First Fridays Vendor Application

First Fridays are held on the first Friday of each month from May through September in Downtown Gainesville on the Historic Gainesville Square, with the exception of the July First Friday, which will be held at Midland Greenway.

Vendor setup begins at 3:00 PM, the preshow runs from 4:00–6:00 PM, and the featured concert takes place from 7:00–10:00 PM.

*These events are designed to promote and support businesses located within Gainesville’s Historic District. Downtown businesses will be given vendor preference, and any remaining openings will be made available to other Gainesville and local businesses.

Sidewalk Cafes Only:

• If you are a downtown business with a permitted sidewalk cafe, this form will allow you to sell outside, within the boundaries of your sidewalk cafe space, for the event day from 4-10pm.
• For businesses on the square where roads will be closed, you are allowed to add tables / chairs in the street for patrons as an extension of your sidewalk cafe. This must be after the road is closed at 4pm. *Note that food/beverage sales are still only permitted within the bounds of your sidewalk cafe.
• At the end of the event at 10pm, you must clear any set up in the road and food/beverage carts on sidewalk areas. All sales must move back inside your establishment so we can clean the roadways and reopen roads back to vehicle traffic. 

 All alcohol vendors must have a catering / pouring permit with the City of Gainesville. Please Contact the Financial Services Department for more information.

• No refunds will be made if you cancel.
  
• No refunds will be made for bad weather.
  
• If event is cancelled or rescheduled due to force of nature, government, or pandemic related causes, the payment can be used toward the rescheduled date or another event. 
  
• No sound equipment in booths.
  
• No smoking.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• Payments: Payment will be charged upon approval of your application. Vendors may pay for all approved events at one time. All payments are non-refundable.
   
• Food & Drink Vendors: A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is required, naming the City of Gainesville as additionally insured for a minimum of $1,000,000. The certificate must list the city’s mailing address as follows:
                City of Gainesville
                PO Box 2496
                Gainesville, GA 30503

• Food Inspections: Mobile food vendors must submit a copy of their most recent food inspection.

• Business License: If your business is located outside the City of Gainesville, a copy of your Business Occupational Tax Certificate (formerly known as a business license) is required.

• Downtown Dining District: The Downtown Dining District allows alcohol sales by properly licensed businesses for outdoor consumption between 12:00 PM and 12:00 AM daily within the district boundaries, which include the First Friday Concert area. Alcohol must be sold in a clear plastic cup no larger than 16 oz, with no more than two (2) cups per person sold at a time. Unsealed cans, glass, or metal containers are not permitted on streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way, or parking lots at any time, whether on public or private property.