Food Vendors 2025

Name: NC Whirligig Festival 2025
Start: 2025-11-01T10:00:00-00:00
End: 2025-11-02T17:00:00-00:00
Location: 301 Goldsboro St S

Deadline: Sep 05, 2025 11:59 pm (GMT-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

NC Whirligig Festival 2025

Date: Nov 01, 2025 10:00 am - Nov 02, 2025 5:00 pm (EDT)

Wilson, North Carolina

$175.00 - $525.00

About the application

Welcome to the North Carolina Whirligig Festival! The festival receives a high volume of Food Vendor applications. Each application is considered individually as they are received. Food booths are scattered throughout the festival zone and mixed into each block along with other festival vendors. All food vendors must display the menu and prices that were approved.

Browse through our application and let us know if you have any questions.

Food Vendor Booth Fees = $25 application fee + $200 - $500 Booth Fee
(fees remain the same as 2024)

All vendors pay the same application fee, which is charged immediately. Booth fees vary depending on category and activity, see below. Booth fees are charged after approval. Booth fee includes a single (1) booth space.

We have 4 Food Vendor categories: (same fees as 2024)

Food Vendor = $525 ($25 application fee + $500 booth fee)
For the wide variety of food vendors, including American fare, International and all types of food in between. Food vending booths may be under tents, in pull trailers or in food trucks.
Beverages only= $275 ($25 app fee + $250 booth fee)
For those vendors selling only beverages such as lemonades, coffee, fruit drinks, frozen or blended drinks, sodas and teas.

3. Non-Profit Food vendors = $275 ($25 app fee + $250 booth fee)
For non-profit agency or organization, that can provide a 501c3 number, raising money to support their cause by selling food items.

4. Wilson Downtown Restaurants = $275 ($25 app fee + $250 booth fee)
Any downtown restaurant located within the festival zone, may apply to sell curbside foods. Businesses do not need to apply to be open and operate inside as usual.

NOTE: Pre-packaged Food - any vendor with pre-packaged food items such as candy, nuts, jellies, jams, salsas, sauces, etc... apply as a COMMERCIAL vendor, not a food vendor, as they do not need a health department inspection.

NOTE: Any food vendor that uses charcoal, wood or any fuel type that can not be immediately cut off (in an emergency) will be considered as a Grilling/Cooker. All Grilling/Cookers will be assigned booth space within the Beer & Bones area. This is required according to the safety and fire guidelines of the Wilson Fire Department.

Applications for 2025 are electronic only - no paper needed.

This is an electronic agreement and by applying for the booth, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically. By submitting the application you are confirming that you have read the NCWF Vendor policies and agree to abide by them as stated in the guidelines below.

About the event

The annual North Carolina Whirligig Festival will be held on Saturday & Sunday, November 1 & 2, 2025. The event started as a way to celebrate what was unique to Wilson, NC - the innovative and whimsical folk art whirligigs created by Vollis Simpson. At the heart of the festival is a park containing 30 of his original giant metal structures that spin in the wind. The festival is the largest event in Wilson, 8 blocks of fun, that includes home-made arts and crafts, food vendors, non-profit agencies and sponsors. Entertainment is provided on several stages with live music, a free kids zone, a kids performance stage, strolling artists and art demonstrations. The NC Whirligig Festival averages about 70,000+ visitors attend over the 2-day festival weekend in historic downtown Wilson. The festival is run by a group of dedicated volunteers and is held each year the first full weekend in November.

Test by Theresa

Contact Organizer

Test by Theresa

Contact Organizer

Terms & Conditions

Refer to the NC Whirligig Festival Vendor Policies and Guidelines.

Related files

NCWF Electrical Outlet diagram

NCWF General Vendor Guidelines 2023

Prices

Application fee	$25.00	Non-refundable	There is a $25 non-refundable application fee which is charged upon application.
Beverage Only food vendor	$250.00	Non-refundable	Single booth space is 15 feet wide and 10 feet deep. This is for the use of a 10x10 ft tent. The extra space on the left and right are to provide storage between vendors. Your booth set up may not extend beyond 10 feet deep - this is set by fire code standards. If you need a wider booth, you may purchase a double or triple space as they are available.
Non-Profit Food Vendor	$250.00	Non-refundable	Single booth space is 15 feet wide and 10 feet deep. This is for the use of a 10x10 ft tent. The extra space on the left and right are to provide storage between vendors. Your booth set up may not extend beyond 10 feet deep - this is set by fire code standards. If you need a wider booth, you may purchase a double or triple space as they are available.
Downtown Restaurant food vendor	$250.00	Non-refundable	Single booth space is 15 feet wide and 10 feet deep. This is for the use of a 10x10 ft tent. The extra space on the left and right are to provide storage between vendors. Your booth set up may not extend beyond 10 feet deep - this is set by fire code standards. If you need a wider booth, you may purchase a double or triple space as they are available.
Food Vendor	$500.00	Non-refundable	Single booth space is 15 feet wide and 10 feet deep. This is for the use of a 10x10 ft tent. The extra space on the left and right are to provide storage between vendors. Your booth set up may not extend beyond 10 feet deep - this is set by fire code standards. If you need a wider booth, you may purchase a double or triple space as they are available.
Double Booth space	$150.00	Non-refundable	This is an additional fee added to your booth fee for extra space. The double booth space is 10 ft deep and 30 ft wide. This provided two single booth spaces side-by-side for larger displays. A limited number of double booth spaces are available.
Triple Booth space	$225.00	Non-refundable	This is an additional feed added to your booth fee for extra space. The triple booth space is the largest booth space allowed. The space is 10 ft deep and 45 feet wide. This is 3-single booth spaces side-by-side. We offer a limited number of triple booth spaces.
Electrical Power (as identified in Q#15)	$20.00	Non-refundable	Refer to the Electrical Outlet PDF for outlet style. Your plug must match the outlet. We do not make adjustments - bring your own adapter. Approximately half of the vendor booth spaces have ONE 110V electrical outlet available. We have a handful of 220/240v booth spaces. Vendors requesting electricity are strategically placed to provide utilities and a variety of vendors within each block of the festival. Electrical requests will be considered on a first come, first served basis.
Water access	$20.00	Non-refundable	Access to water is limited and typically reserved for food vendors. However, requests will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Water access will at a corner fire hydrant. Vendors should bring 100 ft hose to reach booth.

Questions on the application

Business information

Business name
Legal business name
Contact name
Address
Email
Phone
Website (Optional)
Logo (Optional)

Additional information

Have you been a vendor with the Whirligig Festival before?
List 2-3 recent festivals or events in which you have partcipated:
Please identify your food category:
Menu Options
What type of set up do you have for your food booth?
If you need electricty, identify the level of electrical power you need. The outlets within the festival zone are one of two types. Refer to electrical guide to ensure your plug will match the outlets. If it does not, you will need to purchase an adaptor before particpating in the Whirligig Festival.
Do you have your Wilson Health Department food permit?
Insurance
NC Sales Tax ID Number
How did you learn about the NC Whirligig Festival?
By signing your name, you agree to our terms and conditions.

Picture requirements

Minimum pictures required: 5
Upload a minimum of 5 photos: (2) of your food booth and (3 or more) of the food items that will be for sale in your booth.

Food Vendors 2025

NC Whirligig Festival 2025

Start Application