Great Northern Viking Festival Food Vendor Application

Join us as a Food Vendor at the Great Northern Viking Festival!

Our festival is not just an event; it’s an immersive journey into the realm of the Vikings. The Great Northern Viking Festival is unlike traditional festivals – we strive to create an engaging, interactive experience where patrons feel as though they've stepped into a legendary Viking world.

We invite vendors who share our passion for Viking history, culture, and craftsmanship to be part of this one-of-a-kind experience. Our festival offers a unique opportunity to showcase your products while engaging with guests in a lively, themed environment.

The 3rd annual Great Northern Viking Festival will take place on a beautiful wooded site where the rivers meet in Mankato, Minnesota, just over an hour and a half south of the Twin Cities. The festival takes place on Saturday, June 13th and Sunday, June 14th, 2026.

Family-Friendly Days: 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday, June 13th (21+ Evening): 8:00 PM - Midnight

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🛡️ Food Vendor Application Process

📌 Important Vendor Type.
This application is for 🍗 Food & Drink Vendors Only!

We’re excited you’re applying to join our Viking marketplace!

1️⃣ Apply
Complete and submit the food vendor application form in full.

2️⃣ Application Review
We review applications in the order they are received.
You will receive a response within 72 hours confirming:

• That your application has been received
• Whether additional product photos or info are needed

📌 If you do not hear from us within 72 hours, please email:
gnvfvendor@gmail.com

3️⃣ Acceptance Email
If approved, you will receive:

• Official acceptance confirmation
• Your private payment link
• Media submission instructions

4️⃣ Payment Secures Your Space

💳 The payment link will be emailed directly to accepted vendors.

• Payment must be made within 30 days of acceptance
• Unpaid applications do not reserve booth space.

You are not officially registered until payment is received.

If payment is not made within 30 days of approval, the current updated registration pricing tier applies. If payment is not received within 45 days of approval, it will void your application. If fewer than 30 days remain until the festival, payment is due in full by June 7th.

5️⃣ Submit Required Media
Once accepted, vendors must provide:

• Business name (as it should appear in promotions)
• Business logo (PNG preferred)
• 2–5 high-quality product or booth photos OR
• A 15–30 second raw product/process/booth video

📩 Media must be emailed separately for formatting and approval.
Submission grants Northern Woman Productions, LLC authorization to use the media for festival promotion.

6️⃣ Final Instructions
As the event approaches, you will receive:

• Check-in & load-in schedule
• Parking information
• Food truck or food booth placement
• Festival-weekend reminders

📌 Every step of this process must be completed to remain a confirmed vendor.

📧 Vendor Support
gnvfvendor@gmail.com

⚔️ Skål — together we make the marketplace legendary!

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🍗 Food Vendor Options

🌙 Friday Evening (6:00 PM – 9:30 PM)
Private service — not open to the general public
Serving: campers, vendors, staff, volunteers, and entertainment

🍳 Saturday Breakfast (8:00 AM – 10:00 AM)
Private service — not open to the general public
Serving: campers, vendors, staff, volunteers, and entertainment

⚔️ Saturday Day Festival (10:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
Open to the general public

🔥 Saturday Night — A Night in Valhalla (7:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
21+ ticketed event
Serving: adult guests (21+)

🍳 Sunday Breakfast (8:00 AM – 10:00 AM)
Private service — not open to the general public
Serving: campers, vendors, staff, volunteers, and entertainment

⚔️ Sunday Day Festival (10:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
Open to the general public

💡 Note: Not all vendors will be approved for every time slot. Placement is based on menu variety, balance, and festival needs.

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💰 Food Vendor Payment Information

To ensure a reliable, well-balanced food experience for our guests, we collect a vendor fee to help cover festival operations and secure committed food vendors.

The vendor fee is a flat rate per approved food vendor — not per time slot.

⚔️ Regular Rate (Feb 1 – April 30, 2026): $50
⚠️ Late Registration (May 1 – June 6, 2026): $75

This fee allows approved vendors to participate in any approved vending time slots throughout the festival weekend.

Vendors may apply for one or multiple time slots. Final participation schedule will be confirmed upon acceptance.

Late Registration is subject to availability and market balance.
If your product category is already well-represented, your application may not be accepted.

