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  • MFA Food Vendor Application

    Food Vendor Applications are now open for the annual Midsummer Festival of the Arts (MFA) at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center (JMKAC). We are pleased to offer you the opportunity to present your cuisine during this free family-friendly event.  

    MFA will feature art, live music, hands-on workshops, connecting community activities, and much more. It is a family/community-oriented event and will attract a wide demographic. The dates of MFA in 2026 are: 

    Saturday, July 18th

    Sunday, July 19th

    Power will be provided for the above dates, and vendors must commit to both dates.   

    If interested in applying, please complete the online application no later than Friday, May 1, 2026, by 5:00 pm. Food truck acceptance notifications will be sent Tuesday, May 5, 2026. In addition, please be advised that it is MANDATORY for all accepted food vendors to attend the meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 3:30 pm in the John Michael Kohler Arts Center CAFE. Should you have further questions, please contact Renee Wagner, Events and Hospitality Coordinator at rwagner@jmkac.org.

    We look forward to receiving your application and tasting your delectable cuisine! 

    Best regards, 

    JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTER 

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  • Renee Wagner
    Events and Hospitality Coordinator 

  • Food Vendor Information 

     

    Selection Process:

    The Arts Center has 14 available spots for vendors. No applications will be considered after the application deadline. Please do not include payment with your application. Vendors selected to participate will submit payment at the mandatory vendor meeting on Thursday, June 4th. All applications will be reviewed after the submission deadline by a selection committee. Food trucks will be selected based on the following criteria:

    1. Menu Diversity: A range of offerings that contribute to a well‑rounded event lineup.
    2. Distinctive Offerings: Signature items, creative concepts, or unique culinary styles that help your truck stand out.
    3. Local Preference: Priority will be given to vendors based in Sheboygan and the surrounding area.

    Policies and Procedures:  

    • Vendors must be prepared to operate within the parameters of the festival grounds for the duration of the festival.
    • The dining area will be set up on the City Green.
    • Selected vendors will be required to have their station in place, set up and staffed on Saturday, July 18th by 8:00am, and Sunday, July 20th, by 9:00am.
    • The festival ends at 5:00pm on Saturday, July 18th, and 4:00pm on Sunday, July 19th. The vendors may park overnight in their assigned spots from Saturday to Sunday. 
    • The preassigned slot and the road-in order will be introduced to the vendors during the mandatory meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 4th. It will be determined on (1) power and road-in time requirements; (2) emergency accessibility. Please be advised that those positions are not subject to negotiation, and accommodation is limited.    
    • Vendors selected may only sell food products and products that are associated with food. Ex: Collectable cookie jar with cookie purchase.

    Vouchers:

    This year each MFA artist will receive $50 dollars' worth of vouchers to use for purchasing food. At the end of day during the festival, food vendors must remain at their location where the Event Hospitality Coordinator will collect and pay out all vouchers. We will not reimburse your vouchers after MFA has completed so be sure to turn in ALL vouchers on the days of the festival. 

    Setup:  

    • Vendors may arrive between 1pm and 4pm on Friday, July 17th and park their vehicles overnight in their assigned spots.
    • All vendors must have their booth in place prior to 8am on Saturday, July 18th.
    • All food must be prepared to serve by 10:00 a.m. on both Saturday, July 18th, and Sunday, July 19th.  

     

    No Exceptions. Violators may not be considered for years to follow. 

     

  • 2026 Midsummer Festival of the Arts
    Food Vendor Application 

    All forms are due no later than Friday, May 23, 2026

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • If you are a traveling vendor whose business is not operated in conjunction with a local restaurant or catering business, you must provide the Arts Center with: 

  •  - -
  • Food and non-alcoholic beverage vendor pricing: $260
    Please do not send payment until you are notified that your food truck is selected.

    Food Truck/Trailer/Tent:
     

  • Menu Options  

    The Arts Center will be the sole provider of all alcoholic beverages for all dates to support the 2026 Midsummer Festival of the Arts. If non-approved food or beverages are served, Food Vendor will be terminated without a refund. 

