35th Annual Festival of the Bonfires

December 13 - 15, 2024

Lutcher Park

2545 Louisiana Ave. Lutcher, LA 70071

Welcome to this year's Festival of the Bonfires. The Festival weekend is scheduled to take place December 13 - 15, 2024. Enclosed is an application form and list of regulations from Festival of the Bonfires Board and Committee. Please review the regulations carefully, complete and sign the application form, and mail to above address along with all fees by November 10, 2024. If you are not planning to participate this year, please let us in order to contact those on the waiting list. The application/booth rental fee for Individuals, Non-Profit Organizations, and Professional Vendors is $400.00 for the weekend. For Professional Vendors (see definition in contract), in addition to the application fee, a Certificate of Insurance must be submitted. Application fees are non-refundable. Please enclose a check made payable to Festival of the Bonfires along with your application. BE SURE TO REVIEW NEW REGULATIONS 2, 3, & 4 IN YOUR CONTRACT. Please be sure to sign the contract and return it with the application and fee. Make a copy for your records. Special reminders - 1) The Festival will make signs for all Food Vendors and will email with approved items 

 

There will be a maximum of 12 food booths allowed to participate; no food duplication. Please meet all deadlines and regulations to ensure your continued participation.

President, Festival of the Bonfires (504) 491-4274 after 4:00 PM e-mail: jvick623@gmail.com

 

Once approved, Festival of the Bonfires will send an email to accept payment. Payment must be made in 7 days to continue to hold booth.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

Festival provides 2-110 volt outlets for each booth

ALL FOOD VENDORS ARE REQUIRED TO SERVE FROM UNDER THE MAIN PAVILION.

Please fill out electrical needs below and explain your other equipment.

FOOD VENDOR MUST SIGN AND RETURN WITH APPLICATION.

________________________________________, HEREUNDER CALLED “THE VENDOR”, AND THE FESTIVAL OF THE BONFIRES, HEREUNDER CALLED “THE FESTIVAL”, AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:

1. All booths must open at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 14, 2024 and Sunday, December 15, 2024 and operate until closing. Do not try to set up booth before Saturday, December 14, 2024. A Festival Committee Member will be on site for 7:30 am. The Festival Committee Member will assign vendor booths.
2. The Vendor will be required to serve food items from under the main pavilion.  No food trailers will be allowed to park on the festival grounds. The Vendor will be allowed to unload equipment. Information regarding unloading and parking will be sent to the Vendor prior to the Festival.
3. The Festival requires that the Vendor honor complimentary Food Vouchers issued to Law Enforcement, Sponsors, and Entertainment. Vouchers should be totaled and submitted to the Festival for refund NO LATER THAN Sunday, December 15, 2024. After that date, the Festival will not validate any vouchers.
4. THE FESTIVAL WILL PROVIDE SIGNS. No advertisement signs should be displayed.
5. The Vendor for any purpose, other than that indicated below, may not use the leased premises and may not be sublet or assigned by the Vendor without written consent of the Festival.
6. The Vendor agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold the Festival harmless from any and all claims for salary, expense, or sums due any employee, agent, servant, or contractee of the Vendor or as a result of any accident, damage or injury to the Vendor's employees, guests, or invitees.
7. Food booth rental is $400.00 for Individuals, Non-profit Organizations, and Professional Vendors (any vendor who owns a licensed business or uses paid employees). In addition to the rental fee, Professional Vendors must submit a Certificate of Insurance. Rental fees are non-refundable.  Fee covers booth rental, occupational license, and insurance (where applicable). A check made payable to Festival of the Bonfires shall accompany the Vendor’s application.
8. The Vendor is responsible for full cleanup of its booth at the close of each day. The Vendor is required to maintain booth space in a clean and sanitary manner during operation.  "Space" includes areas in front and behind booth. Absolutely no dumping of food items on grounds.
9. Each booth measures 10' x 10' and will be furnished with 2-each 110 volt outlets. Any additional electrical requirements exceeding 600 watts of electricity must be specified on the application form. Any equipment not listed and approved prior to setup will not be allowed.  Please notify the Festival’s Food Chairman of any special requirements as soon as possible to make necessary arrangements.
10. The Vendor must describe the food product(s) to be sold within the application. Describe in full how prepared, portioned, and also the selling price. There is a limit of three (3) main dish food items per booth. (Potato salad, french fries, coleslaw, french bread, bread pudding, etc. are not considered main dishes.) Beverages cannot be sold unless contracted with the Festival.
11. The food items and prices listed in the application are binding. No other items of any kind may be sold and prices may not be changed. Any violation will result in immediate eviction without refund and will terminate further participation in the Festival.
12. The Vendor is required to pay state, city, and parish sales taxes.
13. Absolutely NO bar-b-que grills allowed under the pavilion.
14. FIRE REGULATIONS:
    1. All Vendors engaged in cooking and heating foods must have their own ABC type fire extinguisher. Vendors will not be allowed to operate without an extinguisher.
    2. Combustible materials must be kept at a safe distance from any heat source and properly protected from the public. Crepe paper or any other highly inflammable material may not be used for decoration.
    3. All portable gas/butane containers shall have LPG approved connectors, regulators, and hoses. These must be checked and approved by the Festival prior to lighting.
15. HEALTH REGULATIONS:
    1. All foods must be obtained and prepared from sources that comply with all health laws, relating to food and food labeling. Any food of unknown cooking origin is subject to seizure and elimination.
    2. Perishable food items must be maintained at below 45°F or above 140°F at all times, including during preparation, transportation, and display. Adequate hot/cold storage facilities must be provided to maintain required temperatures. The Vendor is expected to provide its own thermometer and maintain temperature chart to be collected at the end of each day.
    3. All food service workers must wear hair restraints. Caps or visors are acceptable.  Plastic gloves are required for hands-on serving. Proper sanitizer should be provided for hand washing each time personnel re-enter booth.
    4. All food items must be kept covered, except when serving.  In order to minimize contamination, keep all plates, utensils, napkins, and other supplies off of the ground.
    5. Sanitize all food contact surfaces before starting each day and as frequently as necessary during daily operation with cloth that has been soaked in chlorinated water. A container of 50% household bleach and 50% water is required for sanitizing cooking utensils. A bucket should also be provided with clean water for rinsing.
    6. Water will be available on-site. The Vendor must supply its own containers and means of transport.
    7. NO SMOKING is allowed in the food booths while preparing, cooking or foods.
    8. All food items offered at the Festival are expected to be of the highest quality.