Entertainment/Interactive Experience Vendor

Thank you for your interest in Aurora Mini Con

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Expected attendance for the event is approximately 3,000.

This application is for vendors who charge participants for on-site activities, games, or experience-based engagements occurring during the event.

Vendors who sell pre-made merchandise or handcrafted goods for purchase and takeaway must apply using the Small Business/Craft Vendor application.

Applications will be reviewed, and applicants will be notified of acceptance by Friday, September 4.

Before submitting your application, please gather the following documentation:

• City of Aurora Tax License
• Proof of Workers’ Compensation Insurance or Workers’ Compensation Waiver (see below for more information)

If you do not have a City tax license, you may apply for a FREE one-day event license at:
https://aurorataxportal.gentaxcpc.net/tap/_/#1
(See below for detailed instructions.)

Paid Entertainment Vendor Guidelines

Aurora Mini Con is a free, City-produced community event serving a diverse audience, including youth and families with limited discretionary income. To preserve equitable access while supporting small businesses and creators, the City has established pricing guidelines for paid entertainment/interactive activities.

All proposed paid activities will be reviewed during the application process. Vendors must submit a full description of their activity and complete pricing structure for approval in advance.

Pricing Policy

All entertainment and interactive experiences offered by vendors at the event must be priced at $15 or less for a single complete experience. 

To support equitable access for the community, vendors must provide at least one complete base experience priced at $5 or less. The base experience must allow participants to fully engage in the activity and may not require additional purchases, upgrades, or add-ons in order to participate.

Vendors may offer versions of the experience at higher price points, provided they remain optional and do not exceed the $15 maximum per experience.

Charging a separate entry fee, participation fee, supply fee, or required add-on that increases the cost of the base experience beyond $5 is not permitted. Bundled pricing structures that effectively prevent access to the $5 base experience are also prohibited.

Acceptable Pricing Example — Face Painting

A face painting vendor may structure pricing as follows:

• $5 Base Experience: Small design such as a star, heart, lightning bolt, flower, or cheek art design.
• $10 Experience (Optional Upgrade): Medium cheek or partial face design with multiple colors.
• $15 Experience (Optional Upgrade): Full-face or highly detailed design.

The $5 option must be a complete finished design, not a partial outline that requires an upgrade to complete. Customers must be able to receive a finished face painting for $5 without any additional required fees.

All pricing must be clearly displayed and communicated before services are provided. The City reserves the right to review pricing and require adjustments or discontinue offerings that do not comply with these requirements.

Prohibited Paid Activities
1. Duplicate Core Programming
Vendors may not charge for activities that duplicate City-provided free programming, including:

• Open-play console or e-sports gaming
• Magic: The Gathering tournament entry or free play
• Simple children’s crafts
• Standard inflatables or bounce houses
• Temporary tattoos
• Character meet-and-greet experiences
• Interactive photo booths
• Basic, short-duration prop-making or costume accessory craft stations intended for onsite participation and immediate use (not including commissioned or custom-manufactured merchandise)
• Paid entry for tabletop/card based gaming activities
• Paid access to children’s toys, building materials, or open-play items intended for onsite use only, where no take-home product is provided

2. Core Access or Foundational Amenities
Vendors may not charge for access to event spaces or essential amenities, including but not limited to:

• Entry wristbands
• Seating access
• Panel room access
• Cosplay repair stations
• Water or basic comfort amenities
• Sensory-friendly spaces, special needs accommodations, adaptive play materials, or other accessibility supports intended as foundational event amenities

 3. Pay-to-Enter Competitive Activities
The following are not permitted:

• Paid-entry tournaments
• Pay-to-compete gaming contests
• Entry fees tied to prizes or awards

4. Activities Requiring a Colorado Gambling License
Activities that require a Colorado gambling license are prohibited, including but not limited to:

• Prize wheels with cash or variable-value payouts
• Raffle-based play models
• Games of chance involving cash prizes
• Any activity regulated under Colorado charitable gaming or gambling statutes

The retail sale of sealed or blind merchandise (e.g., mystery boxes, collectible packs, or similar products) is permitted, provided it functions as a standard retail transaction and does not involve cash prizes, tiered payout structures, or mechanics that would require a Colorado gambling license. Vendors operating under this retail sales model must apply through the Small Business/Craft Vendor application process.

