Christmas Stroll 2023: Food Vendor Application

Food Vendors, Nonprofits, and Restaurants are invited to participate in the 43rd Annual Christmas Stroll as a "Food Vendor". Plans are already well underway for this annual event, which will take place on Saturday, December 2nd from 4:30-7:30 PM.

Ways to participate as a Food Vendor at the Christmas Stroll:

1. You can run your vendor booth as a Nonprofit organization, preparing your own food to raise funds for your organization.
2. You can run your vendor booth as a restaurant or mobile food vendor, preparing the food in your own kitchen and giving a portion of your event proceeds to a Nonprofit organization of your choice (10% recommended donation).
3. Or, consider partnering-up as a restaurant and a Nonprofit organization working together by having the Nonprofit purchase prepared food from your restaurant for their volunteers to sell at the Stroll with all net profits supporting that organization.

To participate in the Christmas Stroll as a Food Vendor, you must do the following:

1. Complete the Food Vendor Application and review the Food Vendor Regulations Below and Pay the $75 Vendor Fee no later than Monday, November 13th.

2. Have a current Food Vendor License or a Temporary Food Vendor License and have a completed copy on-hand at the event.

• For a Temporary Food Vendor License, apply online HERE. (For non-profits, this license is no charge as you are tax-exempt. For restaurants/mobile vendors who do not have a food vendor license, you can obtain a temporary license at the link above at no-charge if you partner-up with a tax-exempt nonprofit when you complete the Health Department’s application.)
• Note: Gallatin County Health Department will be stopping at every booth during the Stroll to make sure all vendors have a license.
• For questions contact the Gallatin County Health Department at 406-582-3120.

3. Review the information provided by the Gallatin County Health Department and the Downtown Bozeman Association to ensure you are following all food preparation and safety measures. This information will be emailed to all registered 2023 Stroll Food Vendor after the November 13th deadline.

PLEASE NOTE: The failure to follow these food safety measures could result in your booth being shut down during the event. These policies will be provided to all registered Christmas Stroll 2023 Food Vendors, and this is in lieu of the Annual Health Department Food Vendor Meeting.

2023 CHRISTMAS STROLL FOOD VENDOR REGULATIONS

The following regulations apply to all vendors (Restaurants, Nonprofits, and Mobile Food Vendors) participating in the 43rd Annual Christmas Stroll on December 2nd, 2023. Failure to comply will mean the vendor may not be able to participate in future events or in some cases, being shut down at the event.

1. Vendors must be a Nonprofit organization, a Restaurant, or a Mobile Food Vendor supporting a Nonprofit organization. There are no exceptions!
2. Cost for Vendors to participate in this event is $75. Please note that due to the nature of this event, no refunds will be given.
3. As a vendor, you are responsible to confirm a location for your booth on Main Street from Grand to Church by getting written/emailed permission from the store manager or owner. Please send a copy of this to info@downtownbozeman.org.
4. Vendors must sell food or beverages designed to be consumed at the Stroll, absolutely no crafts and no packaged or “gift food”. We also encourage vendors to offer substantial dinner-type fare! Cookies and hot cocoa are offered at no charge at many business locations during the stroll which makes it very difficult to turn a profit.
5. If you need electrical power, you must provide your own extension cord (that are covered by rugs or duct tape during the event for ADA complaince) and must have prior permission from the store manager or owner of the business where you will be located before your application is submitted! Generators are permitted; your location must be approved by the business you are in front of regardless of electrical requirements!
6. No vehicles will be allowed to remain on the street during event hours. Vendors may drive their cars to their booths only during set up and tear down. Main Street will close at 3 PM to begin set-up and will re-open to traffic at 8:30 PM! Your booth must be set up no later than 4:30 PM for the start of the event; please do not set up any tables or equipment on Main Street past the dotted white parking lane line until after the Santa Parade passes by at approximately 4:45 PM.
7. Vendors must provide their own trash receptacles and are responsible for leaving their area clean at the end of the event. Vendors who fail to do are subject to additional fees. Please do not move the blue trash bins as they are strategically placed along Main Street and are not intended for individual vendor use.
8. Your spot will be checked for cleanliness between 7:30 and 9:00 PM. If you sell out before the end of the Stroll you are welcome to leave, but we do not allow vehicle on Main street until the crowd subsides. All debris will need to be removed so, plan to bring a broom.
9. Anyone selling during the event without prior registration will be charged a fine and still must follow Health Department regulations. Note: There is no free food allowed at the Christmas Stroll!
10. All Vendors (obtaining a temporary food vendor license) must review the information provided by the Gallatin County Health Department and the Downtown Bozeman Association to ensure you are following all food preparation and safety measures. This information will be emailed to all registered 2023 Stroll Food Vendor after the November 13th deadline. PLEASE NOTE: The failure to follow these food safety measures could result in your booth being shut down during the event. These policies will be provided to all registered Christmas Stroll 2023 Food Vendors, and this is in lieu of the Annual Health Department Food Vendor Meeting!
11. Any vendors having an open flame must cover it with a metal screen and put the flame out completely and take the remaining ashes with you. Do not, under any circumstances, empty ashes on to the street. Vendors that have a fire pit will be required to have a portable fire extinguisher available for immediate deployment. Bozeman Fire Department recommends a 4A:80B:C extinguisher.
12. If you plan to utilize a temporary tent/canopy/booth to vend out of, per IFC 3106.5 through 3106.5.2, no open flame cooking appliances or frying equipment will be permitted underneath a tent/canopy/booth unless the temporary structure is NOT open to the public AND protected by an approved automatic fire extinguishing system in accordance with IFC 904.13. Please contact Travis Hansen with additional questions.

IF YOU NEED TO MAKE CHANGES TO YOUR APPLICATION, YOU MUST RE-SUBMIT A NEW FORM no later than November 13th. Please do no submit changes/updates through email.

Please complete the Food Vendor Agreement and review the Food Vendor Regulations, and Pay the $75 Vendor Fee no later than Monday, November 13th. Please note that due to the nature of this event, no refunds will be given.

We look forward to working with you at this year’s Christmas Stroll. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please email info@downtownbozeman.org.