Vendor Application: Community Vendor

Thank you for your interest in participating in the 2026 Thursday Night Market as a Community Vendor, operated by the Downtown Chico Business Association (DCBA).

Community Vendors include:

• Certified Growers (farmers and producers selling items they grow)
• Handmade / Artisan Vendors (individuals creating handcrafted goods)
• Non-Profit Organizations (community groups providing outreach, education, or fundraising)

Community Vendors are an essential part of the Thursday Night Market and help create a vibrant, local, and community-focused experience.

We are pleased to welcome vendors beginning Thursday, April 9, 2026. The market will operate weekly through September 24, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The DCBA prioritizes Community Vendors who offer locally grown products, handmade goods, and meaningful community engagement. Priority will be given to DCBA members, followed by vendors who contribute to a diverse, high-quality, and family-friendly marketplace.

Thursday Night Market Vendor Information

Season: April 9 – September 24
Market Hours: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Application Deadline: Monday at noon before each market

Application Requirements & Information

All food vendors are required to submit a Vendor Application annually for each market season.

Your 2026 application must include a one-time, non-refundable $50 Application Processing Fee.

Updates have been made to the 2026 Thursday Night Market policies, procedures, and fee structure. Applicants are required to review all materials provided prior to completing and submitting their application.

By submitting this application, you confirm that all required licenses, permits, and certifications for your food business are current and valid. 

All items are for sale must be clearly listed in the application and are subject to approval. Vendors currently participating in the market who wish to add additional menu items must receive prior approval from the Market Manager before offering these items for sale.

Applications must be submitted online. If you are unable to access a computer, please contact the DCBA office for assistance at (530) 345-6500.

Applicants are encouraged to include all requested market dates in their initial application and will not be charged until the Friday before the market date. This will reserve your spot for that market. 

Only one application processing fee will be charged per vendor per market year.

If an application is approved but space is not immediately available, the vendor will be placed on a waiting list and contacted if space becomes available.

Application Deadlines

Full Season Applications
Applications must be submitted no later than seven (7) days prior to the first market of the season, which is Thursday, April 2, 2026. Vendors who opt into full-season participation after the first market will have pricing adjusted based on the number of remaining markets in the season. All Full Season Vendor rules and responsibilities apply.

Week-to-Week Applications
Applications must be submitted no later than 12:00 PM (noon) on the Monday prior to the requested market date.

Applications are not accepted on-site at the Thursday Night Market.

 
Cancellation Policy

• All cancellation requests must be submitted via email to the Market Manager (dcba@downtownchico.com). Exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the Market Manager.
• Each vendor is permitted up to three (3) cancellations during the 2026 market season.
• Vendors who exceed three cancellations may forfeit eligibility for reimbursement or booth credit, and continued participation will be at the discretion of DCBA staff.

Full Season Vendor Cancellation

• If a Full Season Vendor cancels participation for the remainder of the season, the vendor will receive a $25 reimbursement for each remaining scheduled market week.
• A $100 cancellation fee will be deducted from the total reimbursement.

Cancellation Deadline

All cancellations must be submitted by 12:00 PM (noon) on the Monday prior to the applicable market date in order to qualify for a credit (not applicable to full season paying vendors).

 
Fees & Payment Information

Application Fee: $50 – one-time, non-refundable Application Processing Fee per vendor per market season.

Booth Space Fee

• Booth fees vary by vendor type.
• Pricing assumes a single 10' x 10' booth space or 15' x 15' for Certified Growers
• Vendors requiring a double booth space (20' x 10') will receive a 50% discount on the second booth.
• Any operation that does not fit within a 10' x 10' footprint (or 15' x 15' for Certified Growers) must reserve a double booth space.

DCBA Member Discount
Active DCBA Members receive a 20% discount on booth space fees.

Invoices & Payment Deadlines

• All weekly vendor fees will be charged the Tuesday before the market. 
• If the payment doesn't go through, payments must be received 1 day before the market date in order to secure participation.
• Payments are not accepted on-site on market days.

Accepted Payment Methods

• Credit or Debit Card (preferred)
• Checks (have to be received by deadlines or late fees will be applied)

Check payable to DCBA and delivered to:

DCBA Office
 338 Broadway Street
 Chico, CA 95928

or

 DCBA Mailing Address:
 PO Box 3098
 Chico, CA 95927-3098

Late Payments

A $20 late fee per booth space will be applied to payments received after the deadline.

Booth space may be reassigned if payment is not received on time.

 
Full Season Vendors
Payment in full is required by Thursday, April 2, 2026.

General Event Rules

• Animals are prohibited within 20 feet of any food facility per the California Retail Food Code.
• Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
• Smoking is not permitted within vendor booths or within 20 feet of businesses.
• Vendors may not consume alcohol during the event.
• DCBA may photograph or record the event for marketing and promotional purposes.
• Vendors must remain fully clothed during setup, operation, and teardown.
• Vendors should use public restrooms only, not merchant restrooms unless making a purchase.

