Pre-Packaged Food Vendors

Prepackaged Food Vendor Application – Milwaukee Oktoberfest
October 3–5, 2025 | Henry Maier Festival Park

Milwaukee Oktoberfest is proud to showcase a curated selection of artisan, locally made, and culturally inspired prepackaged food products for thousands of festival goers each year. From Bavarian-style snacks to gourmet treats, we invite vendors who offer high-quality, ready-to-eat or shelf-stable items to join us for a weekend of food, music, and gemütlichkeit on the lakefront.

This application is intended for vendors selling sealed, prepackaged food items such as:

• Pretzels, cookies, and baked goods

• Specialty popcorn or nuts

• Jams, jellies, honey, or sauces

• Chocolates, candies, or other confections

• Pickled goods, jerky, or canned items

Vendors may not sell hot, prepared, or made-to-order food through this application.

Approved vendors will be provided with:

• A designated 10’x10’ booth space in the vendor market area

• Access to high foot traffic near entertainment and beverage zones

• Event marketing inclusion (website listing + signage)

• Staff/vendor passes for working the festival

All vendors must meet current Wisconsin DATCP regulations for prepackaged food sales and provide proof of product liability insurance. Preference will be given to vendors offering items aligned with German, European, or Milwaukee heritage themes.

We’re looking for small businesses with big flavor, strong presentation, and a passion for quality.

Application Deadline: Sept 5th, 2025

Milwaukee Oktoberfest Prepackaged Food Vendor Terms & Conditions

Event Dates: October 3–5, 2025
Location: Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee, WI

By submitting this application and participating in Milwaukee Oktoberfest, all prepackaged food vendors agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. Eligibility

• This application is only for vendors selling sealed, shelf-stable, prepackaged food items.

• Vendors preparing, cooking, or serving hot food are not accepted at this time. 

• All products must comply with Wisconsin DATCP food labeling and packaging regulations.

2. Fees & Payment

• Vendor fee: per 10'x10' space for the full weekend.

• Payment is due within 10 business days of acceptance to secure your booth space.

• No refunds will be issued after September 1, 2025, unless the event is canceled by the organizers.

Setup:

• Friday, October 3 | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

• All vendors must be fully set up by 3:00 p.m. on Friday.

Operating Hours:

• Friday, October 3 | 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

• Saturday, October 4 | 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

• Sunday, October 5 | 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 

Tear-down:

• Sunday, October 5 | 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

• Early tear-down is not permitted.

4. Licensing & Insurance

• Vendors must provide:

  • A copy of their Wisconsin Food License or Exemption

  • Proof of product liability insurance (minimum $1,000,000 coverage), listing “Milwaukee Oktoberfest” and “Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.” as additional insured

  • Temporary event vendors must have a Wisconsin seller’s permit unless their sales are exempt from sales and use tax. Sellers may apply for a Wisconsin seller’s permit at tap.revenue.wi.gov/btr.
  • If you sell something that requires a permit, it is your responsibility to obtain that permit. Vendors who are unable to vend due to not having proper permits in place will not receive a refund of vendor fees and are not guaranteed to vend a future event.
  • All prepared food items must be prepared in a kitchen licensed by the State of Wisconsin unless exempt under Wisconsin Act 101-The Pickle Bill. 
  • Food vendors must also have a Temporary Event Food Dealer License from the City of Milwaukee, Office of the City Clerk, License Division. Call 414-286-2238, email license@milwaukee.gov or visit their office at 200 E Wells St. Room 105 for more information. 

• Vendors are responsible for providing their own tent, tables, signage, and equipment

• All tents must meet minimum ballast requirements:

  • 10x10 tents: Minimum 250 lbs., distributed at 2 points

  • 10x20 tents: Minimum 1,000 lbs., distributed at 3 or more points

• Rentals must be arranged through Arena Americas

  • Contact: Carrie Orlowski at corlowski@arenaamericas.com

• Booths must be staffed and clean throughout all operating hours

• Vendors must comply with all fire, safety, and accessibility codes

6. Product Guidelines

• Only approved products may be sold. Milwaukee Oktoberfest reserves the right to deny or restrict any item that is unsafe, inappropriate, or not disclosed in the original application.

• Free samples must be offered in compliance with DATCP sampling regulations.

7. Conduct

• Vendors and their staff must behave respectfully and professionally at all times.

• Harassment, intoxication, or inappropriate behavior will result in removal without refund.

• Vendors are not permitted to sell alcohol or any regulated substances.

8. Liability & Indemnification

• Milwaukee Oktoberfest, Kegel’s Inn, Swarmm Events, and Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. are not responsible for any loss, theft, injury, or damage incurred by vendors.

• Vendors agree to indemnify and hold harmless all festival organizers and affiliates from any claims arising from their participation.

9. Force Majeure

• The festival is a rain-or-shine event. In the case of severe weather, acts of God, or other unforeseen emergencies, organizers may modify or cancel the event. No refunds will be issued unless explicitly announced.

10. Data Use

• Vendor information will be stored securely and used for festival operations only. We will never sell or share your data without your consent.

By submitting this application and participating in Milwaukee Oktoberfest, vendors agree to these terms in full.