Welcome to the
Roots & Rhythm Marketplace!
Please note: This application is for Exhibitors ONLY. Exhibitors share information, provide resources, recruit participants, or increase awareness. They DO NOT sell merchandise during an event.
Examples include city departments, schools, organizations, nonprofits, community groups, etc.
The marketplace operates for seven weeks each year from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with one designated night market held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The market is divided between two locations, with specific dates assigned to each site to accommodate community access across the city.
Denbigh Community Center- 15198 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23608
June 13
June 27
July 11
July 18
King-Lincoln Park- 600 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607
July 25
August 1
August 8 — Night Market (5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.)
VENDOR APPLICATION/REGISTRATION FEE
There is no fee to apply to the Roots & Rhythm Farmers Market.
The market will not occur on the following community event dates:
- June 20 - Juneteenth Freedom Festival
- July 4 - Stars in the Sky
YOU WILL BE SENT A HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT THAT MUST BE TURNED IN VIA EMAIL OR IN PERSON AT YOUR FIRST MARKET.
MARKET OPENING, CLOSING, AND ATTENDANCE
Exhibitors must be in attendance when scheduled, set up is no later than 8:30am, ready to go by 9:45am, and available until closing of the market. Leaving early is prohibited. No shows will result in the exhibitor being removed from the market list. Notice of 48 hours will be required if you are unable to attend.
Vehicles: No vehicles may be operated in the park after 8:30am. Make sure you are unloaded, and your vehicle removed by that time. When vehicles are temporarily parked in the park for unloading before the market beigns, all unloading must be done in 15 minutes or less. Please unload your car and then park in a parking lot before setting up your tent and display. No vehicles will be allowed back into the park until instructed by event staff.
Early Sales: As this is an open-air market, attendees will be wandering in as early as 9:00am. Exhibitors are encouraged to be set up and ready to go in the case early attendees arrive.
Attendance: An exhibitor is expected to attend all markets s/he has confirmed with the Market Coordinator. If unable to attend a market, s/he is expected to inform the Market Coordinator no later than 9:00am on Thursday before the market. (In case of an emergency, please notify the Market Coordinator as soon as possible.) Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.
If the exhibitor does not fullfill his/her contractual obligation, the Market Coordinator reserves the right to remove the exhibitor from the remainder of the market season. Exhibitors with two warnings will be removed from the market line-up after a third occurrence.
Emails: The Market Coordinator prefers to communicate market news through regular emails. All exhibitors are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to have an email account. If they do not have one, it will still be their responsibility to stay updated on any market news and to check each week's list of vendors before the deadlines. A list of exhibitors will be emailed no later than Monday before each market. If the exhibitor does not receive emails, it is their responsibility to contact the Market Coordinator by noon on Tuesday each week to ensure that they are accurately listed for each market.
PROHIBITED DURING MARKET HOURS
- Selling during a lightning storm
- Generators (without the approval of the Market Coordinator)
- Damage to the asphalt
- Selling of any items bought from a wholesaler, auction, or retailer, or processed outside a 100-mile radius without permission of the Market Coordinator
- Processed foods not in compliance with Virginia Department of Agriculture regulations or Health Department. This is a great resource about the laws and regulations about food processing by VDACS. https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/kitchenbillfaq.pdf
- The slaughtering of any animals on site
- Cooking within the market area without prior approval by the Market Coordinator.
- Distribution of political campaign (or religious) materials without the approval of the market manager
- Smoking or vaping within the perimeter of the market
Exhibitors should notify the Market Coordinator of any unauthorized contact/solicitation during the market.
SPACE ASSIGNMENTS
Each exhibitor space accommodates 10'x10' tent with straight 90-degree sides. Few exhibitors will have assigned spaces. Most exhibitors will go in spaces as they arrive.
TENTS/TABLES/CHAIRS
We only supply the space for you at the market. You are responsible for your tent, tent walls, tables, chairs, displays, etc. ALL TENTS MUST HAVE WEIGHTS. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE WEIGHTS YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE. Few exhibitors will have assigned spaces. Most exhibitors will go in spaces as they arrive. We will fill the back of the park to the front to avoid the congestion of cars in the field. DO NOT SET UP YOUR TENT BEFORE YOU MOVE YOUR CAR.
QUESTIONS
Contact us if you have questions. Please call the Department of Parks & Recreation at (757) 926-1400, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., or e-mail walkeran@nnva.gov.