  • Rows
  • Approved menu options cannot be changed without the MFA Committee’s permission. Failure to fulfill this requirement could result in the termination of your participation permission.

  •  Legal Agreement  

    Weather Conditions
    The MFA operates regardless of weather conditions unless we encounter some extreme weather conditions. Food vendors are expected to continue to man their stations unless given permission by the festival organizers to shut down due to extreme weather.  

    Cancellation by John Michael Kohler Arts Center Refunds. If John Michael Kohler Arts Center must close a food vendor’s station due to the vendor’s breach of this Contract or Code of Conduct, such cancellation shall be treated as a “Cancellation by the Vendor,” addressed below. If acts or causes beyond the control of the parties, including, but not limited to, accidents, labor disputes, pandemics, epidemics or other outbreaks of diseases or other infections, acts of war or terrorism, military or armed conflicts, insurrections, rebellions, riots, explosions, lightning, earthquakes, fires, storms, and floods make it impossible for the MFA to proceed or, if at the discretion of JMKAC any such acts or causes require cancellation of the MFA for safety or security reasons, at the discretion of JMKAC, a portion of the flat fee made by the Vendor to JMKAC may be refunded, and this Contract shall be terminated.  

    Absence. All Vendors are required to maintain their Season Availability throughout the course of the year; removing any dates that are no longer available and identifying ahead of time any potential time conflicts for the MFA dates. Contact the Arts Center prior to each festival in the event of being unable to attend unexpectedly, unless it is due to a true emergency. Failure to do so may result in a “Cancellation by the Vendor,” addressed below.   

    Cancellation by the Vendor. Should the vendor terminate their participation in the MFA at any time after payment is made, the Client must contact the Arts Center to inform of its absence and forfeit the nonrefundable fee.  

    No Liability for Cancellation. IN NO INSTANCE WILL JMKAC BE LIABLE FOR ANY EXPENSES OR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ANY CANCELLATION OR TERMINATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FOOD AND SUPPLY COSTS, STAFF TIME, TRAVEL OR ADVERTISING EXPENSES, OR ANY LOSS OF GOODWILL OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR ECONOMIC DAMAGES. 

    By submitting this application, I agree to be bound by all rules, policies, and statements herein. I understand that by submitting this application, I give permission to the JMKAC to use my images for publicity or other purposes for the MFA.  

    JMKAC is neither responsible nor liable for personal injury or loss/damage of property belonging to any food vendor. I, the food vendor, release and hold harmless JMKAC/John Michael Kohler Arts Center, their officers, directors, staff, volunteers, and agents from any claims including attorneys’ fees relating to such personal injury or damage. 

  • As the manager/owner of , I acknowledge that I abide by the health code regulations provided by Sheboygan County Department of Public Health and agree to abide by these codes. I understand that I am responsible for providing staff, tents, tables, carts (for traveling food vendors), refrigeration or heating devices, cooking utensils, serving supplies, signage, and any other supplies necessary to operate my food station. I recognize that I am obligated to staff my food station throughout the scheduled hours of the MFA.  

  • Code of Conduct 

    Midsummer Festival of the Arts  

    This Code of Conduct was created to provide the best understanding of the festivals organized by John Michael Kohler Arts Center. The John Michael Kohler Arts Center is committed to providing a safe and welcoming experience for all festival participants. All participating Vendors are expected to abide by this Code of Conduct.  

    • Missing deadlines for event confirmation, application submission, or fee payment will result in the need to schedule another truck for the event. 
    • Ensure that all operational inspections (required by City of Sheboygan and Sheboygan Public Health Services) are current and can provide proof of one-million-dollar Product Liability Insurance and must name the John Michael Kohler Arts Center as an Additional Insured.  
    • Cooperate with other Food Truck owners to allow fair, shared access to the Food Truck parking spaces on 7th Street by participation in planned scheduling, and acknowledgment of the property of those allocated a scheduled slot.  
    • Ensure always having one staff/employee with the truck once on the event site.  

    Code of Conduct Violations 

    Violations of the Code of Conduct will be determined accordingly and may result in termination of the Contract or losing the eligibility to apply for future events. 

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