EARLY BIRD - Food Vendor

This application is for food vendors who will be cooking their food on site on the day of the festival.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a vendor at the Dogwood Festival 2026. Please review the following terms and conditions carefully.

By submitting your application, you agree to comply with all terms & conditions and guidelines outlined below.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. Vendors will not be allowed to transfer their application or fees to another vendor for any reason.
2. Merchandise and display of participant is subject to the Lessor, Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce, who reserves the right to require alteration, replacement, and deletions of any material or activity which is deemed inappropriate for the festival. 
3. Lessor reserves the right to change booth assignments at any time deemed necessary.
4. Vendor agrees to assume all liability for damages or loss caused to the premises or their exhibit area by reason of their exhibit and agree to indemnify and hold harmless “Dogwood Festival” and the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Palestine, TX, sponsors of the event, its directors, officers, and members for all liability which might ensue by reason of his/her exhibit or presence at the event.
5. The undersigned acknowledges that in the case of severe or hazardous weather or any other act of God, there will be no reimbursement of booth fees, or any other monies submitted to the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce. No money of any kind or amount will be returned except in the case in booth space rejection by the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce.
6. Violators to any rules listed on this application will not be invited back to future Dogwood Festivals or other Festivals hosted by the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce.
7. Any display or conduct by Vendor that unnecessarily obstructs neighboring booths or interferes with free passage in the aisles will not be permitted. 
8. Those vendors who do not adhere to their assigned set up time will have to dolly or transport their goods into the festival area by hand.
9. Vendors are required to have a covered booth. Vendors are required to furnish their own tables, chairs, awnings, and 100 ft. extension cord. Vendors are not allowed to stake their tents into the ground. Vehicles must be out of the barricaded area prior to 8:30 AM the day of the festival and will not be allowed back in until after 4 PM. 
10. Unless sold out, any vendor that closes early will be subject to a $250 fine. Vehicles will not be permitted in the barricaded area during the festival hours in the event of a sellout. 
11. All vendors must provide their Tax ID Number.
12. Demonstrations or activities which create a fire, safety or health hazard are not permitted.
13. Any inappropriate behavior, profanity, slander, liable, or other disparaging remarks to or about another vendor during the Dogwood Festival or on public social media will not be permitted. The Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to remove any vendor, personnel, or attendee which, in Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce’s opinion and sole discretion, does not comply with this requirement. Unethical conduct by the Vendor will subject the Vendor to removal from the festival. The enforcement of these practices and the Terms and Conditions, including without limitation the removal of Vendor and Vendor’s exhibit from the Festival and the Event, is within the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce’s sole discretion. This determination shall be at the sole discretion of Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce. The Vendor understands and agrees that no refund is due or shall be made and further that no demand for redress will be made by the Vendor under any circumstance. 
14. Proof of $1,000,000 Liability Insurance Policy is required of all vendors in this category and a Certificate of Insurance must be uploaded. 

GUIDELINES

Application & Approval Process

• Submitting an application does not guarantee participation in the festival.
• While you will be asked to provide payment information, payment will only be processed as soon as your application is approved. 
• Cancellation prior to March 2nd will receive 50% refund. No refunds will be made after March 1st or for removal for cause.
• Vendors will be assigned a specific location designated by the area and booth number. This festival is based on a first come first serve basis and previous vendors are not guaranteed acceptance or their same booth location. There will be no guaranteed booth locations, but every effort will be made to accommodate specific requests by participants.

Special Food Vendor Requirements

• Food Vendors are required to apply for a food permit through the Bureau Veritas.         

  Visit  https://www.cityofpalestinetx.com/DocumentCenter/View/2279/Temporary-Food-Permit-Application-PDF?bidId=  for the form to start the process or call (903) 731-8435.                   

  Completed applications must be submitted to the City of Palestine, TX. More information can also be found at https://www.cityofpalestinetx.com/235/Health-Services . Call (469) 562-8347 (Sara Losh with Bureau Veritas) with any specific questions.

• Food Vendors will be allowed to sell soft drinks or water. 
• Samples may be given away at the booth’s discretion, but they must meet current Bureau Veritas requirements. 

• Designation of specific food, drink, or frozen drink categories must be made at time of application and will be considered on a first come first serve basis. If Vendor’s product(s) contain alcohol, and Vendor intends to sample the same, prior approval is required, booth will be in a designated area and a certified bartender must be hired at Vendor’s expense. Please indicate the first and second choice of food, drink, or frozen drink. Please include a list of your menu with prices. Prices must be displayed during the festival hours for attendees to view easily. 

   

  Once accepted, food categories may not be changed without prior approval. 

Booth Assignments

• Vendors will be assigned a specific location designated by the area and booth number.
• This festival is based on a first come first serve basis and previous vendors are not guaranteed acceptance or their same booth location. There will be no guaranteed booth locations, but every effort will be made to accommodate specific requests by participants.
• Exact booth locations will be given on set up day during vendor check in. 

Setup, Takedown & Hours of Operation

• Vendors must adhere to designated setup and takedown process and schedule.
• Detailed set up instructions will be communicated 5 business days prior to the event.
• Set up begins Friday, March 20th, 2026, at 6pm to 8pm. All vendors must go through the drive through check in line first in order to receive their spot number.

• The Hot Pepper Festival Parade may interfere with vendor's ability to set up Saturday morning. 

   Vendors setting up on Friday night are solely responsible for all merchandise and personal items. The Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce will not be held liable for any damaged, lost or stolen merchandise.

• All vehicles must be out of the barricaded festival area by 8:30am, Saturday morning and will not be allowed back in until after 4pm the day of the festival. 
• Those vendors who do not adhere to their assigned set up time will have to dolly or transport their goods into the festival area by hand.
• The festival is open to the public from 9am to 4pm, Saturday, March 21st, 2026.
• Vendors are required to have a covered booth, and must furnish their own tables, chairs, awnings, and 100 ft. extension cord (if electricity is purchased).
• Unless sold out, any vendor that closes early will be subject to a $250 fine. Vehicles will not be permitted in the barricaded area during the festival hours in the event of a sellout. 
• Each Vendor will be responsible for trash removal, and cardboard disposal in containers provided by the Chamber of Commerce. Refer to maps provided by the Chamber at check-in for dumpster locations. DO NOT use city trash cans or green cans belonging to local businesses. A $250 fine for trash, cardboard, grease or gray water left behind will be charged. 

Electricity, Water & Equipment

• Access to electrical outlets and water is limited and must be requested in advance.
• Generators are not permitted, unless they are the silent kind.

By submitting your vendor application, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to all terms listed above.