🚨 Final Cutoff: June 6th, 2026
No applications will be accepted after this date.

The final vendor roster will be locked on June 7th.
Any vendor not paid in full by this date will be removed from the list.

Payment Terms:
• Payment is required to secure your spot
• Payment must be made within 30 days of acceptance
• If payment is not made within 30 days, the current pricing tier will apply
• If payment is not received within 45 days, your application will be voided
• If fewer than 30 days remain until the festival, full payment is due by June 7th

🛖 Non-Profit Organizations
Contact us to inquire about complimentary vendor space.

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Vendor Refund & Cancellation Policy

All vendor payments are non-refundable once a vendor has been accepted into the Great Northern Viking Festival.

This policy applies regardless of:
• Vendor cancellation for any reason
• Schedule conflicts or staffing issues
• Weather conditions (event is rain or shine)
• Failure to comply with festival rules or arrival requirements
• Removal from the event due to non-compliance with booth, garb, safety, or conduct standards
• Business/financial changes or any other vendor-related circumstance

If a vendor fails to attend or is late and unable to set up before festival opening times, no refund and no credit will be granted.
Booth spaces cannot be prorated, discounted, or credited if a vendor chooses to close early.

Event Cancellation 
If the festival (in part or full) must be canceled due to circumstances outside the control of Northern Woman Productions LLC, including but not limited to severe weather, natural disaster, fire, government restriction, venue evacuation, or acts of God — the festival may:

• Reschedule the event and transfer vendor payments to the new dates, or
• Issue partial refunds at the sole discretion of Northern Woman Productions LLC after financial review

No additional compensation will be provided for travel, lodging, stock, or other business expenses.

Transfers & Replacement Vendors
With written approval only, a vendor may request to transfer their space to another qualified vendor.
Replacement vendors must meet theme standards and be approved in advance by festival management.

Refunds are never provided through vendor-to-vendor arrangements.

Space Assignment Changes
Festival management reserves the right to adjust booth placement or configuration at any time for safety, layout optimization, or operational needs.
Changes do not qualify a vendor for any refund or credit.

Agreement to Terms
By completing the vendor application, submitting payment, and/or attending the event, the vendor acknowledges and agrees to the above terms in full.

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💰 Great Northern Viking Festival Sponsors – Sponsors receive free booths, free camping, and extra promotion. We offer monetary and product/service-based sponsorship opportunities. Visit our Sponsor Page for details!

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**Vendor Setup Dates/Times**

 

Friday Evening Vending: (6:00 PM – 9:30 PM)
Private service — not open to the general public

This service is for: campers, vendors, staff, volunteers, and entertainment only.

Set up on Friday, June 12th between 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM.

Friday vendor gate access: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Patron campers begin arriving at 6:00 PM. No early Friday arrivals will be permitted before 2:00 PM.

Saturday Breakfast Vending: June 13 (8:00 AM – 10:00 AM)
Private service — not open to the general public

This service is for: campers, vendors, staff, volunteers, and entertainment.

Saturday vendor gate access: 7:30 AM (No early arrivals permitted before 7:30 AM)
All vendors must be fully set up and ready for sales by 8:30 AM.

Saturday Daytime Festival Vending: June 13 (10:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
Open to the general public

Saturday vendor gate access: 7:30 AM (No early arrivals permitted before 7:30 AM)
All vendors must be fully set up and ready for sales by 10:00 AM.

Saturday A Night in Valhalla Vending: June 13 (7:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
21+ ticketed event

This service is for: adult guests attending A Night in Valhalla (21+ only).

Saturday A Night in Valhalla vendor setup access is between 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
All vendors must be fully set up and ready for sales by 7:30 PM at the latest.

Sunday Breakfast Vending: June 14 (8:00 AM – 10:00 AM)
Private service — not open to the general public

This service is for: campers, vendors, staff, volunteers, and entertainment.

Sunday vendor gate access: 7:30 AM (No early arrivals permitted before 7:30 AM)
All vendors must be fully set up and ready for sales by 8:30 AM.

Sunday Daytime Festival Vending: June 14 (10:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
Open to the general public

Sunday vendor gate access: 7:30 AM (No early arrivals permitted before 7:30 AM)
All vendors must be fully set up and ready for sales by 10:00 AM.

