The Festival at the Friars' Gate Calls for Feasting!

Let your cauldrons bubble, your ovens warm, and your menus tempt the appetites of the masses. Join us, and be part of a grand tradition where every meal is a memory, and every bite a journey.

Applications are now open. Spots are limited and reviewed on a rolling basis. Submit your details, sample menu, and photographs of your setup.

Food Vendor Terms and Conditions

Please read the policies and procedures guidelines very carefully. All policies and procedures will be enforced. In addition to the Festival at the Friars' Gate Policies and Procedures, all participants are required to comply with State, County and Local codes and regulations.

• Food vendors will potentially be subject to inspection by SCDA, DOR, and the Irmo Fire Marshall

APPLICATION PROCESS COMPLETION

Application must be complete and submitted by March 31. Space may run out before that date, so we encourage vendors to apply as soon as possible

CONFIRMATION OF ACCEPTANCE

If accepted for participation, a confirmation will be emailed and payment will become due upon receipt of notification. Candidates have 60 days to complete the process or their acceptance will expire.

NOTIFICATION OF DECLINE

If not accepted for participation, an email notification will be sent to the applicant promptly. The Council of Elders meets once a month and will make decisions on applicants during those meetings. 

CHECK-IN and SET-UP PROCEDURES 

Food Vendors may access the site and set-up between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM on Friday. Saturday setup starts at 7AM. All non-essential vehicles, trailers or other large objects must be removed from the site by Saturday at 9 AM

Only approved support and supply vehicles will be permitted to remain on the festival site. 

Any participant who fails to arrive during the check-in time will be considered a “no-show” and the space may be re-assigned.

SPACE ASSIGNMENT

Vendors choose their own site through our online portal. Spaces are 15x15. Electricity is available for a limited number of spaces. Be sure to choose a booth with electricity if you need it. You are responsible for ensuring your setup fits in your space or purchasing a second space as needed.

Participants cannot sublet, assign, or donate their space in whole or part without permission of festival management.

UNIT OPERATION AND SALES

Unit must be operational during official festival hours.

PARTICIPANT WILL BE PERMITTED TO SELL OR GIVE AWAY APPROVED ITEMS ONLY.

Food, beverage and amusement vendors will be required to accept cash or cards.

FEES

Each space is $250 for the weekend. 

UNIT OPERATION AND SALES

Participants will be provided with a space approximately (15’) front by (15’) in depth for each space rented. If your setup is larger than that, you are responsible for purchasing 2 spaces.

SIGNAGE

Participants are responsible for signage. Signage must be contained within assigned space. Signage must be finished and visible by 9:00 AM on Saturday and remain visible by the public during the entire event. Every item for sale must be clearly listed, including the pricing information, on the sign.

CLEAN UP

Each participant must clean up his/her designated area during the day with a final clean up at the end of the day. Trash and recycling receptacles will be on site.

SAFETY

All participants must comply with all fire and safety guidelines explained in the confirmation material.

FOOD SALES

The sale of food or beverage products is strictly limited to approved food vendors.

PRODUCT/SERVICE EXCLUSIVITY

No participant will be granted exclusivity of products, business or services unless specifically designated

RESTRICTED SALES/GIVE-AWAY ITEMS

The sale of the following items is strictly prohibited: any type of GLOW PRODUCTS, SILLY STRING OR SIMILAR PRODUCTS, OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.

ELECTRICAL SERVICE

Electrical service is available. Select a booth with electricity if you need it. 20A and 50A sockets are available.  If you need an adapter from 50A-> 30A you will need to bring it with you. 

SECURITY

Overnight security is provided on the festival site. However, festival management cannot be responsible for lost merchandise or material due to theft, weather or vandalism.

WATER

Vendor water service will be available at limited locations.

BEVERAGES

Alcoholic beverages will be sold exclusively by the festival. Food vendors may only sell beverages as approved through the application. Bottled water will be sold by the festival at various locations throughout the site. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

LIABILITY

Neither the Festival at the Friars' Gate Council, The Town of Irmo, Richland County nor any of their representatives, employees, agents, patrons, guests, or sponsors shall be liable for any loss of damage to the property of any participant due to fire, robbery, accident, or other cause that may arise from participant’s use or occupancy of participant’s assigned space during the festival

INSURANCE

All participants shall be responsible for liability insurance and must provide a CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE FROM THEIR INSURANCE CARRIER. Vendors will not be accepted if this certificate is not received.

REFUNDS

No participant refunds will be made due to inclement weather.

Space fees are fully refundable up until 90 days from the event date. From 60-89 days, a 50% refund will be given. From 30-59 days, a 25% refund will be given. No refunds with less than 29 days of the festival date. 

Music

If you play music, it must be medieval-themed.  You will be asked to turn off any music that does not go with the theme of the festival. 

REMOVAL

Festival officials reserve the right to close down and remove any participant that is not adhering to festival policies and procedures, deemed obnoxious or performing activities not in keeping with festival tradition. This includes selling or giving away items that have not been approved by the Festival at the Friars' Gate commission to sell or give away.

Applications will not be processed without all of the required information. The Festival at the Friars' Gate Council retains the right to deny participation of any vendor whose sales items do not comply with festival criteria, philosophy, or the laws of South Carolina, Richland County, or Town of Irmo Ordinances.