APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 9, 2025

All booth spaces are located outdoors. The fully completed and signed application form, along with a copy of current California sellers permit, and two (2) photos of booth and/or merchandise display will hold one 10ft x 10ft space until Application Deadline on May 9, 2025. After that date, we must have received all remaining paperwork and fees: application form, booth fees, a copy of current seller’s permit, certificate of insurance, copy of temporary food facility permit (if applicable), and the signed Release and Waiver of Liability and Indemnity Agreement. A late fee of $50.00 will be added for any applications received and approved after May 9, 2025. After that time, uncompleted registrations will forfeit prior booth assignments and be released into open space que.

Space fees include Festival Entry Passes for booth workers and two free Vendor Parking passes. Fee schedule is located on the application. NOT included in space fees: tent/canopy, tables or chairs, electrical service, any required state/county/city licensure and/or permit fees.

Eligible vendors include: Artists, Crafters, Non-Profit Organizations, Commercial, and Food Vendors. Unsure if you are eligible? See descriptions below, or email us at artscrafts.artifest@gmail.com.

Vendor Types & Fees

Commercial Vendors ($400 – 10’x10’ booth)

Vendors and commercial retailers who are selling or exhibiting products which are mass-produced, imported, mass-marketed or manufactured by or purchased from a wholesale or retail provider. Vendors selling prepackaged, bulk foods are included in this category.

Arts & Crafts Vendors ($275 – 10’x10’ booth)

Artists and crafters who personally make their own products or merchandise for sale. Vendors who sell imported, manufactured, mass-produced, or mass-marketed items are not eligible for this booth price.

Non-Profits ($75 – 10’x10’ booth)

Both non-profit vendors who are selling products or services, and those providing information only are included in this category. Please upload a copy of your proof of non-profit tax exempt status with the link provided in the form.

Food Vendors ($600 – 10’x10’ unit price)

The fees for Food Vendors, whether using tents, or trucks or trailer are based on space unit size of 10ft x 10ft, at $600 per unit of space. Rig size and footprint must be indicated on the form. Stand alone BBQs, grills, and fuels used for cooking must be disclosed on the form, per Monterey County Health Dept requirements. A limited number of Food vendor spaces offer additional storage space behind the booth; let your Food Vendor Coordinator know if you require this storage space.

Non-profit food vendors: please contact us at foodvendorartifest@gmail.com, or 888-808-7707, ext 2.

Permits & Licenses

Links to State and County permit forms are provided in the registration form and below. Please refer to documentation on the Vendor application form for requirements for your particular operation. Please email a copy of each completed license application or final license with vendor registration submission as proof. Copies only! Do not mail your original State or County license applications, fees or licenses to us; we will NOT be able to forward them on your behalf.

Here are some handy links to help with the required permits or licenses you’ll need in order to operate as a vendor at our event:

Register for a California Seller’s permit: https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/services/permits-licenses.htm

Food and Beverage sellers: get information about applying for a Monterey County Health Dept Temporary Food Facility permit at: https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-a-h/health/environmental-health/consumer-health-protection/food-application

Inclusion of these website links is for convenience only and does not in any way imply or guarantee that Monterey County, or State of California will issue licenses or permits applied for by Vendor.

Regarding Food Vendor County Health Dept. Permits:

ALL Food Truck or Food Concessions Vendors (prepared on-site, ready-to-eat or pre-packaged) must file an application for this event with MCHD. Regardless of whether the food vendor already has an annual TFF permit, the Artichoke Festival event must be reported to MCHD. Please provide us with a copy of your Monterey County Health Department’s Temporary Food Facility Permit application, with the site plan. Those vendors selling wholesale or bulk pre-packaged foods, such as baked goods, olive oils, jarred pickles, and jams, may apply as a Commercial or Arts & Crafts vendor, but are also required to apply for the Monterey County Health Department’s Temporary Food Facility (TFF) Permit application covering free samples. As proof of permit, include a copy of your completed Health Department TFF permit application with Festival Vendor registration. If mailing, send a COPY of the TFF application only! Keep your original TFF application and other licenses with you; we will NOT be able to forward them to the City of Monterey or County Health Dept.

IMPORTANT PUBLIC SAFETY AND DISEASE PREVENTION NOTICE: 

As a public event, the Artichoke Festival must comply with all CDPH and County Health Dept. safety guidelines at the time of the event is held. Head counts and space capacity will be closely monitored and state fire safety rules will be enforced. If you feel sick or are running a fever, please don’t come to the Festival. Face masks are not required, but recommended for those with compromised immunity.

Final welcome packets with vendor booth location, entry tickets, set-up details, and parking info are provided during Vendor set-up at the Festival grounds. Registration deadline is May 9, 2025. A $50 late registration fee will be applied to all Vendor applications received after this date. All Vendors must be approved by the Vendor Committee. Acceptance will be sent via email.

LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR ALL VENDORS (note change for 2025):

INSURANCE COVERAGE IS NOT PROVIDED — Vendors will be required to provide their own certificate of insurance (COI) as proof of self coverage. These COI’s will need to list Castroville Artichoke Festival, Inc. as additionally insured. Detailed instructions for obtaining the correct COIs for your vendor activities at the Festival follow:

Vendor’s current policy of General Liability Insurance must not be expired, we need to have a Certificate incorporating the dates of inception and expiration of the insurance. The specific event dates must be listed, along with all set-up and tear down dates. This certificate must have the following exact wording in order to be valid:

Certificate Holders:           

Castroville Artichoke Festival, Inc.
PO Box 1041
Castroville, CA 95012

Minimum coverage must be $1,000,000.00

We are proud to support the state of California Sustainability Policy

Food Waste Collection Program and Sustainability Policy: As of April 1, 2016 California legislation (AB1826) requires food waste be collected separately for “recycling.” The Artichoke Festival is participating in this mandatory waste reduction and recycling policy for all exhibitors, vendors, and concessionaires. Vendors are expected to comply with AB1826, and separate food waste from recycling and trash. Information about acceptable materials and food waste recycling will be provided to Vendors prior to the event.

FESTIVAL SET-UP and PARKING FOR VENDORS
(Please refer to the Vendor Rules and Regulations for a complete list of regulations per your vending area.)

Set-Up:

Upon arrival and prior to the construction of booth, vendors will be required to check-in with their Vendor Coordinator at the “Vendor Registration Booth” located at the northwest loading gate. Information will be issued at this time, which will include such necessary items as ENTRY PASSES, VENDOR LOCATION, MAPS, ETC. ABSOLUTELY NO LOCATIONS WILL BE GIVEN OUT PRIOR TO VENDOR CHECK IN! Logistics and deliveries on the grounds during set-up must be carefully orchestrated to avoid delays and traffic snarls. Food Vendors must set up their booths on Friday, June 13, 2025 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Commercial, Arts & Crafts, and Nonprofit Vendors will be allowed to set-up on Friday June 13, between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday, June 14, 2025 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. All vehicles must be off festival grounds by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025, and will not be allowed back on grounds until cleared of attendees on Sunday evening. Vendors are required to attend both days of the 65th Annual Artichoke Festival. See the Vendor Rules and Regulations document for further information about Set-up and Tear down.

Parking:

Free space for Vendor parking at the Castroville Artichoke Festival, Inc. is limited. Vendors are encouraged to arrive early on the days of the event in order to find free parking in the designated Vendor parking area. All other parking on the festival grounds during hours of operation will be for fee only. If Vendor must enter grounds with, and wishes to store a trailer or equipment hauler, please request a special entry/parking pass for this purpose from the Vendor Coordinator.

Camping:

Camping inside festival perimeter fence and vendor area is absolutely prohibited. No ice chests (except those used in Food Vendor prep), will be allowed onto the festival grounds after the festival opens each day. For Vendors with RVs or travel trailers, a limited number of dry-camp RV parking spaces are available on the Posse grounds, at the rate of $25.00 per night, Friday night through Saturday night, (no hookups, bathroom, or laundry facilities available). All RVs and trailers must vacate the grounds by end of day on Sunday, June 15, 2025. For further information about RV space, please contact your Vendor Coordinator.

IMPORTANT Fire Safety Statement regarding Tents/Canopies:

(also found in Vendor Rules and Regulations, para 15) …In accordance with State Fire Marshal laws, all tent fabric or pliable canopy covers, side/back drops and decorative material must be inherently fire resistive and individually labeled as such; if not labeled as fire retardant, they must be treated with a State Fire Marshal (SFM) approved fire retardant chemical, (empty can and dated sales receipt may serve as proof.) Exit openings for enclosed spaces must be a minimum of 3 feet wide and 6 feet-8 inches high. A Class 2A-10BC fire extinguisher must be provided in any tent having a floor area between 500 sq. ft. and 1000 sq. ft.

Vendors cooking food must be separated by 10 feet. Cooking vendors must have a minimum 2A-10BC rated portable fire extinguisher visibly accessible, securely mounted away from cooking area, with current SFM service tag attached (service date within one year). No use or storage of portable containers of liquid propane gas (LPG) is allowed in tents. All cylinders of liquid propane gas (LPG) must be secured to prevent tipping or falling over. Wood barbecue cooking is prohibited inside of booths. Wood barbecue cooking shall be performed only in areas away from public access. Distances from wood barbecues to permanent structures or festival booths shall be at least 15 ft, as required by the SFM. Fuel wood shall not be stored inside of booths. A drawing of the food vendor’s booth layout (site plan) must be submitted to the Vendor Coordinator for review.

FOOD VENDOR’S SITE PLAN:

A copy of the Vendor’s site plan from their Monterey County Health Dept TFF permit application should be included with your Festival application. If this is not available, a page for drawing the footprint of your service rig is available on the Vendor Application form. Submit the site plan along with your vendor application to your Food Vendor Coordinator at foodvendorartifest@gmail.com. Food Vendors should be prepared for any inspections by 1:00 PM the day before the start of the Festival.

ALL VENDORS should review these rules and regulations regarding Fire Safety at the Festival. All fire mitigation regulations are now commonly enforced at events throughout the state of California. We reserve the right to inspect vendor’s booths for safety compliance. The Fire Safety regulations in their entirety as well as other information regarding tents and cooking at events, including fire resistance certification labels, can be found at on the Office of the State Fire Marshal website HERE.

Coming Soon!