Application deadline of April 1st

Vendor Qualifications

• Local non-profit community organizations may sell food at the Moscow Renaissance Fair, and the application must be made by the sponsoring organization. Funds raised from food and beverage sales at the Fair must be used for community betterment.


• Every food booth should display a large sign identifying the sponsoring organization. Other signs listing menus and prices are recommended and organizations are invited to bring literature describing their missions, goals and activities, and how their booth sales proceeds will be used.


• If a commercial business supplies all or part of a non-profit organization’s food, the name of the non-profit being supported must appear on the booth, in the Fair program, or in any other publicity. All booths should display a poster (no larger than 12" x 18" with letters no larger than 1") thanking various individuals, organizations, or businesses as appropriate. The poster may not include logos or trademarks.



• New for 2024 – Commercial caterers and individuals welcome to apply

  This year, the Moscow Renaissance Fair is opening its gates to commercial caterers and individual food vendors. The fee for commercial vendors is adjusted to twice that of non-profits, aligning with the commercial scope of these operations.
  
  For more information, commercial caterers and individual vendors are encouraged to contact the Food Booth Coordinator at mrf_food@moscowrenfair.org.

Food Safety Guidelines

• Each vendor must conform to Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Food Safety and Sanitation Standards for Food Establishments (IDAPA 16). New vendors should apply well in advance of the Fair for a temporary food vendor’s license.


• Health Department applications may take up to 8 weeks to process.

Tax Exemptions for Non-profit Organization

• Non-profits should fill out an Idaho state tax exemption form


• Board members can also supply written tax forms at the Vendors’ meeting 3 weeks before the Fair.

Commitment to Environmentally Sustainable Practices

• Participation in the Moscow Renaissance Fair requires a commitment to recycling and other environmentally sound practices. We work to minimize waste, and we acquire the most environmentally benign food service wares we can find. We can order plates, bowls, sauce cups, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, stir sticks, napkins, straws, and wax-paper wraps, as noted in the application form. Each food booth is required to use only recyclable/compostable materials ordered and purchased ahead of time by the Fair Board’s recycling officer.


• Each organization must send a representative to the meeting for food booths held approximately three weeks before the Fair, at that meeting we discuss permissible products, order compostable service ware, and discuss recycling practices. We also assign booth placements and discuss ales taxes, basic health department guidelines, and other issues to support Fair vendors.


• If you would like a type of service item that is not listed on the vendor application, please email the coordinator (through our contact page via personal email to a food committee person.). Vendors who bring their own dishware to the Fair will be fined $100.00 or asked to leave and may not be considered for future fairs.

Recycling and Waste Management

• Each food vendor must participate in our recycling effort. Each booth should assist the Fair recycling crew by designating a recycling volunteer for 2 hours over the course of the Fair (sign-up will be at an organizational meeting a few weeks before the Fair).

Basic Fair Food Qualifications

• Our community takes great pride in the Moscow Renaissance Fair, which has its own special character and quality. Only foods and beverages which are well-prepared, tasty and interesting are allowed. Food offered by new vendors may require a sample to be juried by Fair board members.


• There will be a legally regulated beer garden at the Fair, with beer supplied by a local brewery. Outside alcohol is not allowed in the park.


• Garbage cans are not allowed within reach of the public; food booth garbage must be sorted into compostable and recyclable items. Vendors who dump their booth's waste as unsorted garbage will be fined $100 and will not be allowed to return the following year. Plastic wrap is not allowed to be given with food to Fair patrons.

Food Booth Fees

• Non-Profit vendor booth pricing is based on booth size as follows:
  
  
  • $135.00 for 10-foot public frontage
  
  
  • $270.00 for 20-foot frontage
  
  
  • $405.00 for 30-foot frontage
  
  

• Commercial vendor booth pricing is based on booth size as follows:
  
  
  • $170.00 for 10-foot public frontage
  
  
  • $540.00 for 20-foot frontage
  
  
  • $810.00 for 30-foot frontage
  
  


• For each booth there is an additional refundable cleanup deposit of $50.00.


• Food from may also be sold by wandering vendors carrying trays or pulling wagons. Wandering vendor fees are $75.00.


• Please write separate checks for:
  
  
  • 1. the booth fee
  • 2. the cleanup deposit
  
  
  Cleanup deposit checks will be destroyed after the fair concludes unless there has been an issue.

Weather, Structure, Schedule and Safety

• Moscow weather in May is wonderfully unpredictable. Food sales run from 7am - 6:30pm Saturday and 10am - 5pm on Sunday regardless of the weather. Be prepared for sun, wind, rain – or even snow!


• Food booth set-up time in the park begins Friday afternoon after 4:00 p.m. Your booth may be left in the park on Friday and Saturday nights. Sunday booths should close at 5pm when the music ends, and booths removed before dark.


• There will be designated loading zones on the street. No cars or trucks will be allowed on the grass at any time! Wheeled booths or trailers will require special permission from the Ren Fair Board. You may use hand trucks to bring supplies into the park.


• A food vendor’s sponsoring organization alone is completely responsible for their booth structure and its contents. Booth locations will be assigned at the food booth meeting before the Fair.


• Electricity is not available in the park. Generators may not be used.


• Booths using barbecues or other potentially smoky cooking processes will be provided spaces along the perimeter of the park. Portable stoves and barbecue fires must keep fires and smoke under control. Vendors using deep fryers or hot oil are responsible for their own safety.


• Fire extinguishers will be supplied by Food Booth Coordinators. A fire marshal will tour booths at the opening of the Fair.


• Please bring your own supply of change for food purchases.


• Costumes are encouraged! In keeping with the spirit of the Fair, vendors are encouraged to dress in costumes and to decorate their booths. Anything spring-like and whimsical, wacky, or colorful is appropriate.


• No dogs please. Please leave all pets at home.

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Vendors must abide by these guidelines and cooperate fully with Fair officials

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