 
The City reserves the right to determine whether a proposed activity aligns with these guidelines and may deny or modify approvals as necessary to maintain an inclusive, community-centered event environment.

This is an electronic agreement. By submitting your application, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically.

Entertainment Vendor Agreement
THIS AGREEMENT is by and between the CITY OF AURORA, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Aurora, CO 80012 (“CITY”) and the party designated on the attached application (“ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR”).

The CITY desires to permit ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR to provide the services and/or activities set forth on the attached application during the event. Now therefore, in consideration of the foregoing and of the promises and mutual covenants contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

 
1. RIGHT TO OPERATE
ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR shall have the right to provide services and/or activities as set forth on the application. Said services and/or activities are to occur only within the area designated by the CITY for the ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR. The CITY has a zero-tolerance policy for the sale, display, or operation of services or activities that display and/or promote any of the following: gang colors/symbols, drugs, drug paraphernalia, and illegal activities. Any ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR found to be in violation of these policies is subject to expulsion from the event without any refund. Enforcement of this is at the sole discretion of CITY management.

 
2. BEVERAGES
ENTERTAINMENT VENDORS shall not sell, distribute, or in any way disseminate alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, INCLUDING WATER, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.

 
3. SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES
Absolutely no “Mini Con” or “Aurora Mini Con” branded merchandise or services may be offered unless otherwise agreed upon in writing. ENTERTAINMENT VENDORS shall not provide any service or activity not identified on the application without prior written approval of the CITY.

 
4. HOURS OF OPERATION
ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR booths must be fully staffed and open, and must remain fully staffed and operational between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026 regardless of weather conditions. Closing early or opening late for any reason may preclude ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR from participating in future events. ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR understands that the event will be held rain or shine, and no refunds shall be given.

 
5. BOOTH SIZE
Booth size will be one of two sizes depending on payment—either 10 ft. wide by 10 ft. deep or 20 ft. wide by 10 ft. deep for all ENTERTAINMENT VENDORS. ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR understands that the CITY, at its sole discretion, will assign space.

 
6. RENTAL EQUIPMENT
The City of Aurora does not provide any equipment to the ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR including but not limited to chairs, tables, tents, etc. ENTERTAINMENT VENDORS are required to provide their own equipment.

 
7. WEATHER SECURITY
ENTERTAINMENT VENDORS shall be responsible to adequately anchor all equipment to withstand the elements of weather. Vendors are responsible to bring their own anchoring devices (weights and/or water barrels). Vendors WILL NOT be allowed to use stakes for securing tents, canopies, etc. on the Great Lawn per the regulations of the City of Aurora.

 
8. SPACE RENTAL FEE
ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR agrees to rent a booth space during the event to be held Saturday, September 26, 2026. Fees will be automatically charged to the payment method you provide upon approval of your application. No subletting of booth space is permitted.

 
9. LOAD-IN/SET-UP
Load-in and set-up times vary based on booth location. Load-in and set-up must be completed between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026. All booth set up must be completed by 10:30 a.m. Vendor vehicles will have limited access to vendor area; please be prepared to move materials by hand or dolly.

 
10. LOAD OUT
All ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR materials and GARBAGE must be removed from event site by 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

 
11. SIGNAGE
All ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR signs and banners must be contained within the assigned booth space. Each ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR is responsible for supplying their own signage for their booth.

 
12. CONDUCT
ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR may not consume alcoholic beverages within any assigned booth space. Vendors must be suitably attired at all times. Behavior unsuitable for the CITY, or which constitutes a public nuisance, will not be permitted. VENDORS SHALL NOT PLAY ANY AMPLIFIED MUSIC FROM WITHIN THEIR BOOTH SPACE DURING THE EVENT.

