VENDOR application - Business, Artisan, Craft, Sale Vendors

It’s time for the Funtown Chowdown, Frankenmuth’s Annual Food Truck Festival at Frankenmuth River Place Shops! The fun takes place in the parking lot east of the shopping complex on the second Thursday of the month starting in May. Each event is from 2 to 9 PM. In 2026, the May and September events will feature around 16 trucks, with the June, July and August events featuring around 20 trucks from across Michigan with a variety of cuisine and desserts, live music, craft beer and non-alcoholic beverage sales, designated handicap parking area, and additional activities for families.

**This is not our Food Truck Application. This application is for Business, Artisan, Sale, Craft, etc. Vendors as our food truck applications close February 1st. Please email bchilds@bavarianinn.com to get on our food truck application emailing list.

Important Information - Please read thoroughly.

• Registration fee is $200 per event and payment in full must be received upon approval of the application. Failure to do so will result in a forfeited vendor space. Payments will not be accepted on the day of any event. 
• You will have a 10x10 space and you are required to provide your own tent (if needed), chairs, and tables. 
• Vendors are allowed 2 spaces max (10x20 max) and it is $200 per space
• Vendors are set up in the east parking lot at Frankenmuth River Place Shops (925 S. Main Street, Frankenmuth, MI 48734). Bethany will place you in a designated area with high foot traffic. 
• No food, alcohol, or any beverages including bottled water can be sold at this event by vendors. The sale of these items is prohibited and may result in shutting down for the duration of the event and/or not being accepted for future events.
• Vendors must be self contained. 
• Electricity is available upon request for an additional charge of $25. Electrical cords, strip plugs, etc. must be provided by the vendor. Mats/Rugs must also be provided by the vendor to cover the cords for the safety of the public. 
• Electric can be used to power point of sale systems. We do not allow heat presses, sewing equipment, freezers, etc. Please reach out to Bethany Childs - bchilds@bavarianinn.com if you have questions about your set up and electricity

 Vendor Policies and Procedures 

Application Approval/Rejection Policy: Approval of any application will be at the sole discretion of the 
Frankenmuth River Place Shops which reserves the right to accept or reject any and all irregularities and 
accept or reject any and all applications. All applicants MUST complete all parts of the application in a 
legible manner.
Booth space and vendor privileges may NOT be assigned or transferred. Assignment of any available space(s) is solely at the discretion of the Frankenmuth River Place Shops. Any changes to the original application must be approved in writing no later than 7 days prior to the event. 

Insurance: Our insurance provider requires that we maintain Certificates of Insurance from all vendors 
that participate in the events we sponsor. Please send us your Certificate of Insurance along with your 
application to participate in this event. 

Legal Requirements: To sell any products, you are responsible for having a valid license and complying 
with all laws governing your activities. This includes but is not limited to health department licenses, 
collection of and payment of taxes, and reporting for the same. 

Operations Policy: Frankenmuth River Place Shops must receive vendor payments in full 
must be received upon approval of the application. Failure to do so will result in a forfeited vendor 
space. We will only accept credit card payments.

Cancellation Policy: Only written cancellations received at least 7 days prior to the event will be 
accepted and are subject to a $100.00 cancellation fee.

Non- Disparagement: The vendor agrees they will not disparage by way of any negative statement, 
whether written or oral, about Funtown Chowdown, Frankenmuth River Place Shops, and its related 
Companies, as well as the Owners, Officers, Operators, and Management of the same. Violation of this 
term may result in the removal of the Vendor from the Event and barring from future events, as well as 
forfeiture of the application fee.

Event Setup and Operations: Setup is between 12 PM and 1:30PM on the event day. Please email bchilds@bavarianinn.com if an earlier set up time is needed. Vendors must be on-site and ready to operate NO LATER than 2 PM. Deviations from these times need to be approved by Frankenmuth River Place Shops event staff. Vendors are responsible for all of the assembly of their booths in accordance with Frankenmuth River Place Shops Policies & Procedures, Fire Marshal, and Saginaw County Health Department rules and requirements. Participation is subject to the full approval of those and law enforcement authorities. Location, facilities, utilities use and appearance of the booth are subject to approval.

Vendors are responsible for the cleanliness of their unit and the immediate area thereto. At the 
end of each festival day vendors are expected to clean their entire area. Trash bags can be left along the 
festival fence perimeter for the RPS maintenance crew to dispose of. 

Hours of operation are from 2 PM to 9 PM, rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, any 
cancellation and/or rescheduling of the event is at the sole discretion of Frankenmuth River Place Shops 
and all registration fees will be applied to the rescheduled date. Vendors are required to remain operational until 7 PM but are encouraged to remain open throughout the entire event, all vendors must have cleaned their space and vacated the area no later than one hour after the end of the event.

Frankenmuth River Place Shops will not be responsible for losses of any kind, whether by fire, theft, 
physical violence, elements of nature, or any other cause. Vendors are responsible for their own 
merchandise, employees, and equipment, its protection, and insurance at the risk of the vendor only 
and Vendor shall hold the Frankenmuth River Place Shops harmless from any damages, including 
subrogation claims by Vendor’s insurance carrier. Discourtesy to patrons or other vendors, obscene 
language, or shouting will not be tolerated and may result in the Vendor’s removal from the festival and 
forfeiture of your registration fee, as well as being barred from future events.

Frankenmuth River Place Shops reserves the right to reject any vendor for any reason it deems
necessary. If based on the sole judgement of Frankenmuth River Place Shops the actual presentation of 
performance of the vendor has from the original approved application deviated removal of the forfeit of 
your registration may result. 

Frankenmuth River Place Shops reserves the right to amend these Policies and Procedures at any time. 
Amendments will be made in writing and will become effective immediately.