Umoja Fest 2024 Vendor Application

Thank you for your interest in vending at the 2024 Umoja Festival! Join us as we celebrate the best parts of African American and African Diaspora culture. This year Umoja Fest will take place at Judkins Park located in Seattle, WA on Saturday, August 3rd and Sunday, August 4th, 2024.

 

 

• Vendors are required to supply their own electricity and are also responsible for providing their own 10x10 canopy, table and chairs.
• Spaces will not be reserved until business licenses and full payment are received and processed.
• Earlybird discount is not available for non-profit, government, or corporate vendors.
• Vendors are required to calculate and report their 10% Seattle Parks tax and MUST pay the additional fees at the close of business each day. Umoja Fest staff will provide applicable payment instructions and a FAQ after receiving your submission.
• Vendors not registered as food/drink vendors, may not sell any food or drink products as this requires additional permitting. 
• No products containing alcohol or cannabis may be sold.
• Vendors must provide their business licenses, insurance, and other required permits by either uploading them at the end of this form or emailing to vendors@blackdotseattle.com by the final deadline of July 15, 2024. Please type Umoja Fest Vendor in the subject line.
• Confirmed vendors will need to attend a virtual orientation/information session. Date and time TBA.
   

Send any questions/concerns to: vendors@blackdotseattle.com 

All applications, payments, and required business licenses/permits are due no later than July 10, 2024 for the early bird discount. The final deadline for all other vendor applicants is July 15, 2024. 

Click Here to read Full Vendor Requirements

Food Vendors

• Temporary Event Application: Complete the Temporary Event Application if you haven't already done so. Ensure timely submission to avoid late fees and guarantee approval. APPLY HERE
• Exempted Foods: If your booth sells exempted foods (e.g., roasted nuts, corn on the cob) and you have access to a commercial kitchen, commissary kitchen, or an approved retail restaurant facility, complete the "Application for Exemption from Permit."
• Existing Permitted Mobile Food Vendors: Provide your Permit Number starting with "PR" on your annual operating permit. Ensure your permit is up to date and have hot water turned on and ready for use at the event.
• Temporary Event Permit: If you have a "Multiple (pack of 5)" or "Unlimited" temporary event permit for the 2024 calendar year, submit your application via the portal. Note: A Certified Booth Operator (CBO) is required for Moderate/Complex Multiple or Unlimited permit holders.

 

Permit categories:

• Minimal – packaged potentially hazardous food made under permit, no handling of unpackaged foods no sampling (single event permit $128, unlimited event permit $252)
• Moderate – sampling potentially hazardous foods, reheating commercially made foods (USDA/WSDA)
• hot holding (single event permit $309, multiple (5) event permit $684, unlimited event permit $801)
• Complex – food cooked from raw animal products, serving raw animal products, foods cooked and cooled in a prep kitchen (single event permit $374, multiple (5) event permit $748, unlimited event permit $908)

Multiple or Unlimited event permits (moderate or complex category)

• Temporary Food Business Permit: If you haven't applied for a permit and are serving foods not exempted from permit, submit a temporary food business permit application immediately. Even if you have a restaurant or catering permit, you still need a Temporary Event Food Permit.

Click Here more more information

 

Per the city of Seattle, businesses located within the city of Seattle must obtain a Seattle business license. If you do not have one, you can obtain one by visiting: www.filelocal-wa.gov.

Alternatively 

Businesses who do not have a City of Seattle business license can be listed under Umoja Festival's Trade Show License at a cost of $10 per day ($20 total) to participate.

Make sure to purchase the tradeshow License feenin checkout when paying for your vendor fee.

Vendors who are not licensed by the City of Seattle or listed under Umoja Festival's Trade Show license will not be allowed access to a booth.

1. All vendor applications are subject to approval by event organizers. Event organizers reserve the right to prohibit any product from being marketed at this event. Failure to comply with any of the rules and regulations set forth by event organizers could result in your application being revoked and removal from the event without refund.

2. Vendors participate at their own risk and take full responsibility for all of their products, equipment, and personal property. Event organizers are not responsible for any items that are missing, damaged, or lost.

3. Vendors are required to provide a State of Washington UBI number (not federal tax ID number) AND a City of Seattle business license customer number, which is located on all Seattle business licenses. Organizations that do not have a City of Seattle business license must purchase a 2-day business permit through Umoja Fest for $20. A State of Washington business license will not substitute for a City of Seattle business license. Our vendor list will be checked by the city. This is required of for-profit as well as not-for-profit organizations. The only exemptions are public schools and churches. Vendors are responsible for their own taxes and license liabilities. Washington State sales tax must be collected where applicable.

4. If you do not pay the Trade Show License fee of $20 and do not have a City of Seattle business license, you will be required to pay the $20 prior to Umoja Fest. Failure to do so will result in not being able to vend at Umoja Fest and no refunds will be given.

5. Vendors agree to conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner to customers, other vendors and event staff. Vendor agrees to refrain from any activities (e.g., loud music or hawking) that may interfere with other vendors and/or festival activities. Vendors are responsible for keeping their space clean. All garbage and litter should be properly deposited in garbage cans and dumpsters provided on festival grounds. Vendors may not leave stacks of cardboard boxes on festival grounds.

6. There will be no refunds of application fees if applicant fails to participate in the festival, if there is inclement weather during the festival, or if the applicant fails to provide the required licenses, permits, and insurances by the July 21, 2024 deadline. Refund requests are subject to the discretion and approval of event organizers. Any requests for refund must be submitted in writing to Umoja Fest organizers and must be postmarked 30 days prior to the festival start date. A $25.00 application fee will be charged for any refund request. Vendors who mark on their application that they have the required licenses, permits, and insurances but fail to provide them by the required deadline will not be refunded.

7. Vendors who receive the $50 early bird discount upon submission of payment but fail to provide all required licenses, permits, and insurances by the final deadline of July 15, 2024 will be required to pay the $50 difference. Failure to do so will result in not being able to vend at Umoja Fest and no refunds will be given. 

8. All vendors must be set up and prepared to conduct business by 10:00 AM each day of the event. There is a strict no refund policy for late/no shows.

9. Only businesses that are registered, paid, and have submitted all required licenses, permits, and insurances may sell items at Umoja Fest. 

10. NO MUSIC may be played from any booth without express permission from event management.

11. There will be no sale of guns, ammunition, survival weapons, pepper spray, mace, tear gas, etc.

12. Vendor assumes full responsibility for any and all damages to park or facilities caused by their participation in the festival.

13. Vendor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Umoja Fest African Heritage Festival & Parade staff and agents and partners, Umoja PEACE Center and the City of Seattle and their respective liability insurance carriers against any and all liability associated with their participation in any and all of the activities of the Umoja Fest African Heritage Festival and Parade.

14. By submitting the attached application, vendor agrees to the above terms and conditions. Event management reserves the right to revoke applications and close exhibits for failure to comply with event rules. Upon revocation of application, vendor must immediately vacate the premises. Upon failure to vacate, event organizers are authorized to remove all property of vendor at vendor’s expense. Event organizers are relieved and discharged of any and all lost occasioned by such removal. Event organizers shall not be responsible for storage or safekeeping of the removed vendor’s property.

15. Full payment and completed registration including valid business licenses are required to reserve a space. PAYMENT must be made online, by mail or in person by July 16, 2024.