April 2026 First Saturday Vendor Application

First Saturdays is an outdoor market held on the first Saturday of each month from April to October in Downtown Fayetteville, TN. The event is a vibrant and bustling community event that brings together farmers, artisans, and locals. 

Vendor registration for each event will open on the 15th of the month prior within the calendar event located on the Fayetteville Main Street website. The cost of vendor registration is $25 per spot or $175 for the season per spot. Registration will close when spots are full.

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In Tennessee, homemade baked goods sold at a farmers market fall under the Tennessee Food Freedom Act (TFFA) (sometimes referred to as the state’s cottage food law). This law makes it very business-friendly to sell food made in a home kitchen, but it does require specific labeling so consumers know what they’re buying and where it came from.

📌 General Labeling Requirements (for baked goods sold at farmers markets)

Under Tennessee’s Food Freedom Act, every homemade food product you sell must include the following information, either on the packaging label or, if not pre-packaged, on a sign at your booth:

Producer’s Information

Your name
Your home address (physical street address; P.O. Boxes may not be accepted in all interpretations of the law)
Your telephone number
Product Name

The common or usual name of what you’re selling (e.g., Chocolate Chip Cookies)
Ingredients List

All ingredients listed in descending order of predominance by weight
If you want to make your label more helpful, you should disclose major allergens (e.g., Contains: wheat, eggs, milk) even though it’s technically a recommendation rather than a separate requirement.
Net Weight/Quantity

The amount of product in the package in both Imperial and Metric units (e.g., ounces and grams) — especially important for pre-packaged items.
Required Disclaimer

The legally required statement:
“This product was produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.”

📍 Where the Labeling Info Must Appear
Depending on how your product is sold at the farmers market:

Packaged products: all required info must be on a label attached to the package.
Bulk or unpackaged goods: you must have the info on a label on the bulk container or on a placard/sign displayed at your booth.

🧁 Notes for Bakers
Tennessee does not require a state food license, permit, inspection, or food safety training to sell cottage food at a farmers market.
The law broadly allows selling non-hazardous baked goods (cookies, breads, cakes that don’t require refrigeration) directly to consumers.
If you sell online or take phone orders, the same information must be clearly accessible to customers (e.g., on your website or upon request).

🧾 Additional Tips
Even though state law doesn’t require it, many sellers include allergen highlights (like Contains: wheat, milk, soy) to make it easier for customers with food sensitivities.

Keep clear records of what you sell in case of a complaint or food safety question — Tennessee recommends having traceability information like lot numbers or production dates.

VENDOR GUIDELINES

We ask that all vendors observe these guidelines to keep the experience fair and SAFE for all involved. We will be enforcing these rules. If you do not follow ALL guidelines, you will not be permitted at the next event.

REGISTRATION 

Vendors MUST register for EACH First Saturday to participate. Registration closes when spots are filled. You will receive a confirmation message through Eventeny by Wednesday at 8PM before First Saturday. Service-driven or politically affiliated businesses will not be permitted. Only businesses with tangible physical products and non-profit organizations will be accepted at the discretion of the Main Street Board of Directors. Products will be juried by the Main Street Board of Directors. No political, propaganda, or advertisement booths will be permitted. The Main Street Board of Directors reserves the right not to approve an applicant.

SETUP

1. Upon arrival on Saturday, check in at your assigned entrance to the square between 8AM and 8:45AM. If you have a food truck or have an exceptionally large trailer, please arrive no later than 7AM. No vendor will be allowed to enter after 8:45AM to setup. Your assigned entrance and booth location will be confirmed prior to the event. Your booth must be broken down and removed by 5PM. 

2. Volunteers on the Square will help you navigate to your space which is marked on the curbs. There are no guarantees to booth assignment location. Booth location assignments are subject to change each month dependent upon the number and type of vendors. We will TRY to accommodate any special booth requests. Please let us know upfront if your booth requires special accommodations. 

3. Vendors are responsible for bringing tents (maximum 10’ x 10’), tables, chairs, or anything needed for your booth. Tents must be weighted if wind conditions are present with 25lb weights on each tent leg. Please decorate your booth in an appropriate manner and keeping your product, activity, or the Downtown Fayetteville/Lincoln County in mind. The Main Street Board reserves the right to prohibit any written or visible materials that are deemed inappropriate.

4. Set up must be completed and ready for business by 9AM.

5. No booths will be allowed to set up on the sidewalk. With the support of City Ordinance: No. 200010, the Main Street Board has the authority to ask any unapproved vendors or groups that set up at the square to leave. Any resistance will then be handled by the City Police Department. This task is not at all enjoyable but must be done to show fair treatment to organizations who have been approved. Please remember according to this ordinance, the Main Street Board has sole authority to regulate the placement of booths on City property during this event.

PARKING

You may park on the square ONLY to load and unload your booth. Once you have unloaded, vehicles must be moved immediately. YOU CANNOT PARK IN FRONT OF A BUSINESS. Please park at the church lots on Elk Ave N.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

1. The municipal building or the courthouse will be open for restrooms each month.

2. Once an application is accepted by the Board, the vendor fee is NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE. If your application is rejected, the vendor fee will be returned.

3. The Main Street Board also reserves the right not to approve an applicant that is not deemed appropriate. Any group failing to abide by the guidelines will be asked to disassemble their booth and leave the event area immediately.

4. If you do not show up for 2 First Saturdays without notice, you will not be able to participate in First Saturday. If you cannot make it to First Saturday, you cannot “give” or “assign” your spot to another vendor without communication with the First Saturday Committee Chair or FMS Director.