St. Louis African Arts Festival
VENDOR RULES & REGULATIONS

1. Merchandise Approval and Sales Restrictions

• The St. Louis African Arts Festival Committee reserves the sole and absolute right to review and approve all merchandise and booth setups before and during the Festival.
• All merchandise must reflect African and African American culture and align with the Festival's mission.
• The sale of bootleg, counterfeit, illegal, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate merchandise is strictly prohibited.
• Vendors may sell only the merchandise approved in their application. Substitutions or additions without prior approval are not permitted.
• All vendor fees are non-refundable under any circumstances, including in the event of enforcement actions.

Enforcement

• First violation may result in a verbal or written warning at the discretion of Festival Management.
• Continued or serious violations may result in immediate booth shutdown.
• Severe violations, including illegal or prohibited sales, will result in immediate removal from the Festival without refund.
• Displays must remain within the assigned booth space and not obstruct walkways or neighboring booths.
• Music, amplified sound, or demonstrations may not disrupt adjacent vendors or performances.

2. Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver

• Vendors acknowledge and assume all risks associated with participation in the Festival.
• The African Heritage Association, the St. Louis African Arts Festival Committee, volunteers, and affiliated entities are not liable for injury, loss, theft, or damage to persons or property.
• This waiver applies before, during, and after the Festival, including load-in and load-out periods.

3. Independent Contractor Status

• Vendors participate as independent contractors only.
• No employer-employee relationship, partnership, joint venture, or agency relationship is created.
• Vendors may not represent themselves as agents or representatives of the Festival.

4. Vendor Responsibility, Taxes, and Indemnification

• Vendors are fully responsible for all business operations conducted at the Festival.
• Vendors must obtain and maintain all required licenses, permits, and approvals.
• Vendors are responsible for all local, state, and federal taxes and fees related to their sales.
• Vendors agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the African Heritage Association, the Festival Committee, volunteers, the City of St. Louis, and all co-sponsors from any claims or damages arising from vendor participation.

5. Trash, Cleanliness, and Booth Maintenance

• Vendors must keep their booth and their surrounding area clean at all times.
• All trash, debris, grease, and waste must be properly disposed of in designated receptacles.
• Festival dumpsters are for approved waste only.
• Failure to maintain cleanliness may result in enforcement action, including loss of Vendor Security Deposit or booth closure.

6. Loss and Theft Disclaimer

• The Festival assumes no responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged merchandise, equipment, or personal property.
• Vendors are responsible for securing their booth and belongings at all times.

7. Enforcement Authority and Final Determination

• The St. Louis African Arts Festival Committee and designated Festival Management have full authority to enforce all policies.
• Enforcement actions may include warnings, suspension of sales, booth closure, forfeiture of the Security Deposit, or removal from the Festival.
• All enforcement decisions are final and non-appealable.

2026 St. Louis African Arts Festival (STLAAF)
Vendor Security Deposit Policy

To participate in the 2026 St. Louis African Arts Festival (STLAAF), all approved vendors are required to submit a $300.00 Vendor Security Deposit. This Security Deposit is intended to protect the Festival against damage to festival grounds, vendor spaces, equipment, and other festival-provided property, as well as violations of Festival policies, rules, or agreements.

1. Security Deposit Requirement and Payment

• A $300.00 Security Deposit is mandatory for all vendors and must be submitted as part of the 2026 STLAAF registration process.
• Payment must be made by Cashier’s Check or Money Order only.
• Security Deposits must be submitted in person on Friday, May 22, 2026. Vendors who fail to submit the Security Deposit by this date may be denied booth access.

2. Security Deposit Refund Procedures

In-Person Refunds

• Security Deposits may be refunded in person at the conclusion of the Festival, no later than 9:00 PM on Monday, May 25, 2026.
• Vendors must present valid government-issued identification to receive an in-person refund.

Mailed Refunds

• Vendors who do not collect their Security Deposit in person will have their refund mailed within seven (7) business days after the close of the festival to the mailing address listed on their Vendor Application.
• Vendors are solely responsible for ensuring that their mailing address is accurate. The Festival is not responsible for delays or losses resulting from incorrect or outdated address information.

3. Conditions for Security Deposit Refund

To receive a 100% refund of the Security Deposit, vendors must fully comply with all Festival requirements. No partial refunds will be issued. Vendors must:

• Comply with all 2026 STLAAF rules, regulations, and vendor agreements.
• Maintain their assigned vendor space in good condition and cause no damage to the festival grounds or property, including, but not limited to, tents, flooring, tables, electrical equipment, or surrounding areas.
• Completely clear and clean their vendor space at the conclusion of the Festival, removing all merchandise, equipment, trash, and personal belongings.
• Adhere to the Festival schedule. The Festival ends at 6:00 PM on Monday, May 25, 2026, and all vendors must vacate the premises no later than 10:00 PM. Departure must not disrupt Festival operations, staff, or attendees.
• Avoid any violations of Festival policies, including but not limited to unauthorized sales, prohibited activities, or breaches of vendor conduct or operational rules.

4. Forfeiture of Security Deposit

• Failure to meet any of the conditions outlined in this policy will result in full forfeiture of the Vendor Security Deposit. STLAAF’s decision regarding the Vendor Security Deposit forfeiture is final.