Food Vendor Application for the 2027 Cottontown Art Crawl

The 8th Annual Cottontown Art Crawl will take place on Saturday, March 6, 2027 from 10am-4pm. The rain date will be Sunday, March 7, from 12pm-5pm.*
*Please make sure you are available for both dates.

Applications must be completed (including vendor fee of $50) by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2. Food vendors will be notified of their acceptance into the event by November 13, 2026 and will be notified of their assigned locations by January 31, 2027. Vendors who are not chosen will have their fee refunded. Our primary method of communicating with you will be email, so please double check to make sure you provide an accurate email address when completing this form. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

All food vendors must prepare and serve food in accordance with Department of Agriculture regulations. The fire marshal will be on-hand prior to the start of the festival to inspect your set up. Contact ginthrift1@gmail.com with questions.

Thank you for your interest in participating in the 2027 Cottontown Art Crawl!

General Rules and Regulations:

  • No glass of any kind may be served to patrons.

  • There will be no refunds in the event of inclement weather or vendor initiated cancellation after December 1, 2026.

  • Submission of documentation does not guarantee selection for the 2027 Cottontown Art Crawl festival. If not selected to vend, your vendor fee will be returned to you.

  • Food trucks as well as tents will be accepted. If using a tent, your square footage cannot be larger than 10’x20.’

Set-Up, Electricity and Location:

  • Cottontown Art Crawl runs from 10am-4pm. Vendors will be allowed to set up starting at 7:30 a.m. and must be operational and ready to go starting at 9:45 a.m. when the festival begins. Vendors will not be permitted to set up prior to 7 a.m.

  • Vendors will not be permitted to leave until 4 p.m. or when the City of Columbia Police Department gives the all-clear, and you must be packed up by 5 p.m. post-festival. Vendors are not permitted to leave early due to pedestrian safety.

  • The event organizer has determined the location of your vendor spot based on event needs and is non-negotiable. You will not be permitted to set up in a different location than the one assigned to you by the Food Truck Coordinator.

  • Vendors must bring any items they require such as tent, table, chairs, etc. as none will be provided.

  • No power is available. If power is required, you must supply your own generator that will be inspected by the fire marshal.

Fire Marshal/SC Dept of Agriculture Requirements:

  • All vendor tents must be properly anchored with NO LESS THAN 50lbs on each tent leg – NO EXCEPTIONS per CFD Fire Marshal.

  • Banner displays that exceed 3-5 feet above the top of the tent shall be properly anchored as well (no tape).

  • All food vendors must meet Dept of Agriculture and fire marshal codes, including fire extinguishers AND hand washing/sanitation stations.

  • Any vendor or concession that utilizes cooking or heating devices shall have a minimum of:

    • One 2A10BC portable fire extinguisher AND One Class K type portable fire extinguisher if deep frying operation is in use. The extinguishers must be “in date” with a current inspection tag, (not in need of servicing), visible, accessible and mounted (not sitting on the ground).

    • Propane or solid fuel (such as charcoal or wood) are the ONLY approved forms of cooking.

    • All spent grease must be disposed of through an approved method.

  • The fire marshal will be checking each vendor location for adherence to proper rules and regulations explained herein.

Inclement Weather/Rain Date:
In the case of inclement weather, there will be ONE rain date of Sunday, March 7th, 2027 from 12pm-5pm. No refunds will be given. You must be willing and able to commit to the rain date as well.

Concealed Weapons Protocol (Per the City of Columbia):
Firearms shall be prohibited at Cottontown Art Crawl from 7am-6pm, regardless of whether such firearm is carried openly or concealed, and regardless of whether the individual carrying such firearm is a valid concealed weapons permit holder.

Event Footprint:
Food vendors will be placed in groups of five in designated food areas throughout the festival. Vendors may not move from their assigned location. There will be dining areas with limited seating at each grouping.

Application Fee:
There is a $50 application fee to participate, and you will need a current City of Columbia business license. Your application will not be considered complete without payment of the fee by November 2, 2027. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Your application fee will be refunded IF you are not excepted for this year’s event.

Certificate of Insurance:
Proof of insurance listing the “Cottontown/Bellevue Historic District Neighborhood Association” as named insured is required to vend at this event. Your application will not be considered complete without submitting proof of insurance. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Use of Logos:
The logos of the Cottontown/Bellevue Historic District and the Cottontown Art Crawl are copyrighted and are the sole property of the Cottontown/Bellevue Historic District Neighborhood Association. All rights reserved. These logos may not be used without express permission of the Cottontown/Bellevue Historic District Neighborhood Association.