Chesterton's European Market 2026 Application and Contract

Celebrating our 23rd year of bringing the best offerings of the region, Chesterton's European Market invites you to apply for the 2026 market season. Chesterton's European Market has been a staple in Northwest Indiana since it opened in 2003, set in the center of the business district and main park. Our large market is known for its diverse offerings sourced regionally, brimming with artisan cheeses, meats, produce, coffees, pastries, breads, pantry staples, flowers, freshly made street food, art, crafts and even more.

Chesterton's European Market is a juried market and all vendors, both returning and new, MUST submit this application for review with our team.

 
Market Details:

• Location: 220 Broadway, Chesterton, IN
• Market Space: Parking lot, 3rd Street, Broadway Street and green space in the adjacent park.
• Tent Space: 10x10 space, unless indicated. Tents required. No exceptions.
• General Booth Fee Info: The weekly booth 'rent' is a cost of $50 per 10x10 space, per market. There is an additional cost for trailers and/or additional tent space needed - $5 upcharge for use of the limited number of utility hookups.
• Dates: Saturdays, May 2nd - Oct 31st.
• Times: 8:00-2:00pm CT.
• You may choose from any or all dates listed below.
• Market will take place rain or shine. Extreme weather conditions may cause closure.
• 110v electricity available, only if arranged prior to market date. Electricity is limited.
• Vendors may not share space unless prior approval by Market Director.
• Parking: All vendors will be provided and must display the official Market Vendor parking tag and park only in designated vendor parking areas. Public parking lots include: behind Duneland Chamber building at 220 Broadway, Grant Street Parking Lot, and Lois Lane Parking Lot). There is no vendor parking on Broadway. *Failure to comply with parking requirements may result in loss of future participation.
• There is no guarantee on placement of booth space for each market date.
• Vendor fees are non-refundable until end of season.
• Food trucks are required to supply electrical cords/water and have a Porter County health certificate/business license.
• Once our team has completed the jury process, you will receive a second email with your acceptance status of either accepted or not accepted. Accepted 2026 vendors will receive our market map, set up and schedule details. Vendors are not officially accepted until Market Director has sent confirmation.
• The market will not accept multi-level market or commercial retail vendors, as well as religious and political organizations.

 

Notice for All Vendors:

Add three high resolution product photos and provide link(s) to social media or a web page showing your products or business. These photos will help us in reviewing your application. If accepted, photos may be used in promotional material and website.

 

Please fill out the entire application,
along with your signature, to be considered for the 2026 season. Keep a copy for your records

Market Dates

Please check all the boxes that apply, including holiday markets. Event set-up will begin no earlier than 5:00am (CT). Tear down will end no later than 3:00pm* (one hour) after the market closes (*if you're located on 3rd Street or Broadway Street so regular traffic can resume).

IMPORTANT *If at any point and time throughout the market season your space requirement changes, e.g. additional tent space or moving to a mobile vehicle, it is the discretion of the Market Director to approve/reapprove your application to ensure that we have enough space and are able to accomodate your request.

Market Governance

CEM is committed to creating a diverse marketplace with the highest quality, locally produced products available. Although Market Leadership and the Duneland Chamber must reserve unconditional discretion to accept or refuse anyone as a CEM vendor, the market's vendor selection process considers a range of criteria, from the number of vendors in a given category, the quality of their products, and any previous business dealings with the Chamber and/or Market. Business dealings can include, dependability, on time payments, and other factors. All decisions are final from Chesterton's Market Committee and the Market Director.

 

