Centerfest 2025 Food Vendor Application

*Please scroll all the way down the page to create a Submittable account and complete the Food Vendor Application*
 

Deadline: July 14th, 2025

In its 50th year, CenterFest is the longest running outdoor juried arts festival in North Carolina. Located in Durham's lively Downtown district, the event is a favorite among visual artists, performing artists, and visitors. DAC's expanded marketing campaign, with support from the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Downtown Durham Inc., and fantastic media sponsors will continue to build regional response to this exciting event. Annual attendance at the festival averages 40,000 guests. CenterFest is Sunshine Artist's #1 Fine Arts Festival in North Carolina and is ranked #22 nationally.

CenterFest will be held in downtown Durham on:
Saturday, September 20 - 6 a.m. - 9 a.m. (Set-up), 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Festival Hours)
Sunday, September 21- 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. (Set-up), 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Festival Hours)

2-DAY FESTIVAL PARTICIPATION REQUIRED: All fees must be paid in advance in order to be considered for participation in CenterFest 2025

Application Fee- $30 (non-refundable)

CATEGORY A vendors, full-menu operations, TFE:  30’ x 14’ or smaller:   Space Fee $1250

CATEGORY B vendors, full-menu or more limited menu; TFE or Food Truck/Trailer:  22’ x 12’ or smaller:  Space Fee $575  (2-days) (most standard food trucks)

CATEGORY C vendors, sell a few items/limited menu and use tents or pushcarts that are 10’ x10’ or smaller:  Space Fee $400

CLEANING DEPOSIT: $60

ELECTRIC:  $100 PER HOOK UP/SPACE (Food Trucks are required to utilize onsite electricity. Generators are not allowed.)

Selections will be made based on:

Appearance– Provide a photograph of your setup with your application regardless of any prior affiliation with CenterFest. Applications without an accompanying photograph will NOT be considered.

Menu– Our goal is to offer the public the widest variety of food choices by avoiding duplication as much as possible among accepted vendors. We seek a balance of festival staples and unique food options.

Past Compliance– The compliance to previous rules and standards by former vendors at Durham Arts Council events is heavily considered when selecting vendors for this festival. However, past participation does not guarantee acceptance. All vendors are given consideration, and new vendors should not hesitate to apply.

In addition to the cost of the booth space, we also require a $60 refundable deposit for food vendors as well as a COI for each vendor. The deposit must be paid online. If vendor is not accepted to participate at the event, CenterFest will refund the deposit within 10 days of notification. Deposit payments must be paid online in the application link. This deposit ensures that vendors follow all rules and regulations regarding cleanliness and overall maintenance of downtown streets. Please send these items with your application by July 14th, 2025. Applications submitted without an operation image, deposit payment and COI will not be allowed to participate. Late applications will not be accepted except at discretion of show management.
 

Vendor Registration:
        As of 2014 North Carolina has a mandatory registration for all festival vendors. All vendors must supply DAC with their NC vendor registration and have a copy on hand at their booth. Registration is free. You can find more information at: http://www.dornc.com/electronic/registration/index.html 

 Quick & Tasty Details:

• You will receive notification by July 15, 2025, of acceptance or decline (followed by a refund of booth fee & setup deposit).
• Great placement of performance areas in relation to food vendor areas
• Timely technical support for electrical and water related issues
• Offer the widest variety of food choices by avoiding duplication among accepted vendors.
• Ice available to vendors for purchase on site.
• Attractive seating areas close to food vendors.

Regulations:
 

• All food vendors, restaurants, individuals, and non-profit groups may apply as food vendors.
• Food vendors may set up booths between 8 - 11 pm on Friday, 9/19 and Saturday, 9/20 between 6 - 8 am. By 9 am Saturday, all vehicles must be off-site.
• All menu items and prices are subject to review by the Food Vendor Committee. Changes in menu items will require prior approval from the committee and cannot be made the day of the festival. 
• As required by law, all vendors will be subject to inspection by the Durham County Health Dept. and will be issued a permit for their temporary food establishment. No food can be prepared for at your temporary food establishment before your booth has been inspected and issued a permit. The only exception is vendors with a current mobile food truck permit. 
• Water under pressure will be provided to your booth. You will need to provide a dish washing sink, a receptacle for the removal of waste water, and a minimum of 20 feet to the water system.
• Durham Arts Council has contracted with an outside vending firm to supply all lemonade, lemon-based drinks, and tea drinks. Food Vendors at CenterFest MAY NOT SELL bottled or canned beverages, water, tea, lemonade, lemon-based smoothies or any other lemon frozen products. Applications for vendors selling mainly coffees, lattes, etc. and little or no food will be considered. Applications for vendors selling alcohol will not be considered.
• ATMS will be available on festival site.
• Food may only be sold from the assigned vending booth spot.
• Vendors must abide by all applicable regulations, fire rules and sanitation laws.
• Vendors are encouraged to make their booth space attractive and inviting.
• Vendor may apply for more than one space; please utilize separate applications. If your booth/trailer size exceeds the booth space size, you must apply for the next sized booth or your application will not be processed. 
• Vendors must contain all equipment, supplies and storage within their space. Nothing may be hung on trees. Booths must be of sound construction, free-standing and must not obstruct others. No campers, RVs or trailers are allowed on site except during loading and unloading. 
• Food Trucks are required to utilize onsite electricity. Generators are not allowed.
• Fire extinguishers are required (at least one per booth). The Fire Marshall will inspect all booths.
• Ice will be available for sale / delivery at $5 per bag.
• Once accepted, you will be required to provide proof of current liability coverage of no less than $1,000,000.00; Durham Arts Council, and the City of Durham must be added as additional insureds for September 20-21, 2025.

 For questions regarding food vending regulations contact Durham Co Health Dept. at 919-560-7800.


Refunds:
       All fees are deposited upon receipt. If you are not selected to participate in CenterFest 2025, we will return booth fees in full. If you are selected but decide not to participate, you must notify the CenterFest office in writing no later than August 25, 2025. There will be no refunds past this date. The Security/Setup deposit will be refunded by mail following the Festival if your site is left in satisfactory condition as determined by the CenterFest Food Vendor Committee. Failure to properly clean or obstruction of festival site by vehicles will result in forfeiture of your $60.00 cleaning deposit. Proper disposal of waste is required. The area will be inspected by the city prior to, during, and after the event.

Security:
 

• Booths/Food Trucks MUST be set-up and tow vehicles removed from the festival site area by 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20 and by 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21. Items may be carried to booths after these times.
• Uniformed security, CenterFest staff and volunteers will be on site during festival hours. Limited security will be available on Saturday night. However, you are strongly encouraged to remove valuable property and lock down vending areas. Durham Arts Council assumes no responsibility for theft, loss, or damage to any signage, product, display equipment or property.

 
Rainout Procedure:
       CenterFest is a “rain or shine” event; no rain dates! Participants should be prepared to continue in the case of light rain. In the case of heavy rain, the CenterFest Committee will consider electrical hazards, logistical requirements, concessionaires’ needs, and the requirements of performing artists in making any decision about suspension or cancellation of any part or all of the Festival. No refunds will be made due to inclement weather or a participant’s decision to leave before the end.

We look forward to receiving your application and having your business join the wide range of food offerings at Durham Arts Council's CenterFest! For additional information, please contact the CenterFest office at 919-560-2719 or email: cscott@durhamarts.org