Ribfest Chicago 2026

RIBFEST CHICAGO 2026 RULES & REGULATIONS Contract Cancellation: CRSEM, LLC D/B/A (hereinafter “SEM”) reserves the right to cancel a contract at any time for the good of the festival, or by the direction of the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce (AKA “Event Host Committee”). Any cancellations by management will be refunded if ALL rules and regulations have been followed. Cancellation or suspension due to lack of proper city licensing or failure to meet or maintain guidelines will not be eligible for refunds. Account Holds:CRSEM LLC D/B/A (hereinafter “SEM”) and the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce are not responsible for denial of a license by the City of Chicago (and State of Illinois Liquor Control Commission – for Alcohol Vendors only) due to any hold placed on business accounts associated with the vendor. Each vendor is solely responsible for resolving any standing holds with the City of Chicago and/or State of Illinois prior to application approval. Vendors with outstanding debt to the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce will not be allowed to participate until outstanding financial obligations are rectified. Please note: Most businesses are not aware of a hold until their application is submitted and SEM is contacted by the City and/or State. Any standing debt that you have with the City of Chicago (parking tickets, water bills, awning, etc.) both personally and through your business will put a hold on your (Itinerant Merchant) license being issued. All of these debts should be paid as soon as possible prior to the event. You can access debts you have with the City by calling 312-744-6249. It is essential that you call each government agency regardless of your assumed standing. Please also call the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection Agency at 312-744-6060. and the State of Illinois Liquor Control Commission (Alcohol Vendors only) at 312-793-3380. Exclusivity: We do not provide exclusivity to any participant/exhibitor and or category. All food vendors will be permitted to sell ONLY 5 food items. These items will be approved by the committee in advance of the event. Additionally, all signs will need to be uniform and included in the vendor fee. An example will be sent directly after this application is processed. 21 days prior to the event, a high resolution format logo is required to be submitted along with the menu items. Booth signage cannot exceed 12’ in height, in accordance with the City of Chicago Building Code. Water: Running water is not provided on site. You must supply your own fresh water. Electricity: No small portable generators or car batteries are permitted within your booth. All electricity on site, if paid for, is portable and provided by a third-party supplier. Any service disruptions and/or blackouts from electricity provided by SEM will NOT result in a rebate or refund. Music: This event STRICTLY prohibits the playing of recorded or live music within your booth. Laws: Drilling in the street is not permitted to secure your tent or equipment. Violators will be subject to a city fine and space cancellation at the event. You are directly responsible for any city violations and fines, as a result of your negligence. The sale of any THC based products is strictly prohibited All CBD and Delta 8 businesses must apply as a sponsor of the event. For pricing and a customized benefits package, please contact Karyn at karyn@ Set-up and Tear-down: Each participant is responsible for setup, take down and clean-up of his/her booth space. Vehicles are allowed on the street only for setup prior to the event and tear down once the festival closes. You will be notified when it is safe to bring your vehicle on the street. Unless otherwise noted, parking is not provided to any participant but is available for an additional fee if arranged prior to the event, and upon availability Load-in/set-up times will be provided to you by email one week prior to the event. You must remove your vehicle immediately after unloading your merchandise. You are allotted 2 hours from the closing time of the event to vacate your booth space after the event. No Show Policy: Participants who have not checked-in by 1:00 PM on June 5th will be considered a “no-show.” No Show participants/artist will NOT be eligible for refunds and assigned booth space will be forfeited. Trash Disposal: Each space must be left clean throughout the event and each night. Trash receptacles and bags will not be provided, this is your responsibility. Trash (in bags) will be picked up from booths each night. All vendors may be subject to additional fees if your space is not maintained as delivered, upon vacating your event space, including any staining of the street below your booth footprint. Violators will be fined a minimum of $100 for non-compliance. Indemnification: The Northcenter Chamber of Commerce, Chicago Special Events Management, its employees, festival service providers,or any participating sponsors will NOT be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage that may occur to the participant (artist, merchant or food vendor), any of the participant’s employees or any property prior to, during or after the period covered by the participation exhibitor contract. CRSEM LLC D/B/A (hereinafter “SEM”) and The Host Committee are not responsible for any loss or damage to the exhibitor's equipment or any of its contents. We highly recommend removing all items of value off-premises each evening. This signed contract states that you agree to the terms and indemnify all parties working and producing the event from any liability or claim. Booth Space: Each vendor must use only the space that they are granted. Only a three-foot entry way is permitted. Sidewalks must be left unobstructed at all times. It is strictly prohibited to store items on the sidewalk across or adjacent to your booth. Any vendor using any portion of the sidewalk will be fined $200 per day. Protective materials must be placed under all food booths including fryers and grills. Any vendor who leaves equipment or supplies behind at the close of the event will incur an additional $200 fine (NO exceptions).We reserve the right to relocate a participating artist/restaurant when necessary even after a space has been assigned – based upon approval of the festival committee. Rib & Food Vendors : The Northcenter Chamber of Commerce does not withhold any taxes from Ribfest Chicago participants, any taxes associated with Ribfest Chicago participation are the sole responsibility of each individual Food Vendor.This year’s event will not be using food and beverage tickets, all customers will pay directly to each rib vendor. Rib Vendor Requirements: Rib Vendors will be required to offer a rib Taster and Sampler consistent with other rib vendors. The cost and size will be determined at the Food Vendor meeting scheduled for TBD at the Northcenter Chamber office, 4054 N. Lincoln Ave. All soda, water and alcoholic beverages shall only be sold by the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce. Food vendors may sell other pre-approved non-alcoholic beverages. If rib quantities fall below a certain predetermined level, the Ribfest Chicago Committee reserves the right to ask all vendors to limit rib sales to Taster and Sampler sizes. Damages to Rental Equipment: Extra fees will be incurred by participants for damages and clean-up of rental equipment as deemed necessary by rental equipment company for returned items which are damaged; or in need of any cleaning following the event. Third Party Vendors: You cannot resell or lease any space to a 3rd party to participate in the event in your booth. Event Hours: All vendors must remain open during festival hours. Any vendor not staffing their booth for the duration of the event will be required to “close their booth” using tent sides. Vendors who do not adhere to this policy will be subject to a $75 fine per day. 2026 Refund Process: If the event is faced with inclement weather, Acts of God and/or any situation that threatens the safety of exhibitors and patrons, Special Events Management (SEM) has the authorization to postpone or cancel the event which will not result in the refunding of your fees. By signing below, I hereby acknowledge and accept all terms of this vendor application by which will be considered a legal contract between myself (Vendor) and the Event Producer (Northcenter Chamber of Commerce – Hosting committee and or agent thereof, SEM) including all rules and regulations and understand that I am legally bound by this agreement. As a participating exhibitor, I acknowledge my financial responsibility for any damages to equipment items ( i.e. tent, table, chair, sidewall, counter, sign pole, etc.), rented from the production company or third party supplier, inflicted by myself or an employee in my booth and the terms regarding the festival or city rules and violations as outlined in this document. I acknowledge that SEM is acting as an agent for the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce who owns the event, and at no time is SEM empowered to negotiate fees, offer discounts or refunds. Under all circumstances unless stated in the rules and regulations, there are no refunds. (You will NOT be held accountable for rental equipment that you do not rent, however, we must have acknowledgement from you in the event that you add rental equipment to your application at a later time or rent an item on-site. It is your responsibility to inspect your tent during load-in and make management aware of any existing damages prior to the opening of the event.)