Food Vendors

This two-day, rain-or-shine event is the largest festival in the area. Along the Little River Waterfront (4469 Mineola Ave, Little River, SC 29566) approximately 250 vendors will showcase their talents, information, and food. Enjoy live entertainment, a children’s area, fine art and craft vendors, specialty foods, seafood, and more.  Food vendors will be permitted to sell only the items listed on the application and approved by the festival committee.
 
To be considered as a vendor at this old-fashioned, southern street festival, please complete the enclosed application no later than February 2, 2026. The fee for your vendor booth is good for one 10’ x 10’ space for both days of the festival and two worker passes. 

The festival is to be held on the Little River Waterfront (4469 Mineola Ave., Little River, SC 29566) on May 16 & 17, 2026. Hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Our festival is a family-friendly event, and we ask all vendors to contribute to a welcoming and positive atmosphere. To ensure that all attendees feel comfortable, we do not permit vendors or merchandise with political, racial, or ethnic themes. Vendors who do not comply with these guidelines will not be accepted or may be asked to leave. 

ELIGIBILITY
Booth space is available to artisans, crafters, businesses, community organizations, food vendors and official sponsors who choose to exhibit.
Only the business or organization listed on the application may operate in the assigned space.
Booth sharing is not allowed.
Flea market items will not be accepted.
All vendors and their products are subject to committee approval. The committee reserves the right to reject any vendor or item. All decisions are final.
Craft demonstrations are encouraged.

 
BOOTH SPACE & FEES
Booth Size: 10' x 10'
Booths must include a canopy or tent (flat tarps not permitted)
Booths may be placed on asphalt, grass, or gravel
All tents must be properly weighted and secured
Food Vendor Fee: $550 per Linear 10'. Additional footage is $50.00 per linear foot.

Each booth includes two (2) worker passes
Additional worker passes: $5 each
Displays must stay within the assigned footprint. Vendors must remain in their booth space during festival hours. Similar vendor types may be limited to ensure variety. Early applications are encouraged.

FOOD VENDORS
All food vendors must comply with applicable laws and health regulations as required by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA.) 

Key requirements include:

Mobile food units or temporary setups must be registered and inspected by SCDA.
All vendors must follow SCDA's Festival & Event Food Vendor Guidelines
Proper temperature control for perishable items is required at all times
No home-prepared foods are allowed (must be prepared in an approved facility)
A hand-washing station must be present in any booth preparing or serving food
Grease and graywater must be disposed of in the proper receptacles only—DO NOT dump on the ground, in storm drains, or in portable restrooms
No food samples may be distributed without approval
For more information and licensing requirements, visit:
https://agriculture.sc.gov/divisions/consumer-protection/food-safety-compliance/

Failure to comply will result in removal from the event and disqualification from future festivals.

MENU DISPLAY REQUIREMENTS
All food vendors are required to visibly post a complete menu with prices at their booth throughout the duration of the festival.
Menu signage must be legible, professionally presented, and placed where it is easily seen by attendees.
All pricing must be clearly marked and reflect the actual charges at the point of sale.

Failure to display menu and pricing may result in removal from the event and/or exclusion from future participation.

BEVERAGE EXCLUSIVITY – PEPSI PRODUCTS REQUIRED
Pepsi is the official beverage sponsor of the World Famous Blue Crab Festival. As such, all vendors are required to sell Pepsi products only, including Aquafina bottled water.
No competing soft drink brands (e.g., Coca-Cola, RC, generic sodas) are permitted for sale or display.

Pepsi products will be available for purchase on-site by the case for your convenience.
Ice will also be available for purchase on-site.

Compliance with this policy is mandatory. Vendors found selling or displaying non-Pepsi beverages may be removed from the event and may be prohibited from participating in future festivals.

 
LIABILITY & INSURANCE
Food Vendors are required to provide a Certificate of Insurance.
All food vendors are required to provide proof of liability insurance and food service compliance documentation from SCDA.

