Please read all market rules carefully and contact the Market Manager, Elk County Council on the Arts, if you have any questions. Violation of these rules may result in temporary or permanent suspension from selling at the market.
Eligibility:
Produce and artisan vendors from Elk County and immediately adjacent counties are permitted to sell at the Ridgway Farmer’s Market.
Producer-only rule: Producers may only sell crops or other products that they grow or produce themselves, unless exceptions are granted as described below.
Value-added products may be sold, provided that value-added producers use a majority of ingredients obtained from farms within the region defined above.
Exceptions to these rules may be granted on a case-by-case basis if:
- The product comes from within the region, and/or no other producer grows and/or sells that product at the same market, and;
- The product is clearly labeled and/or signs are displayed indicating who produced the product and/or where the product was produced/acquired, and;
- The producer understands that they must stop selling the excepted product when a direct local producer of that product enters the market.
All applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations must be followed for the items being sold. It is the responsibility of each vendor to know and follow all regulations and produce documentation when requested.
Prepared food sellers are required to complete the Ridgway Borough Hold Harmless and Insurance Requirements agreement.
It is the responsibility of each seller to be properly licensed and insured.
Non-profit organizations are welcome with approval from the Market Manager. Fundraisers and raffles are welcome with approval from the Market Manager, and proof of proper licensing.
Absolutely no MLM, home improvement, commercial, informational, resellers, and non-handmade artisan items are allowed. No exceptions. If you’re unsure, please contact us.
Vendors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18.
All application and waiver materials must be completed and received with payment before sales can be made by a vendor.
Market Hours:
Setup can begin no earlier than 2:30PM, or upon the arrival of a representative from the Elk County Council on the Arts to the market premises.
Sales begin when the bell is rung at the opening time of 3:30PM and not before.
Pre-ordered items must be picked up no later than 3PM, or after the 3:30PM start.
All vendors must arrive early enough so that they are set up, with all products clearly priced and ready to sell at the opening time. Vendors must stay until the closing time of 6PM unless they are sold out or if approved by the Market Manager.
Space, Sanitation, Appearance & Behavior:
The Market Manager will not assign market spaces. Vendor spaces are available on a first-come-first-served basis each week.
Rotation of spaces is encouraged. Do not set up in the same space for more than two (2) consecutive weeks unless approval from the Market Manager is granted.
Displays must not limit the view or foot traffic to other vendors.
Electricity is not available to vendors, and the use of generators is prohibited unless approval from the Market Manager is granted.
Vendors must keep their area clean and attractive: clean table coverings are encouraged, boxes and other containers should be placed out of view, and stands kept free of product residuals and other litter.
Vendors must clean their areas at the end of the market and dispose of all refuse.
Music from vendor spaces or vehicles is not permitted during market hours.
Smoking by any vendor within the market area is prohibited.
No outside alcoholic beverages are permitted.
Signs:
Producers must display a sign giving the name of the farm or business and county where it is located.
Artisan vendors must display a sign with their business name.
Vendors must have signs or price tags listing the price of every product offered for sale, and all signs must be in place before sales can begin.
Products not produced by the producer must be clearly identified with the farm and/or vendor location where they were acquired (referenced above in Eligibility).
Parking:
Vehicles used for selling purposes must be clean and parked in an orderly fashion, preferably backed up to the market building and not blocking the flow of customer traffic and parking.
Vehicles must remain off unless arriving to or departing from the market.
Equipment:
Vendors are required to bring their own supplies and equipment including signs, tables, chairs, waste containers, bags, etc.
Tents must be properly secured with weights, and legs must be marked for safety or kept out of the way of customer foot traffic.
Market Management:
The Ridgway Farmer’s Market is a program of the Elk County Council on the Arts (ECCOTA). ECCOTA employees are authorized to make operational and administrative decisions including enforcement of these rules. These rules are subject to change at any time without notice.
The Market Manager will make all final decisions on vendor eligibility, attendance, and disputes related to rule enforcement.
The Market Manager has the right to refuse a vendor at any time and for any reason.
Disputes & Inspections:
Vendors are strictly prohibited from engaging in conflict with other vendors or customers on the market premises.
All disputes between vendors must be documented with the Market Manager. Disputes regarding ineligible items/out of the area/improper signage, etc., will be investigated by the Market Manager.
The Market Manager and their representatives reserve the right to visit any farm or production facility with advanced notice and to inspect the production of crops or products sold at its markets.
Decisions made by the Market Manager and their representatives are final.
Market Fees:
Market fees for all vendors are $40 per season, or $5 per week.
Refunds of Market fees will not be given for any reason.