General Rules/Guidelines

• Chesterton’s European Market is a cash and carry only market. This means that products must be purchased on site and paid for at the time of purchase. No order taking is permitted, due to the fact that the market staff cannot guarantee payment from the customer or provision of product from the vendor.
• All potential and current vendors must remit an online application on an annual basis and provide a full list of products intended to sell for the entire season, and receive approval for same from the market jury.
• Vendors wishing to edit/add to their approved sales list must contact the Market Director. The European Market is a juried market. The market jury decides upon the quality and types of products needed at the market. The market reserves the right to disallow any vendor not following regulations and may ask any vendor to not sell any particular items.
• Vendors are not required to be present the full season and may be scheduled, once approved, as they are able and with space limitations within the market. All applicants must remit desired dates for the entire season at the time of application. Dates may be adjusted during the season. Approval is on a discretionary basis, as vendors are required to follow market rules and regulations.
• Vendors and all equipment and products must be in place no later than 30 minutes before Market opening time. You must remain until the end of the day. If you are not able to attend that day or need to leave early, please let the Market Director know as soon as possible. No-shows or multiple call offs may be given a warning and if it is repeated more than three times, notice of their space and fees will be forfeited.
• Vendor that shows up after 7:45pm on market day will not be allowed to drive their vehicle into the market – all items will need to be walked into market space.
• Vendors will unload vehicles immediatley and move them to parking area, before set up. Be considersate of your fellow vendors trying to get to their space. No vehicles will be left in the market passageways during the Market.
• All vendor spaces must be managed by owner or staff, 18 years or older.
• Vendors will leave passageways clear for customers. Signs must not project out further than vendors stall or tables unless approved by Market Director.
• Vendors must maintain their appearance, proper hygiene, quality product presentation, respectful conduct and language to patrons, staff and other vendors.
• No swearing or smoking allowed. Vendors are not permitted to use the following techniques while at the market: hawking, calling attention to products in a loud, repetitive public manner, and selling products in an aggressive way. When aisles are particularly crowded, standing in the aisles while providing samples to customers is not permitted.
• Vendors are required to keep their area clean and free of debris throughout the market hours and at the close of operations, remove all items, including trash and disposal of waste water.
• Misrepresentation of products is not allowed. All products offered for sale must conform to any necessary federal, state laws and health rules.
• Vendors are discouraged from giving produce or other items away for free or at below-cost pricing, thus undercutting potential sales of other vendors. This does not include sampling.
• The Market Director reserves the right to inspect vendor space during Market hours.
• CEM, Duneland Chamber, or Town of Chesterton is not responsible for vendors, their equipment, or vendor products.
• CEM and Duneland Chamber reserves the right to accept or reject any vendor application and can terminate vendor’s participation at any time at their discretion.
• All Vendors must sign the market application and adhere to rules and regulations.
• Vendors must comply with all current state, town, county licensing and laws (i.e. Health Department, Tax ID, Business Licence, etc).
• All vendors MUST provide proof of insurance prior to beginning of season.

 

Vendor Categories & Factors in Acceptance

• Farm/Growers: produce, meat, eggs, plants/flowers, etc. brought to the market should be over 80% grown in local agriculture/horticultural locations. Producers may display "value-added" products (such as salsas, jams, salad mixes, honey, etc), as long as a substantial portion of the ingredients are wild gathered or grown by the vendor and that all applicable state health department regulations are followed. All vendors are subject to inspection, or other verification, of capacity to produce by the Market Director and/or the Porter Country Health Department.
• Food & Prepared Food Producers: handmade consumable goods, such as bread, jams/jelly, maple syrup, honey, beverages, flour, spices, dog treats, etc. All products must be produced in accordance with the Porter County Health Dept and State regulations, including temporary licenses.
• Artisans/Services: non-food artisan products sold at the market must be original and created by the artisans. Acceptable work includes painting, photography, fibers, wood, jewelry, metals, wearable art, personal care products, services, etc. Imports, resale or 3rd-party direct market sellers will not be considered, except for clothing and other related items at discretion of the jury. Applications will be assessed, and priority will be given to locally owned businesses (including brick and mortar in the Chesterton zip code), hand-made products, or agriculturally based products.
• Non-Profit & Community Organizations: local non-profit and organizations, serving the Chesterton community, are encouraged, and will be given every opportunity to participate in the market, free of charge. Separate application to be completed.
• Kids Market: children, under the age of 16 yrs old, are encouraged and will be given an opportunity to participate in the market selling home-made items or produce (must be accompanied by an adult).
• Product Balancing: duplicate products may be denied entry, although product exclusivity is never promised, the Market Director may exclude a product or vendor, if it is determined that a product is over-represented at the Market. Products that are unique or unusual are desirable.

 

Product Labeling and Certification

• Vendors should provide clear, written information about production methods, which can be available to any consumer who requests it.
• All meat and dairy products must be labeled in accordance with County, State, and Federal laws as processed food products.
• Detail any part of the processing not done by the vendor and provide appropriate documentation of any second party processor or co-packer.
• Approval of some products that are processed by a second party or a co-packer may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Packaged, processed foods must be labeled in accordance with applicable laws. Bulk dried foods must also be labeled appropriately. Vendors wishing to sell processed foods must provide labeling with ingredients, process location, sale by and expiration date.