 
13. STORAGE
All ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR’S property shall be kept within the assigned booth space. Storage of supplies, equipment, or materials outside the booth space will not be allowed.

 
14. ELECTRICAL SERVICE
ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR acknowledges that the CITY will not provide electrical service for this event. If electricity is required, the ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR must supply their own power source. Generators, trailers, vans, or other mechanical devices used to supply power may be subject to inspection by the CITY or its designee onsite. It is the ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR’S responsibility to supply all cables and extension cords, which must be UL approved. The CITY reserves the right to require modification or removal of any equipment deemed unsafe.

 
15. CANVASSING
ENTERTAINMENT VENDORS may conduct business only from inside their booth space. Canvassing from outside of the booth space is not permissible and ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR shall be liable for immediate closure and removal from the event with loss of all submitted monies. Canvassing MAY NOT be done any closer than 1 block from outside the event boundaries.

 
16. SITE INSPECTION
ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR is responsible for leaving designated space as found. Failure to do so will result in, at the sole discretion of the CITY, charges to repair or correct any damage or alteration. Vendor is responsible for returning the booth space site to its original physical condition by 5:00 p.m. on September 26, 2026.

 
17. GOVERNING LAWS
This agreement shall be governed by the laws, the health, sanitation, and fire regulations of the City of Aurora, County of Arapahoe, and State of Colorado.

 
18. SECURITY
ENTERTAINMENT VENDORS are responsible for the safety and security of their own property and equipment at all times. There will be limited security assigned to the entire event site. No security personnel will be assigned specifically to any particular vending area. The CITY shall not be held responsible for loss, theft, or damage to any property left on the event grounds at any time.

 
19. INDEMNITY
ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR shall indemnify and hold the CITY, the CITY staff, contractors, and volunteers harmless from any claim or cause of action arising out of, or in connection with the acts or omissions of ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR under this agreement, and shall reimburse the CITY for any costs, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney’s fees incurred in defense against any such claim.

 
20. VIOLATIONS
ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR acknowledges that a breach of any of the terms of this agreement may result in the termination of this agreement and the preclusion of the vendor’s participation in the event. In the event this agreement is terminated as a result of any breach by the ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR, they shall not be entitled to any refund but shall forfeit all amounts previously paid as liquidated damages.

 
21. AGREEMENT MODIFICATIONS
No prior or present agreements or representations shall be binding upon any of the parties hereto unless incorporated in this agreement. No modification or change in the agreement shall be valid or binding upon the parties unless in writing, and executed by the parties to be bound hereto.

 
22. RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES
In the event of a dispute arising in any manner as a result of, or in any way related to, this agreement, the parties hereto agree to submit the same to mediation and/or arbitration as a prerequisite to legal action. In the event arbitration or legal action is commenced, the prevailing party shall be awarded reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred as a result of said dispute.

 
23. CANCELLATION
ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR understands that if the vendor cancels after the execution of this agreement, or fails to provide the required documentation, they shall not be entitled to any refund but shall forfeit all amounts previously paid as liquidated damages.

 
24. BOOTH ACCESS
The CITY and its agents or assigns shall have access to the aforesaid described space and premises at all times. Booth space cannot be assigned or leased by any organization other than CITY management.

 
25. EVENT DISPLAYS
The CITY reserves the right to locate, or relocate any exhibit or display where it is in the best interest of the CITY. The CITY reserves the right to cancel any exhibit or display that is not in the best interest of the CITY.

 
 
By submitting the application associated with this agreement, ENTERTAINMENT VENDOR acknowledges that:

a. Vendor has had the opportunity to review this agreement;
b. Vendor has enclosed all required documentation and payment;
c. Vendor has had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel if desired; and
d. Vendor fully understands the terms and conditions set forth herein and agrees to be bound by the same.