66th Howell Melon Festival

The 66th Melon Festival will be held in Downtown Howell on August 15th & 16th, 2026. Please read this application closely. For questions & more information, please visit www.howellmelonfestival.com, call 517.546.0693 x7707, or email HowellMelonFestival@gmail.com

2026 General Information

We seek a creative and diverse array of vendor items at reasonable prices, in conjunction with a family-friendly environment. While we try to limit the number of same-business vendors throughout the festival, we will not regulate the legalities of franchise agreements of having two of the same business vendors on-site (Origami Owl, Scentsy, Avon, Face-Painters, etc.). Unless you are a registered food business (pre-packaged candy, beef jerky, salsa, pies, etc.), no booth may sell or provide homemade food or beverages (including water) as this is limited to our food vendors.

Hours of Operation

Vendors must be fully staffed and open for business from the start of the event until close of each day. If a vendor chooses to close their booth early, they will not be allowed back to future events. If there is an emergency or you need to close before operating hours please contact the Festival Director beforehand.

Saturday, August 15th 2026    9:00am – 8:00pm

Sunday, August 16th 2026      9:00am – 5:00pm

Booth Location & Parking

Vendors will be located in the center of Grand River Ave, between Center St & Barnard Street. The Howell Melon Festival booths will be assigned by the Festival Director in the best interest of the festival.  Information regarding location will be emailed the last week of July or first week of August. Once assigned, relocation will not be permitted.

Vendors must park their personal vehicles in the designated areas only. A map will be provided in July.

Set-Up, & Tear Down

All vendors will be given 30 minutes to unload their vehicles. To help with traffic, please unload your items, park in the designated vendor parking area, then return to start your set-up. The set-up time is 5:30am – 7:30am Saturday, August 15th 2026. All vehicles will be removed by 8:00am. Latecomers will NOT be accommodated and no refund will be issued. Each booth is required to have a 10x10 pop-up tent, tent weights (20 lbs. on all corners), tables, chairs, etc. NO GROUND STAKES, the street is concrete. Do NOT tape, tack, or otherwise affix any materials & signs to walls, trees, lamp posts, or other public & private property surfaces. All inventory boxes must be contained in designated booth area. You may NOT set-up on the grass, sidewalks, or street outside your booth. Vendors are required to transport and place their own booths, labor is not provided. Lastly, please respect your neighbors and patrons. ALL BOOTHS MUST BE READY AT 9:00am.

There will be no vehicle access on the event footprint during the Howell Melon Festival. Cars will not be permitted until 5:00pm Sunday or until police deem it safe to enter. All streets will be opened to vehicular traffic by

7:00pm on Sunday, August 16th 2026. Labor will not be provided to help tear-down any booths. 

Security

Police, EMS, & professional security will monitor and be presented throughout the Festival. The Howell Melon

Festival, its sponsors, members, and participants assume no liability for loss/damage to vendor cash, wares, &

property. Precautions will be taken to guard against loss/damage.

Sound, Electricity, & Water Hookup

No loud audio systems may be used, please be considerate of your neighbors. Generators are NOT allowed and

NO ELECTRICITY is available to street vendors. Water hookups are NOT available to street vendors.

The 66th Melon Festival will be held in Downtown Howell on August 15th & 16th, 2026. Please read this application closely. For questions & more information, please visit www.howellmelonfestival.com, call 517.546.0693 x7707, or email HowellMelonFestival@gmail.com

2026 General Information

We seek a creative and diverse array of vendor items at reasonable prices, in conjunction with a family-friendly environment. While we try to limit the number of same-business vendors throughout the festival, we will not regulate the legalities of franchise agreements of having two of the same business vendors on-site (Origami Owl, Scentsy, Avon, Face-Painters, etc.). Unless you are a registered food business (pre-packaged candy, beef jerky, salsa, pies, etc.), no booth may sell or provide homemade food or beverages (including water) as this is limited to our food vendors.

Hours of Operation

Vendors must be fully staffed and open for business from the start of the event until close of each day. If a vendor chooses to close their booth early, they will not be allowed back to future events. If there is an emergency or you need to close before operating hours please contact the Festival Director beforehand.

Saturday, August 15th 2026    9:00am – 8:00pm

Sunday, August 16th 2026      9:00am – 5:00pm

Booth Location & Parking

Vendors will be located in the center of Grand River Ave, between Center St & Barnard Street. The Howell Melon Festival booths will be assigned by the Festival Director in the best interest of the festival.  Information regarding location will be emailed the last week of July or first week of August. Once assigned, relocation will not be permitted.

Vendors must park their personal vehicles in the designated areas only. A map will be provided in July.

