General Information - Procedures, Conditions, & Rates:
This document contains pertinent rules and regulations that govern the operation of the Loose Caboose Festival hosted by the Paragould Chamber Foundation.
The Paragould Chamber Foundation is extending invitations to food vendors who submit fully executed applications with required enclosures and payments (see application page) by the April 30, 2026 deadline. Priorities for space will be reviewed based on date of receipt of fully executed application and menu items. The Loose Caboose Festival strives to maintain a balance and diversity in food vendor offerings and quality offerings. All applications and products are reviewed so that we may maintain this balance. Our goal is to keep standards high and promote a safe, successful and fun festival. The policies and regulations set forth in this document are designed to maintain order and to regulate activities on the Festival site. Regulations will be enforced.
Procedures:
- Vendors may vend on Friday, May 15, MUST vend on Saturday, May 16.
- If using electricity, the generators will be activated at 11:00 AM on each festival day. Overnight power will be provided.
- Friday, May 15, 2026
Unload and Setup: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. Vend from 12:00 PM-8:00 PM. You must keep your booth up and on display until 8:00 PM.
- Saturday, May 16, 2026
Unload: 7:00 AM-8:00 AM. Setup your Booth: 8:00 AM-10:00 AM.
Vend 10:00 AM-9:00 PM. You must keep your booth up and on display until 9:00 PM.
At 9:00 PM, you can begin closing. No Entrance OR Exit will be permitted before 10:00 PM.
- All food vendors will be assigned a location. This assignment will be determined by the return of the completed application contract and fee. Food vendor fees are set forth in the food vendor application. No refunds will be made.
- Food vendor/concessionaire parking is provided in designated areas. With the exception of specified setup and breakdown times, vehicles will not be permitted at event site. Vehicles must be removed immediately when asked by the Festival Committee.
- Vendors are responsible for the appearance of their area and must clean up after the festival. Tables should be covered. Empty boxes and trash will not be permitted around the area.
- All items food vendors/concessionaires wish to sell are subject to approval by the Festival Committee. Any product not specified in the application will not be allowed at the Festival, unless permission is sought and given, in writing. Items must be removed from the concession stand when asked by the Festival Committee during the festival if they were not approved. Failure to abide may result in not being asked back to the festival in future years.
Loose Caboose Festival will be selling hot dogs, hamburgers, and cheeseburgers.
Foods that cannot be sold from food vendors: hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, funnel cakes, corn dogs, cotton candy, sausage, philly steak, and popcorn. On the days of the Festival, our standards committee will be monitoring compliance.
- Food vendors/concessionaires must provide all required documentation to the Festival Committee by April 30, 2026. Documentation list below.
- All signs and displays must be of a professionally produced nature. Prices of items must be displayed.
- It is the sole responsibility of each food vendor/concessionaire to obtain the applicable and appropriate state and local licenses and permits as well as payment of taxes pertaining to their operation. Please note: Food vendors should expect inspection of food operations by Arkansas Department of Health.
- Sales tax is the responsibility of the vendor.
- Food vendors/concessionaires provide their own serving wagon, camper or booth setup material. Water hook-ups and electricity will be available at additional costs. We request that you come completely self-sufficient.
- Food vendors/concessionaires will indemnify and hold the Festival and sponsors harmless from all costs, losses, damages, or expense including expense of litigation, and attorneys’ fees resulting from loss, injury, or damage real or asserted, to, any person or property arising out of any act or omission of vendor or his/her employees or other representatives.
- NOTE: We will be advertising each food vendor. The event will not be rescheduled. If the food vendor does not show, we will be charging a fee of $250 for failure to attend the event.
- If the vendor is denied, the application fee will be returned to the vendor.
Required Documentation:
1. Certificate of Comprehensive General Liability and Automobile Insurance
2. Health Department – Food Permit
3. Description and photo of food truck
4. Detailed list of all proposed menu items identifying offerings and projected
pricing for those offerings
5. Food Vendor Fee as outlined in the Food Vendor Rates section
The deadline for all applications is April 30, 2026. By signing the application, vendor hereby requests permission to sell the products listed on the application. Further, the Festival Committee reserves the right to approve or deny any item a food vendor wishes to sell. Food vendor acknowledges that the Festival is subject to various weather conditions and state and federal safety and health regulations. No refunds will be given. Exhibits must remain open until closing of the Festival as outlined in the agreement.