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⚔️ Viking Immersion Standards — Booth & Garb Expectations

Our guests arrive expecting to step into a Viking world — and you are part of that magic.

To keep the experience immersive and cohesive across the festival:

Food Booth Appearance

• Booths must visually reflect a Viking or Norse-inspired style if you are operating a food booth.
• Modern elements (coolers, plastic bins, bright colors, logos, etc.) should be concealed as much as possible using neutral fabrics such as linen, canvas, or burlap.

Food Truck Appearance

We encourage food trucks to incorporate Viking-inspired menu item names and themed signage where possible.

Clear, large, and easy-to-read menu signage is required. If lines form, guests should be able to decide what to order before reaching the front.

While full theming is not required for food trucks, effort toward immersion is strongly encouraged and appreciated.

⚔️ Viking Garb Expectations

Booth staff must wear Viking-appropriate clothing during festival hours if operating a food booth.
(Garb is not required for food trucks, but is strongly encouraged.)

We welcome:
✔ Historically inspired Viking garb
✔ Viking-fantasy-inspired outfits

If you do not yet have Viking garb:
→ All-black or all-brown clothing with minimal visible modern logos is acceptable

Not permitted:
✘ Renaissance, medieval, pirate, sci-fi, steampunk, or non-Viking cosplay styles
✘ Bright modern colors, graphics, or visible branding

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Vendor Promotion Partnership
We love celebrating our vendors! Once accepted, we encourage you to share that you'll be joining us at the Great Northern Viking Festival. We’ll also be promoting your business across our website and social platforms to help drive excitement and traffic to your booth!

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What Makes Our Festival Unique?

Immersive Atmosphere: We encourage vendors to fully embrace the Viking spirit. Your booth should reflect the Viking era, whether you sell handmade crafts, historical reproductions, or delicious fare. Vendors are encouraged to interact with patrons, share the stories behind their goods, and contribute to the overall atmosphere.

Themed Booths: To maintain the historical and fantasy feel of the festival, we ask that all vendor booths are Viking-themed. If your setup includes a modern pop-up tent with bright colors, we require you to cover it with linen, tarp, or a similar material in neutral tones like brown or tan.

Viking Garb: Vendors and their staff are expected to wear Viking-style clothing during festival hours. 

Not sure where to start? We can provide suggestions to help you achieve the right look without breaking the bank.

Interactive Experience: Our festival features roaming Viking characters who may guide patrons to your booth, encouraging interaction, curiosity, and sales. Vendors who engage with patrons and embrace the interactive spirit often find their experience more rewarding.

Sales and Engagement: This is more than a vendor marketplace – it’s an opportunity to connect, educate, and entertain. Interactive demos, product storytelling, and hands-on activities are highly encouraged.
Join the Journey!

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🏕️ Vendor Camping & Glamping Information

Primitive tent camping is available for vendors at a rate of $25 per tent for the full weekend.

RV Camping:
• Available by approval only — please email us in advance
• $40 for the full weekend
• Boondocking only (no hookups)
• Very limited availability

Car/Van Camping:
• Allowed in designated areas only
• $25 for the full weekend

⚠️ All camping must be pre-approved and is limited based on available space.

✨ New for 2026 — Glamping Options Available!

Skip the hassle of setup and enjoy a more comfortable festival experience.

Our fully set-up glamping tents include:
• Queen-sized bed with linens and blankets
• Dresser and seating
• Cooler and additional comforts

Arrive, settle in, and enjoy the weekend — no setup required.

📩 Message us for details and availability (limited spots).

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Food Vendor & Food Truck Rules & Expectations

1. Self-Contained Operation
All food vendors must be fully self-contained.

No electrical hookups are provided.

Vendors must supply their own:

Power and generators
Lighting (including evening events)
Cooking equipment
Water systems
Waste containment

2. Load-In & Load-Out

Vendors must be fully operational and ready to serve by their approved vending time.

Vendors arriving after their approved load-in window may forfeit their assigned space without refund.

Load-Out:

All equipment, trash, grease, and materials must be removed. Vendors may be charged for any cleanup required.