Set-Up, & Tear Down

All vendors will be given 30 minutes to unload their vehicles. To help with traffic, please unload your items, park in the designated vendor parking area, then return to start your set-up. The set-up time is 5:30am – 7:30am Saturday, August 15th 2026. All vehicles will be removed by 8:00am. Latecomers will NOT be accommodated and no refund will be issued. Each booth is required to have a 10x10 pop-up tent, tent weights (20 lbs. on all corners), tables, chairs, etc. NO GROUND STAKES, the street is concrete. Do NOT tape, tack, or otherwise affix any materials & signs to walls, trees, lamp posts, or other public & private property surfaces. All inventory boxes must be contained in designated booth area. You may NOT set-up on the grass, sidewalks, or street outside your booth. Vendors are required to transport and place their own booths, labor is not provided. Lastly, please respect your neighbors and patrons. ALL BOOTHS MUST BE READY AT 9:00am.

There will be no vehicle access on the event footprint during the Howell Melon Festival. Cars will not be permitted until 5:00pm Sunday or until police deem it safe to enter. All streets will be opened to vehicular traffic by

7:00pm on Sunday, August 16th 2026. Labor will not be provided to help tear-down any booths. 

Security

Police, EMS, & professional security will monitor and be presented throughout the Festival. The Howell Melon

Festival, its sponsors, members, and participants assume no liability for loss/damage to vendor cash, wares, &

property. Precautions will be taken to guard against loss/damage.

Sound, Electricity, & Water Hookup

No loud audio systems may be used, please be considerate of your neighbors. Generators are NOT allowed and

NO ELECTRICITY is available to street vendors. Water hookups are NOT available to street vendors.

The 66th Melon Festival will be held in Downtown Howell on August 15th & 16th, 2026. Please read this application closely. For questions & more information, please visit www.howellmelonfestival.com, call 517.546.0693 x7707, or email HowellMelonFestival@gmail.com

2026 General Information

We seek a creative and diverse array of vendor items at reasonable prices, in conjunction with a family-friendly environment. While we try to limit the number of same-business vendors throughout the festival, we will not regulate the legalities of franchise agreements of having two of the same business vendors on-site (Origami Owl, Scentsy, Avon, Face-Painters, etc.). Unless you are a registered food business (pre-packaged candy, beef jerky, salsa, pies, etc.), no booth may sell or provide homemade food or beverages (including water) as this is limited to our food vendors.

Hours of Operation

Vendors must be fully staffed and open for business from the start of the event until close of each day. If a vendor chooses to close their booth early, they will not be allowed back to future events. If there is an emergency or you need to close before operating hours please contact the Festival Director beforehand.

Saturday, August 15th 2026    9:00am – 8:00pm

Sunday, August 16th 2026      9:00am – 5:00pm

Booth Location & Parking

Vendors will be located in the center of Grand River Ave, between Center St & Barnard Street. The Howell Melon Festival booths will be assigned by the Festival Director in the best interest of the festival.  Information regarding location will be emailed the last week of July or first week of August. Once assigned, relocation will not be permitted.

Vendors must park their personal vehicles in the designated areas only. A map will be provided in July.

Set-Up, & Tear Down

All vendors will be given 30 minutes to unload their vehicles. To help with traffic, please unload your items, park in the designated vendor parking area, then return to start your set-up. The set-up time is 5:30am – 7:30am Saturday, August 15th 2026. All vehicles will be removed by 8:00am. Latecomers will NOT be accommodated and no refund will be issued. Each booth is required to have a 10x10 pop-up tent, tent weights (20 lbs. on all corners), tables, chairs, etc. NO GROUND STAKES, the street is concrete. Do NOT tape, tack, or otherwise affix any materials & signs to walls, trees, lamp posts, or other public & private property surfaces. All inventory boxes must be contained in designated booth area. You may NOT set-up on the grass, sidewalks, or street outside your booth. Vendors are required to transport and place their own booths, labor is not provided. Lastly, please respect your neighbors and patrons. ALL BOOTHS MUST BE READY AT 9:00am.

There will be no vehicle access on the event footprint during the Howell Melon Festival. Cars will not be permitted until 5:00pm Sunday or until police deem it safe to enter. All streets will be opened to vehicular traffic by

7:00pm on Sunday, August 16th 2026. Labor will not be provided to help tear-down any booths. 

Security

Police, EMS, & professional security will monitor and be presented throughout the Festival. The Howell Melon

Festival, its sponsors, members, and participants assume no liability for loss/damage to vendor cash, wares, &

property. Precautions will be taken to guard against loss/damage.

Sound, Electricity, & Water Hookup

No loud audio systems may be used, please be considerate of your neighbors. Generators are NOT allowed and

NO ELECTRICITY is available to street vendors. Water hookups are NOT available to street vendors.

The 66th Annual Howell Melon Festival will once again be held in Downtown Howell on August 14th-16th, 2026. Join festival visitors and celebrate the Howell Melon with food and drinks, live entertainment, and vendors like you spread across 5 blocks on Grand River Avenue. For more information, visit our festival website at www.howellmelonfestival.com or contact the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority at 517.579.2867, or by email at howellmelonfestival@gmail.com.

General Information

Our event and application is now on Eventeny! You can easily submit all required documents and payment online .Arts & Crafts Vendors - 66th Howell Melon Festival - Eventeny_ All food vending spaces are limited and need a completed application with all requirements submitted with full payment. The Howell Melon Festival Committee reserves the right to choose what vendors participate in this year’s festival.  Vendor space is available on North Walnut Street between Grand River and Clinton at the 2026 Howell Melon Festival.

