Thank you for your interest in being a food/retail vendor for Downtown Reading's First Friday Block Party. Please complete this online application. It will automatically go to the City's Downtown Division.  Once accepted you will get an email about next steps and how to make permit payments. 

Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance into the event.    

Applications will be accepted until September 14th or until event space is considered full.  

Event Information

WHERE: 600 Block of Penn Street, Downtown Reading

WHEN: Friday, October 2, 2026 from 5pm-9pm

These events have NO raindate scheduled.

*Vendor Commitment - Before registering, please ensure you are able to commit to the event date. Last-minute cancellations and no-shows impact event planning. Vendors who cancel at the last minute or fail to attend without prior communication may have their participation in future Downtown Reading events affected.

Things to Know:

As a vendor, you must provide all of your own equipment, table, chairs, fire extinguishers. If in doubt, please ask.

A 10x10 space will be allocated for each vendor, unless otherwise discussed and approved.

Electricity access is NOT provided.

Fire Inspections will be conducted on site prior to the start of the events.  

City Permits: In addition to any event participation fee vendors are expected to obtain a City Special Event Business Privilege License ($15) & Health Permit Fee ($10). 

All vendors selling non-food goods must secure a special event business privilege license ($15.00) unless already licensed by the City of Reading. If you plan to participate in multiple events in the City, an annual business privilege license can be obtained for a one-time fee ($55).

All food vendors must secure a special event business privilege license ($15.00) and a special event health permit ($10.00).

PERMITS CAN BE OBTAINED IN-PERSON IN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER (1-27) OR ONLINE VIA THE CITY WEBSITE. (https://readingpa-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/selfservice#/home)

BUSINESS LICENSE:

RETAIL/NON-FOOD VENDORS – required:

• Photo ID
• EIN/FIN: business’s Federal ID number. If the business is a sole proprietorship and does not have an EIN/FIN, use the proprietor’s social security number.
• Completed Special Event Business Privilege License application                    ** If you already have a 2026 City of Reading Annual Business Privilege License please provide a copy.

HEALTH PERMIT:

FOOD VENDORS/RESTAURANTS/FOOD TRUCKS – required:

• ServSafe Certificate 
• PA Health Dept License
• Certificate of Insurance (COI) for The City of Reading 
• Photo ID 
• Completed Business Privilege Permit Application
• Event Health Permit Application
  ** If you already have a 2026 City of Reading ANNUAL Health Permit please provide a copy.

IMPORTANT VENDOR RULES AND INFORMATION – PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY

• No Smoking & No Pets allowed in the vendor area.
• Sales Tax – Each vendor is responsible for the collection, reporting and paying of their own sales tax for the items they sell. 
• Vendor Responsibilities –vendor displays & food truck areas must be set up in a professional, maintained manner, and cannot extend past the 10x10 space provided, unless authorized. Vendors are responsible for keeping their areas clean and ensuring all trash is picked up. Trash receptacles will be located throughout the event area.
• Applications – This vendor application form must approved by the City of Reading before any permit steps are taken. This is a City event and the event organizers reserve the right to deny an application or to prefer an application based on the fit of the vendor’s offerings with the event, to achieve a diversity of vendor products, and/or based on the relative quality and uniqueness of the vendor’s products, while abiding to City regulations.

The City of Reading is not responsible for the success or failure of any booth, or any items/products broken, stolen or damaged before, during or after the event. We reserve the right to revoke the contract of any vendor who is causing issues with other vendors, staff, or attendees. Failure to comply with the Vendor Participation Rules and Information could result in disbarment from any and/or all City of Reading events. We are dedicated to making this event a success.

To the extent allowed by law, I hereby release and hold harmless the City of Reading and workers/volunteers connected with this event in Reading from any damages or loss that I might incur during participation in the event. The City of Reading has my permission to use any photos I appear in during the Taco Fest event for promotional purposes. 

I have read the regulations, above, and agree to adhere to them.