3. Attendance Commitment
Approved vendors are expected to attend all confirmed vending periods.

Failure to attend without prior written notice may result in:

Forfeiture of vendor fees
Ineligibility for future festivals
Cancellations within 7 days of the event without documented emergency may result in loss of future participation eligibility.

Vendor fees secure participation commitment, not merely space reservation.

4. Parking
• One parking pass per vendor
• Additional vehicles may be required to park off-site
• No parking in patron areas during festival hours

Northern Woman Productions, LLC is not responsible for damage, theft, or loss.

5. Waste, Water & Grease
Vendors must:
Remove all trash, grey water, and grease offsite
Prevent spills and surface damage
No dumping of any kind is permitted on festival grounds.

6. Generators & Power
Generators are permitted and must be inverter-style when possible. Preferred sound level: 70dB or lower. Vendors must provide adequate lighting for evening service.

7. Health, Safety & Sanitation
Vendors must operate in full compliance with Minnesota Department of Health and local regulations.

Vendors are responsible for: Required handwashing systems
Proper sanitation supplies
Safe food storage and temperature control
Wastewater containment
All required food permits must be available onsite. Vendors must cooperate with any health or safety inspections. If shut down by officials due to non-compliance, no refund will be issued.

8. Operating Hours
Vendors must remain open and operational during their approved vending hours.

Opening late or closing early without approval may result in a $50 fine and impact future participation.

Vendors must maintain adequate staffing and product inventory.

The festival does not guarantee attendance, sales volume, or revenue.

9. Menu & Sales
Only approved menu items may be sold.

Alcohol sales are strictly prohibited. 

The festival reserves the right to limit duplicate food categories.

Vendors are responsible for collecting and remitting all applicable Minnesota sales tax.

10. Space & Crowd Flow
Vendors must operate within their assigned footprint.

Equipment, signage, cords, and customer lines must not obstruct walkways, emergency lanes, or neighboring vendors.

Festival management may require adjustments for safety or crowd flow.

11. Weather & Schedule Changes
This is an outdoor event on natural terrain.

Vendors must be prepared for uneven ground and weather conditions.

The event is rain or shine.

Festival management may modify schedules due to severe weather or safety concerns.

12. Staff & Credentials
• The named vendor or approved representative must be present
• All staff must wear vendor credentials
• Vendor passes may not be shared or given to non-working guests

Vendor staff must follow all 21+ policies during A Night in Valhalla.

13. Insurance
All food vendors must carry general liability insurance:

Minimum Coverage:

$500,000 per occurrence
$1,000,000 aggregate
Product liability coverage required
A Certificate of Insurance listing Northern Woman Productions, LLC as additionally insured must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the event.

14. Professional Conduct
Vendors and staff must conduct themselves professionally and respectfully at all times. Unsafe, disruptive, or non-compliant behavior may result in removal without refund.

15. Promotion & Media
Vendors are expected to promote their participation. By submitting photos or video, vendors grant permission for promotional use.

16. Agreement
Submission of application and payment indicates agreement to all rules. Acceptance is not final until all required documentation and payment are completed.

Vendor staff A Night in Valhalla ticket details by registration tier:

• Regular Rate (Feb. 1 – Apr. 30): Includes 1 GA vendor staff ticket after vending + extra GA vendor staff tickets at special vendor pricing.

• Late (May 1 – June 6): Includes 1 GA vendor staff ticket after vending + extra GA vendor staff tickets at standard ticket pricing.

**Important:
Special vendor ticket rates apply only to individuals officially listed as working in your booth.
These discounted vendor tickets cannot be used for friends, family, or anyone not working your booth.

**Note: Vendor staff access to A Night in Valhalla = General Admission only.
VIV/VIP perks require purchasing a VIV ticket or joining as a sponsor.

Liability, Indemnification & Agreement of Responsibility

By completing and signing this form, Vendor agrees to comply with all festival rules, policies, deadlines, safety requirements, and all applicable Minnesota laws and permits.

Vendor acknowledges and agrees that all vendor payments are non-refundable for any reason, including but not limited to: weather, illness, emergencies, scheduling conflicts, camping conditions, event layout changes, or removal due to rule violations.