 
PHOTOS
Applicants must upload 2–4 clear photos of their booth, products, or menu. Photos become the property of the festival and will not be returned.

 
APPLICATION DEADLINE & ACCEPTANCE
Deadline: February 2, 2026
Vendors will be notified via email upon acceptance
Payment will only be processed for accepted vendors
Acceptance is a commitment to participate. No refunds
 
ELECTRICITY
Limited power is available by request:

110V/20 amps – $25
30+ amps/220V – $100
Vendors must bring a minimum 100-foot heavy-duty extension cord, as electrical sources may be distant from your booth.

 
SALES TAX
Vendors are responsible for collecting and remitting South Carolina sales tax. A valid SC Tax ID is required.
For assistance, visit www.sctax.org or call 1-844-898-8542.

 
TENT & DISPLAY REQUIREMENTS
All tents, displays, signage, and structures must be properly weighted and secured to withstand coastal wind conditions.
Event staff reserves the right to remove or prohibit any equipment deemed unsafe, unsecured, or improperly installed.

 
SETUP REQUIREMENTS
The World Famous Blue Crab Festival is a two-day event.

Vendors must be fully set up by 8:00 AM Saturday.
Sunday setup is not permitted.
Spaces not operational by 8:00 AM Saturday will be considered forfeited without refund.
 
VENDOR CHECK-IN & HOURS
Check-in times are assigned by booth number
Check-in closes at 8:00 AM on Saturday—no entry after that time
All vehicles must be off festival grounds by 8:00 AM on both days
 
SATURDAY OPERATIONS
Booths must remain open until 5:00 PM
Early breakdown will result in loss of eligibility for future events
Vehicles are not allowed inside the footprint during festival hours
Vendors may leave tents and equipment overnight at their own risk
The festival is not responsible for lost or stolen items
 
SUNDAY OPERATIONS
No check-in required
All vendors must be open by 9:00 AM
Breakdown begins at 5:00 PM—no earlier
Vehicles may re-enter festival grounds only when:

Booth is fully broken down
Cleared by security
Vehicle pass is issued
All vendors must vacate the grounds by 12:00 midnight Sunday.

 
VENDOR PARKING
Parking is at your own risk
Reserved vendor parking is limited to one vehicle per booth
Must park in your assigned lot with a valid vendor parking pass
If you or your staff need frequent vehicle access, plan off-site parking before 8:00 AM
 
SECURITY
Private and off-duty law enforcement will provide security from Saturday morning through Sunday evening.
Vendors are responsible for their own inventory, equipment, and valuables.

 
TRASH & WASTE DISPOSAL
Garbage services will be provided. Vendors must keep their booth area clean and dispose of all waste in designated trash cans or dumpsters.

Do not dump ice, water, grease, or graywater in streets, storm drains, or restrooms
Violations may result in removal and exclusion from future events
 
GATE PASSES
Each vendor booth includes two (2) worker passes.
Additional passes are $5 each.
Sponsor exhibitor passes are provided according to sponsorship level.

 
LIABILITY & INSURANCE
Vendors are responsible for their own booth, materials, staff, and equipment.
The Little River ShrimpFest and the Little River Chamber of Commerce are not liable for any theft, damage, or injury.
All vendors must sign the Hold Harmless Agreement.
Vendors such as food, amusement, and animal exhibitors may be required to provide a Certificate of Insurance.

 
PETS
Pets and animals are not permitted on festival grounds, including in vendor booths.
Vendors who work with animals must request advance approval and provide proof of insurance.

 
SPECIAL REQUESTS
Special requests (e.g., booth placement) may be noted on your application but are not guaranteed.
Sponsors will receive priority consideration for placement and visibility.

 
WEATHER POLICY
ShrimpFest is a rain-or-shine event.
The festival will proceed as planned unless weather conditions are deemed unsafe by event management.
Any updates will be shared in real time via official social media and the festival website.

 
NO REFUNDS
This event is held rain or shine. No refunds will be issued due to weather, cancellation, or forfeiture.