COUNTRY THUNDER MUSIC FESTIVALS

2027 FOOD VENDOR APPLICATION 

Thank you for your interest in becoming a vendor at one of our 2027 Country Thunder Music Festivals! Initial applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and submissions will be accepted until all spaces are filled.

Filling out an application does not guarantee participation, so please do not send in any money with your application.

For questions or inquiries while filling out the application, please email: vendors@countrythunder.com.

Due to the high volume of inquiries we receive, we kindly ask that you refrain from contacting the office regarding the status of your application. Responding to individual status inquiries can slow down the overall approval process. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

PLEASE CAREFULLLY READ THROUGH THIS APPLICATION.

INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION:

- Contact/Business information

- Tax ID

- Concession stand Name/Menu/Product List                           

- Complete footprint requested (including hitch, awnings, and BOH space)

- Power needs 

- Photos, social channels, website links

 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS IF/WHEN CONTRACT IS EXTENDED (For informational purposes only):

- Proof of Liability and Auto Insurance

- Certificate of Insurance listing Country Thunder Holdings, LLC as additionally insured.

- Proper County Approved Temporary Health Permit/ Paperwork for the event period.     

Please take a moment to review pertinent rules and regulations for all vendors before continuing on to the application. If you feel you cannot commit to/comply with the following rules, please do not continue the application process.

FESTIVAL HOURS: On event days, vendors are expected to be open, staffed and ready for business when the gates open and are required to operate continuously until 11:00pm. Closing early is not permitted and if your stand is found un-staffed, it will be grounds for dismissal. As the festival gates are open until 2:00am, we allow and encourage you to stay open later than 11:00pm to serve the remaining patrons.

REQUIRED HOURS (**Subject to change**)

Thurs.      2:00pm – 11:00pm  (If applicable) 

Friday      1:00pm – 11:30pm

Sat.          1:00pm – 11:30pm

Sun.         1:00pm – 11:00pm

 

TENTS: ABSOLUTELY NO POP-UP TENTS WILL BE ALLOWED. This applies to your vending set-up, prep-area, etc. Pop-up tents present a hazard to staff, patrons, and anyone at the festival as they cannot be properly secured. All tents must be weighted down, made up of government approved and fire rated canvas, and approved by the local Health region. Exceptions will not be made, and you will be denied set-up/access to the festival if you do not have proper tents arranged. Country Thunder will help facilitate tent rentals, if needed, during the contract process.

 

LOCATION RESPONSIBILITY: Vendors are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of their vending location throughout the festival and for completing all clean-up following the conclusion of the festival.

If your vending site is found with trash, items, equipment, or other materials remaining after load-out, you will be denied access to future Country Thunder Festivals and will automatically forfeit your security deposit. Please see the Fee Information section for additional details.

***Putting your trash beside the closest garbage can is not acceptable. Please use the supplied dumpsters and grease bins. You must provide a fire extingusher for each concession site, and ANY/ALL cooking must be taken off site after the event!!!!***

 

SUBSTANCE USE POLICY (Alcohol and Drugs): Vendors are strictly prohibited from selling, distributing, possessing, or consuming alcohol or illegal drugs while on duty or at the vending site at any time. This includes all areas within and around the vending booth space. Additionally, operating a booth while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any impairing substance is grounds for immediate dismissal and forfeiture of the security deposit. Compliance with this policy is mandatory to ensure a safe, professional, and family-friendly environment.

 

MENU BOARDS/PRICES: All prices must be visible at all times during business hours. You are only approved to sell the products listed within your contract. Once the festival is 60 days away, menu edits/requests cannot not be considered.

 

F&B SALES: At the festival, all food and beverage sales are purchased through the festival provided cashless payment and credit card acceptance platform. CASH SALES ARE NOT PERMITTED! Cash tips are accepted. ALL settlements will occur with festival staff after the festival ends via email and electronic funds transfer. 

***The festival will not distribute any checks or finalize settlements onsite. ***

SECURITY DEPOSIT:  All vendors are required to pay a $500 refundable security deposit.

The $500 security deposit will be refunded via electronic transfer following the completion of the festival, provided that the vendor:

- Leaves their assigned space clean and free of trash, grease, and additional items after load-out.
- Follows all festival rules, policies, and guidelines.
- Remains present and properly staffed during all required festival days and hours.

The security deposit will be automatically forfeited if any of the following occur:

- The vendor leaves the festival before the approved end time or prior to the completion of the festival.
- The vendor's booth or stand is found unstaffed during required festival hours.
- The vendor leaves items, equipment, trash, grease, or debris in their assigned space after load-out.
- The vendor is found participating in or engaging in prohibited substance use during the festival.
- The vendor fails to show up for the festival without prior approval.
- The vendor withdraws or cancels their participation within 60 days of the festival.

By submitting the security deposit, vendors acknowledge and agree to these terms. The security deposit is intended to ensure compliance with festival requirements and proper care of the vendor's assigned space.

 

PARTICIPATION FEES: 

- $1,500 + 25% commission of sales are due to Country Thunder (Based on a maximum of 30' frontage). This fee includes your vending space and power (max of 50amps 220V) for your vending unit. Additional frontage and/or power can be purchased. Tax is not included in this price. 

- The $1,500 fee must be paid within the deadlines provided by the festival in order to secure your vending space. If payment or arragements are not made within the timeline of the contract & invoice issue date, you will forfeit your spot. 

- The percentage can be reduced to 23% IF the vendor provides a $25.00 value meal which includes a main, side, and a drink, OR a $5 or $10 main. All items must be displayed on your menu.

 

ADDITIONAL POWER: If you have additional power needs (ex. stock trailer) applicable power charges will apply depending on the amount requested.

110/120 Volt Connection	220/240 Volt Connection
20 AMPS - $250	50 AMPS - $350
30 AMPS - $300	60 AMPS - $400
	80 - 100 AMPS - $600

 

*For additional frontage, power or special arrangements including exclusivity inquiries, please contact vendors@countrythunder.com.*

APPLICATION

VENDOR SPACE INFORMATION

VENDING STAND POWER NEEDS

PRODUCT/MENU 

At Country Thunder, we welcome a variety of vendors that can provide options for our patrons to enjoy over the weekend. We carefully review presentation, items, and pricing when selecting our vendors and keep our patron demographics and size of attendance in mind when selecting invited participants.

Please submit at least two photos of your booth fully set-up, and at least two photos of your products for review.

If you do not submit any photos, your application will be last to be reviewed.

Please note all concession units must be clean, shiney, and nicely decorated... lights & flags help to draw attention to your unit.

Please provide a list of products and pricing below including any vegan, vegetarian, special diet offerings, or value meals. 

If menus and pricing are not provided, we will not be able to process your application. 

Thank you for your interest in our festival(s). Please note that applying for the event does not guarantee participation, and we will carefully review all applications and reach out if we have any additional questions.

As we get many inquiries, please refrain from contacting the office regarding the status of your application.