by federal, state, or local law
Festival Compliance
Failure to comply with festival policies, health department regulations, fire codes, or instructions from festival staff may result in:
- Removal of prohibited items
- Temporary suspension of operations
- Immediate closure of the booth
- Removal from festival grounds without refund
Denial of participation in future festivals
Check-In, Attendance & Cancellations
Vendors must check in and occupy their assigned booth space by the designated setup deadline. The Fried Green Tomato Festival is a rain or shine nonrefundable event.
SPECIAL NOTE: Juliette is in a rural area and most cell phone carriers do not have coverage. If you plan to use an app for credit cards payments you may need to make other arrangements. AT&T works well, Verizon does not.
Thank you for helping make the Fried Green Tomato Festival a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable experience for our visitors, vendors, and community.