Thank you for your interest in becoming an event vendor for the 2026 Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Summer/Fall season! You may submit a proposal for as many or few events as you'd like. This application is only for BPRW produced events.

Selection Process
All prospective vendors/non-profit or community organizations must submit the following by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, March 11, 2026:

Completed application form
Proposed menu/items list with pricing
1 current photo of booth/truck set-up & minimum of 2 photos of product(s)
Layout of booth/footprint (size of truck or tent)
Verification of previous vending experience

Evaluation criteria for ALL Vendors will include, but are not limited to:

• Ability to provide required insurance coverage of 2 million general aggregate, with the City of Burlington listed as additionally insured
• Vendor has all requisite permits and health code standards fullfilled
• Ability to serve hundreds (several thousands for July 3) of patrons, outdoors in variable weather
• Reasonable prices, quality and value of offerings
• Suitability of items sold for scope and scale of event
• Vending cart or structure’s aesthetic appeal
• Ability to commit to each event/series 
• Experience in the food and beverage concession business

NON PROFITS/KIDS DAY VENDORS: No need to upload photos unless you'd like, but please be sure to fill in the question section on page 3.

Vendor Setup: 

Please submit a proposed menu and/or items to be sold. You can add items or upload an image of your menu/items list as well.

Acceptance to Event:
Submittal of the application does not guarantee acceptance into the event. If accepted, Vendor will receive notification of acceptance, contract, and any vending fees that are due to Burlington Parks, Rec & Waterfront. Upon receipt of acceptance and contract, Vendor will have until 4/3/26 to return the signed contract. July 3rd Vendors must submit payment of fee in full by 5/15/26 or vending space will be forfeited. Vendor cancellation after 5/15 for July 3rd and less than 2 weeks before other fee-based events will result in a forfeit of vending fee

Other Stuff:
Failure to abide by all rules and regulations, as well as specific instructions provided in your confirmation will result in forfeiture of acceptance to future events. This includes attitude and demeanor to all BPRW staff, fellow Vendors, event attendees and volunteers.

WEATHER

If the event is shut down by the City of Burlington or emergency services for any reason (ex: inclement weather, major emergency) all vending must cease and remain closed until given the go-ahead to resume. Rain Dates will not be scheduled for any currently announced event with the exception of Beach Bites. Fee refunds will be granted only in the case of events shut down in an emergency manner or a vendor's withdraw from event within the given timeframe. 

 Vermont weather, especially summer as of recently, is...tricky.

·BPRW Events are largely rain or shine, with exceptions for extreme weather (heavy rain, high wind over 20 mph, lightning.) We suggest you travel with tarps and always have proper anchoring to stake your tent, even when the weather is just "iffy"

Asked them to stake their tent. Sadly, they did not stake their tent.

· BPRW will keep constant watch on weather predictions in the week before the event, monitoring radar and hourly weather predictions on numerous weather sites to make an Official Weather Cancellation (OWC). Rain will need to be greater than 70% chance, wind higher than 20 mph, or lightning to be in the forecast for us to consider a delay or close.

· If there is extreme weather three hours before the start of the event but looking like it will clear up, we will delay the event by one hour to ensure time to set up properly. If the forecast is still looking unfavorable an hour before the event, we will cancel the market with an OWC.

· If NOAA issues a severe weather warning for our area, we will follow the same procedure as noted above. This is only for a warning, which means the severe weather is imminent (as opposed to a watch).

· All weather communications will be via email and text group

MARKETING

While BPRW will market all events across our social media and other media partners, participating Vendors must commit to marketing events to the best of their ability within their own customer base/social media channels.

AMPLIFIED SOUND

Vendors must agree to not have amplified sound of any type within booth or trucks without express permission from BPRW