Food Vendor Info
Your one stop shop for all food vendor questions.
what to Know before you apply
Who is Eligible?
Concessionaires, restaurants, catering companies, groups, and organizations interested in selling food and beverages.
Please note - in order to be approved you must meet our standards for quality, variety, and categorical continuity in addition to submitting all necessary applications and fees.
How Food Vendors are selected
We seek to offer our attendees a wide variety of food choices. We select vendors based on several factors including but not limited to:
- Uniqueness of menu items
- Affordability of menu items
- Professionalism of owner and staff
- Overall appearance of equipment
- Cleanliness and attention to detail
- Setup and operational requirements
- Past performance
NOTE: We understand the challenges associated with setting up multiple vendors in a confined space with a limited amount of time and resources. We will always do our best to make the process as easy and painless as possible. However, we ask for patience and to remain flexible during setup, operation, and tear down. The Salute to America coordinators, volunteers, and staff want your experience to be as enjoyable and productive as possible. It can be that if we all work together.
Electricity & Safety
All food vendors are welcome to use their own generator; however, it must be a "quiet-type" which does not exceed 62 decibels measured at full load. You MUST HAVE an appropriately rated FIRE EXTINGUISHER on hand at all times during operation. Fuel cans must be stored in a safe manner away from potential fire hazards and public access. We strongly suggest the use of rubber "hazardous material" type gloves when re-fueling. All cabling must be routed in a manner so as to avoid trip hazards for workers and the public. Use of cable "traps" or covers is strongly encouraged.
Limited supply of electrical hook-ups on High Street Only. They include:
- 20 amp / 120 volt GFI standard receptacle
- 30 amp / 240 volt four wire receptacle (NEMA 14-30 type plug)
- 50 amp / 240 volt four wire receptacle (NEMA 14-50 type plug)
"Direct wiring" (i.e., connecting bare wires) to power source is strictly prohibited. DO NOT MOVE THE POWER PANEL! Vendors are solely responsible for providing their own extension cords, feeder cables, and compatible connectors. There will be NO changes to power source receptacles. Salute to America does NOT provide an electrician for assistance.
Available Space
There are a limited quantity of vending spaces available.
Submission of applications does not constitute approval to vend or an allocation of vending space.
Vendors are responsible for providing all necessary equipment. Salute to America does not provide any equipment.
Vendor Space Sizes are:
- 10 x 20 - Water and Electricity Available
- 10 x 30 - Water and Electricity Available
- 10 x 40 - Water and Electricity Available
Vending Schedule & Rules
Vending Date & Time: July 4th, 2023 - 10:30 am to 10:00 pm
PLEASE NOTE: The 2023 festival will be only ONE DAY this year.
Load in: As of right now (1/27/23), load in is tentatively set for 6am, Tuesday, July 4th. UPDATE 3/10/23: Load in will be moved to the day before on Monday July 3rd at 6pm.
Load out: immediately following the fireworks at 10pm, Tuesday July 4th.
Vendors are required to stay open and serving through the times listed. YOU MUST STAY OPEN, even if you run out of certain food. You can still serve drinks or other foods. Clearly indicate on signage what you ran out of. CLOSING EARLY IS A NO GO. If under extraordinary circumstances you have to close, you must gain permission from the Event Coordinator. Failure to follow this rule will result in not being allowed back the next year.
A schedule will be sent out with setup times and a placement map. Tear down can begin at 10:00pm. ABSOLUTELY NO VEHICLES are allowed in the area until 11:00pm, unless approved by Event Coordinator.
This is for the safety of the festival crowd.
Applications Open Monday, January 30th @ 12pm CST
Want to Apply?
Salute to America's celebration brings families from all over the United States. The event averages 15k-20k attendees and has seen upwards of 30k at times.
To participate as a food vendor at Salute to America you must complete and submit three documents. You will not be allowed to participate unless all three documents are properly submitted.
The only exception to this rule is if the vendor has proof of Annual License and Permit.
Here are the 3 required documents
1. Salute food vendor Application (fees vary)
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2. City of Jefferson temp Business Application ($15 fee)
Apply NOw
3. City of Jefferson Temp Food Permit ($28 fee)
Apply Now
Regarding costs and payment: Each application has an associated fee. The two applications required by the City of Jefferson are set amounts. The Salute Food Vendor Application fee is listed on this form. You will not make a payment until after all three applications have been submitted, reviewed, and approved. If any of your applications are rejected you will receive an e-mail notification. If all three applications are approved, you will receive e-mail notification and an invoice with all three application fees listed. Payment of the invoice will cover all fees associated with all three applications.
REFUND POLICY
Salute to America will refund the booth fee should the event be cancelled due to City, County, or State mandated restrictions due to Covid, minus the City required $15 Temp Business License Fee and $28 Food Permit. Otherwise, Salute to America is a rain or shine event, no refunds.
DISCLOSURE
There are a limited quantity of vending spaces available. Submission of applications does not constitute approval to vend or an allocation of vending space. Salute to America reserves the right to deny application without cause. Returning vendors are NOT guaranteed vending spaces from previous years. Salute to America reserves the right to assign vending space based on what is best for the event, and safety of the patrons. Vendors are responsible for providing all necessary equipment and electrical cords reaching up to 100' to the distribution panel. Salute to America does not provide any equipment.