Space Assignments

Vendor spaces are assigned each Tuesday, and a site map will be available to you through the Eventeny app.

It is the vendor’s responsibility to review the map each week, as booth locations may change.

Booth sizes:

• Single Booth: 10' x 10'
• Double Booth: 20' x 10'
• Certified Grower Space: 15' x 15'
• Certified Grower Double Space: 30' x 15'

The DCBA reserves the right to refuse admittance, reassign spaces, or adjust vendor placement at any time.

Vendor placement decisions consider:

• Business type
• Booth presentation
• DCBA membership
• Past participation
• Compliance history
• Product uniqueness
• Market balance and diversity
• Space availability
• Application date

Specific booth locations cannot be guaranteed.

Electricity Considerations

• Vendors will need to bring their own battery packs or low-noise generators. Battery-powered lights are a great option for illuminating booths.
• Vendors may not access power from nearby businesses or public infrastructure without prior approval from market management.

Booth Appearance & Display

All vendor booths must maintain a clean, professional, and family-friendly presentation.

Requirements include:

• Booths must remain within assigned space boundaries
• Equipment, signage, and supplies must not extend into walkways
• Vendors must provide their own tables, equipment, and display materials
• Tables must be covered with a tablecloth
• Battery-powered lighting is recommended for evening markets
• Generators require prior approval
• Music must be approved and free of explicit language
• Aggressive sales tactics are not permitted

Market staff may conduct periodic compliance reviews.

Clean Up -  Vendor Responsibility

• Before leaving the market, vendors must ensure their booth area is clean, swept, and free of debris.
• Vendors are responsible for removing all vendor-generated trash.
• Public trash receptacles are intended for customer use only.
• Sweepers are available at Event Headquarters.

Violations & Fines

• First offense: Verbal warning
• Second offense: $25 fine
• Third offense: $50 fine

Repeated violations may result in removal from the market.

Inclement Weather Policy

The Thursday Night Market operates rain or shine.

Markets may be designated as Weather Optional under the following conditions:

• Greater than 50% chance of rain between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM
• Forecast temperature above 105°F

Market management will announce Weather Optional status by 5:00 PM the day prior to the market.

If a vendor chooses not to attend due to weather:

• DCBA must be notified before 3:00 PM on market day
• Booth fees will be rolled over to the next market

Vendors who participate during Weather Optional conditions assume responsibility for any weather-related damage.

Violations & Enforcement

All products and operations may be inspected at any time by:

• Butte County Environmental Health
• County Agricultural Commissioner
• Market Manager or DCBA staff

Failure to comply with inspections or regulations may result in:

• Warnings
• Fines
• Suspension
• Loss of booth space
• Removal from the market

All violations and enforcement actions will be documented in DCBA records.

Code of Conduct

The Downtown Chico Business Association (DCBA) is committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and family-friendly environment for all market attendees, vendors, staff, and volunteers.

All vendors and their staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner throughout the duration of the event, including during setup and teardown.

Aggressive, disruptive, or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Yelling or verbal harassment
• Threatening or intimidating behavior
• Aggressive or confrontational conduct
• Physical violence or threats of violence
• Harassment toward attendees, DCBA staff or volunteers, other vendors, or performers

Failure to immediately correct the behavior, repeated incidents, or any behavior deemed unsafe or threatening may result in the vendor being asked to leave the market immediately.

Vendors who are removed from the market due to violations of the Code of Conduct will not receive a refund for that market date and may be suspended or permanently removed from participation in future Thursday Night Market events, at the discretion of DCBA staff.

DCBA reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary to protect the safety and integrity of the market environment.

Professional Conduct

Vendors and their staff are expected to follow all instructions provided by the Market Manager and authorized DCBA staff during setup, market hours, and teardown.

Decisions made by the Market Manager regarding vendor placement, safety, rule enforcement, and market operations are final for that market day. Vendors who disagree with a decision are encouraged to discuss the matter with DCBA staff after the market concludes, rather than during active event operations.

Failure to follow staff instructions or engaging in argumentative or disruptive behavior toward staff may be considered a violation of the market’s Code of Conduct and may result in warnings, removal from the market, or suspension of future participation.

Failure to Comply with Market Rules

Vendors are expected to comply with all Thursday Night Market rules, policies, and applicable local, county, and state regulations. Vendors who violate market rules will first receive a warning from the Market Manager or authorized DCBA staff.

Failure to correct the violation, repeated violations, or refusal to comply with staff instructions may result in the vendor being asked to leave the market immediately.

Vendors who are asked to leave the market due to rule violations will not receive a refund for that market date and may be subject to suspension or removal from future market participation, at the discretion of DCBA staff.