 

Compliance with Health, Safety, and Related Laws

• Vendors and their employees are responsible for knowing and complying with Federal, Indiana State, and Porter Country Health regulations and licensing requirements governing the production, display, distribution, sampling, and sale of their products.
• Vendors providing samples of their products must comply with the laws governing market sanitation and health issues with the Porter County Health Department

 

Vendor Links and Resources

Indiana State Department of Agriculture
Home Based Vendors Document
Home Based Vendors Guidance Document
Porter Country Health Dept

 

Pre-Market Day Updates/Weekly List and Map Planning

• Vendors MUST provide a valid, monitored email address in their application.
• Prior to each market, the Market Director will send a bulk email to ALL vendors (regardless of schedule) listing the planned vendors that week.
• If any vendor wishes to add/drop for that week they must inform the Market Director as soon as possible, no later than Friday by 12pm central.
• If you drop between invoicing and before Friday at 5pm, we will remove you from the market schedule and all social media posts.
• All final instructions and vendor maps will be sent out on each Friday afternoon.
• Any changes/edits to the market footprint to be made day of the market are solely at the discretion of the Market Director and staff. 

 

Vendor Space & Equipment Requirements

• Space size is 10 ft. wide x 10 ft. deep (unless additional space is requested and approved by Market Director).
• Spaces are awarded to vendors at time of application approval.
• Periodic vendor space locations will be assigned each week.
• Vendors shall provide their own tables, chairs, tent, and/or canopies, weights, signage and decor.
• All tents require a minimum of 25 pounds per leg (total 100lbs) to secure tents throughout market. Continued non-compliance could cause termination. No umbrellas are permitted.
• All electrical cords must be provided by vendor, minimum of 50 ft (110/220) -Please indicate if using a generator to ensure noise consideration to other vendors.
• Products stored in ice chests must maintain safe temperature during Market hours.
• Equipment must be clean, in working order and hazard free.
• Vendors will remove all equipment and garbage from space area at end of each market. No items should be left for pick up by the market staff and/or the town of Chesterton on the side of road, parking lot or park. Violations of this rule could cause terms for warning and subsequent removal from the rest of the market season.

 

Please note: Change in Payment of Booth Fees

• A Credit or Debit Card is REQUIRED to be on file with the Chamber for 2026.  
• Booth rental and utility (electriciy/water) is charged per week. 
• Booth rental WILL be charged by end of day Monday following market day. If any vendor has an unpaid balance they will not be allowed to vend at any subsequent market until their account is current. This means even if scheduled and approved, a vendor can be removed from the market for an outstanding balance. The Accounting Manager and Market Director will provide notice to the vendor. Declined payment could cause terms for removal from the rest of the market season.
• While not required, pre-payment is accepted by credit card, cash or check prior to scheduled market dates.
• All billing/account questions should be directed to the Accounting Manager, Kelly Sieman: kelly@dunelandchamber.org or 219-926-5513
• Payment information will be collected following approval.

 

Duneland Chamber Benefits

• All European Market vendors will now be automatically enrolled in a unique membership of the Duneland Chamber that will provide the following benefits automatically.
• Individual business listing on the Duneland Chamber online directory- specifically as European Market vendors. This webpage listing will have at a minimum the contact information as provided in the application, but the vendor is able to log in and make enhancements as they wish. 
• Gift Certificate Program - Vendors may signify whether they'd like to be a part of the Gift Certificate Program. If so, you will be listed on our list of participants when individuals purchase Chamber gift certificates. 
• Vendors may also provide business cards, brochures and other marketing materials specific to their business to be available to visitors in the Chamber office.

 

Staff Contact Info

Market Director: Cathi Rogers
cathi@dunelandchamber.org
Cell: 312-965-9114

Accounting Director: Kelly Sieman
kelly@dunelandchamber.org
Office: 219-926-5513

Chamber President: Maura Mundell
maura@dunelandchamber.org
Office: 219-926-5513

*Remember to print or save a copy of this application, with the dates your have chosen and all rules for the European Market, for your records. You are responsible to adhere to all written rules and guidelines provided in this document. 

*All approved vendors are required to attend one zoom call prior to Opening Day of the market.