Vendor assumes full and sole responsibility for their booth, operations, merchandise, equipment, and the supervision, behavior, and safety of all individuals working in or associated with their booth, whether paid or unpaid. This includes setup, teardown, interactions with patrons, and overnight camping. This responsibility extends to any person directly or indirectly affected by Vendor operations, including but not limited to customers, patrons, guests, volunteers, or any individuals interacting with Vendor’s booth or services.

Business, Insurance & Permit Responsibility
Vendor is solely responsible for all business operations conducted at their booth, including but not limited to:
• Liability insurance coverage appropriate for their business activities
• Sales tax collection, reporting, and payment
• Any required business licenses or sales permits
• Health department permits (if applicable)
• Product safety and consumer law compliance

Vendor agrees that Northern Woman Productions, LLC and affiliated entities assume no responsibility for vendor insurance, tax obligations, or legal compliance.

Compliance With Law & Safety Rules
Vendor certifies that all items, activities, and behavior conducted by their booth, staff, or associates will comply with all federal, state, county, and local laws and ordinances — including but not limited to fire, weapons, health department, and environmental regulations. Vendor agrees to provide permits or licenses upon request.

Assumption of Risk & Environmental Conditions
Vendor acknowledges that the festival and camping grounds are primitive and may include uneven terrain, mud, weather exposure, insects or wildlife, open fires, limited lighting, minimal security, outhouse-style facilities, and other natural or environmental hazards. Vendor and their staff freely accept these risks and release the festival organizers from liability for injuries or losses arising from such conditions, except in cases of gross negligence.

Vendors selling weapons or edged products agree to follow all festival safety and peace-tethering requirements and may be required to provide safety documentation or insurance at the discretion of festival management.

Vendor hereby agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless:

Northern Woman Productions, LLC
Great Northern Viking Festival
A Night in Valhalla
Jack & Diane McGowan Farm 
and all event staff, volunteers, representatives, contractors, and affiliates

…from any and all claims, demands, damages, losses, injuries (to persons or property), theft, fire, wildlife encounters, weather events, camping incidents,including any injury, illness, or damages to patrons arising from products or services sold, displayed, demonstrated, or provided by the Vendor or any liability arising out of or in any way connected to Vendor’s participation in the event or use of the venue property. Including any injury, illness, allergic reaction, property damage, or other harm to patrons or third parties arising from any product sold, service provided, demonstration conducted, or equipment operated by the Vendor

In the event of any claims, demands, loss, or liability arising under this section, Vendor agrees that their obligation to defend shall include the payment of all reasonable attorney’s fees and all costs of defense and/or litigation, mediation, arbitration, or any similar claims process.

Vendor understands and agrees that individual owners, staff, and volunteers shall not be held personally liable under any circumstances.

Overnight Security & Personal Property Disclaimer
The Vendor assumes full responsibility for the safety and security of all personal property, equipment, inventory, tools, vehicles, trailers, and tents belonging to them or their staff. Festival organizers are not liable for theft, loss, damage, or injury to such property.  Vendor accepts full responsibility for ensuring their booth staff complies with all age restrictions for A Night in Valhalla.

Media & Promotional Release
Vendor grants permission to Northern Woman Productions, LLC, the Great Northern Viking Festival, and its designees to photograph, film, livestream, or record video or audio of vendor booths, products, and staff during the event. Vendor agrees that such media may be used for promotional, marketing, and archival purposes, in any format, now or in the future, without compensation or additional approval. Vendor represents that all individuals working in their booth have consented to be photographed or recorded for these purposes. Vendor waives any claims related to the use of event media, including but not limited to privacy or publicity rights.

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any disputes shall be resolved exclusively within Minnesota courts.

Festival management reserves the right to modify, update, or enforce additional rules, policies, or layout changes at any time for safety, legal compliance, weather conditions, or operational needs. Vendor agrees to comply with any such changes as a condition of continued participation.

If any provision of this Agreement is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by such determination.

By signing below, Vendor acknowledges full understanding and agreement to all terms listed above and in the official festival rules and regulations.

 

 If you have any questions about the application process, vending requirements, or the festival, please contact us:

gnvfvendor@gmail.com

We look forward to reviewing your application and hope to welcome you to the Great Northern Viking Festival!