alling All Culinary Artisans to the Festival at the Friars’ Gate
Good morrow, noble chefs, seasoned cooks, and peddlers of fine fare!
The Festival at the Friars’ Gate throws open its gates and with it comes a call across the land for victuals both hearty and whimsical.
Let your cauldrons bubble, your ovens warm, and your menus tempt the appetite of legend. 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 by raven, scroll, or—more conveniently—our online portal.
Come, take your place among the foodmongers of the realm!
** We have the following categories covered and are not accepting addtional food vendors for: BBQ, hot dogs, cotton candy, ice cream, shaved ice, mini donuts, Lemonade. **
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 DHEC, 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. Acceptance is indicated by selecting an available space and paying the fee. Vendors who have not completed their signup and fee payment by March 31 will be removed from the event and vendors from the waitlist will be invited
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.
PAYMENT
Payment is due upon receipt of notification that applicant is accepted to the Festival at the Friars' Gate event. Invoices will be sent out starting in January. If not paid before the deadline in the notification, the applicant will forfeit the application and the application status will change to rejected.
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. 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
Participants are assigned a space with a corresponding ID number. 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 $200 for the weekend/
UNIT OPERATION AND SALES
Participants will be provided with a space approximately (12’) front by (12’) in depth for each space rented.
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 limited and is therefore not guaranteed and must be requested at time of application. If service is provided by the Festival, it will be indicated on your confirmation.
SECURITY
Overnight security is provided on the festival site. However, festival management cannot be responsible for lost merchandise or material due to theft 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 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.
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.
The Festival at the Friars' Gate Council retains the right to deny participation of any vendor based on the experience from a vendor during a previous Festival at the Friars' Gate or other Moore Park event.