Dates and Hours of Food Vendor Area during Festival

Vendors must be open for business during the following hours:

Friday, August 14th from 4:00pm to 9:00pm

Saturday, August 15th from 9:00am-9:00pm

Sunday, August 16th from 9:00am-5:00pm

Fees

We will not accept any incomplete applications or applications without payment

Booth Space & Fees (only one food vendor per booth space) 

10’x20’ unit space - $850

10’x10’ unit space - $650

Please indicate how many units and feet you will require for your needs on your application and adjust your total fee

accordingly.  Additional space needed beyond the standard 10’x20’ or 10’x10’ is $25 per additional foot. All spaces

include water access and grey water storage, if needed. Electric service is available for an additional fee.

Application Fee 

All food vendors are required to submit a non-refundable $25 application fee.

Location Assignment and Set-up

The food area will be located on N. Walnut which runs between Grand River and W. Clinton Streets. Based on the

applications received; the Howell Melon Festival Committee will assign your location. Once assigned, movement or

relocation will not be permitted. You must set up within the allocated time period only (9:00am-12:00pm on Friday,

August 14th) and all personal vehicles must be removed from the area by 12:00pm. You will receive further

information about set-up and staging times once you are accepted into the Festival.  No vehicular access to the

Festival footprint will be permitted until Sunday, August 16th at approximately 5:00pm.  Latecomers will not be

accommodated and no refunds will be issued.  Food vendors are expected to provide their own tables and display

boards. 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 must be anchored by cinder-blocks or sandbags only. No ground stakes are

permitted. Vendors are responsible for transporting and placing their own booths and units.  Labor to erect booths is

not provided.

Electrical Requirements

Generators are not allowed. Electrical requirements will be considered for placement. Food vendors must supply

proper power cords - minimum of 200 feet, and materials necessary for securing cords (i.e. carpet mats) and providing safe, obstacle free public walkways. You must supply your own fittings and plugs to connect to the electric panels provided by the festival. You are responsible for hooking up your own power. There are pictures below of the types of plugs we offer. If you do not have one of those please reach out with pictures.

Water Hookups/Grey Water Storage

Vendor must supply proper sanitary water hoses, connections, and valves for water hookups. Vendor will be

responsible for all water leaving the unit. Water must be contained, and cannot create any outside accumulation.

Please bring appropriate hoses, hose connections, and transport buckets. The Howell Melon Festival will facilitate grey

water collection on site - transport buckets will be the responsible of the vendor.

Menu and Pricing

The Howell Melon Festival would like to have a diverse array of food items available at reasonable prices. We

encourage you to be creative in your menu offerings. Vendor must provide a full menu with pricing, a food picture if

available, and a picture of the concession unit coming to the Howell Melon Festival. To preserve the integrity of each

vendor’s market, this menu will be screened and a final approved menu returned with your confirmation. Only items

on the approved menu will be allowed for sale at the Howell Melon Festival. Food vendors may not sell non-food

items.

Beverage Policy

Food vendors may sell non-alcoholic beverages from their booth. If we secure a beverage sponsor (i.e. Pepsi, Coke, or

any other brand), you will be required to sell that brand of product and not sell a competing brand, and will be notified

in the acceptance letter. If any beverage sponsorships occur, you will be notified.

Cleanliness and Trash Removal

Vendors will keep their location and surrounding area clean and free from litter and grease. All inventory and boxes

must be contained in your area or unit - it cannot be set up on the grass, sidewalks, or outside your booth space. All

garbage must be disposed of properly at the end of each day at designated locations. You must supply your own trash

bags for the weekend. You may not use City trash barrels under any circumstances. No grease or grey water is to be

poured onto the ground or down any drains. Anyone found doing this will be asked to leave the event. 

You will be responsible for any and all environmental cleanup costs and subject to prosecution by city or state officials. [The Howell Melon Festival will facilitate grey water collection and will let you

know where grey water will be collected - transport buckets will be the responsibility of the vendor]

Parking for Personal Vehicles

Vendors must park their personal vehicles in designated lots. A parking map will be provided in

the information package sent in August. At the conclusion of the event, vehicles will only be allowed into the festival area

when the police have deemed it safe to do so - anticipated to be no later than 6:00pm on Sunday.

Breakdown

No tear-down is allowed before 5:00pm on Sunday. All streets will be re-opened for vehicular traffic at 7:00pm on Sunday.

Use of Name

“Howell Melon Festival” is trademarked and MAY NOT be used to personalize any items sold at the Howell Melon

Festival unless the Festival Committee has negotiated, approved, and issued an exclusive “Special Activities Contract”

with you, and arrangements have been made for the Festival to receive full commissions or royalties on the sale of that

merchandise. DO NOT attempt to use the name or any variation thereof on shirts, clothing goods, food products, or

merchandise of any kind. The Howell Melon Festival will prosecute violators to the fullest extent of the law. This

application is not a Special Activities Contract.