APPLICATION/AGREEMENT
You will be provided with a 10′ x 10′ space. If you need a bigger space, then please make sure you indicate this on the application. If there is a specific location you would like or would not like to be, please also mark this on the application. We will do our very best to accommodate your request. Materials cannot extend beyond the assigned space. Vendors may not conduct sales outside of their designated area (no walking around with your goods!!). Only one vendor is permitted per space, no sharing. Make sure your space will be lit sufficiently. We highly recommend LED lights.
Vendors need to provide their own tent, tables, chairs, displays, extension cords (if power is ordered), etc. The canopy must fit within the space provided by the event and be able to withstand the weather conditions. The vendor is responsible for any damage caused and space must always be staffed. We recommend bringing four (4) 2.5 lb. weights for your tent in cases where it’s windy.
Tents must be labeled fire resistant. It is required that all vendors have an ABC fire extinguisher (per the City Fire Marshall and the State). It is mandatory that all food vendors have adequate fire extinguishing equipment (ABC & K) with current certification tags. New extinguishers do not come with the certification! Class K extinguishers are required for booths if fryers are used. This is also per the City Fire Marshall and the State.
SPACE ASSIGNMENTS
Space is limited, and all spaces will be assigned when the street layout is completed, usually the Monday before the event. You will receive an email with your space location and set-up instructions after the layout. The event sponsor can make no guarantee of location. Similar vendors may be accepted; however, every effort will be made to keep a reasonable distance between vendors selling similar items. Sales will be restricted to those items listed on your approved application. The sale of firearms, alcohol, obscene materials, stolen merchandise, illegal paraphernalia or other items that are unlawful or not pre-approved by the event sponsor, are forbidden.
PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU ARE SELLING PRE-PACKAGED FOOD (COOKIES, DESSERTS, JERKY, ETC.) YOU ARE CONSIDERED A RETAIL VENDOR. IF YOU ARE PREPARING ITEMS (DONUTS, ICED TEA, LEMONADE, POPCORN, HOT DOGS, ETC.) YOU ARE CONSIDERED A FOOD VENDOR. PLEASE MARK YOUR APPLICATION ACCORDINGLY.
Please note, we do not accept service-related vendors for this particular event.
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED WITH PAYMENT. NO MONIES WILL BE COLLECTED AT THE EVENT UNLESS SOME TYPE OF ARRANGEMENT HAS BEEN MADE PRIOR TO THE EVENT. FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
The event is held rain or shine unless we deem it necessary to cancel due to severe weather. If we cancel the event due to bad weather or for any other reason, the vendor fee that you paid will be rolled over to another month’s event. If you can’t do any of the remaining months, that vendor fee will be refunded to you. For any other month that you cancel or do not show up, there are no refunds granted or rollover of fees.
You can pay month to month or up to as many months as you would like. Please keep in mind if you pay in advance and can’t make a month, the fee does not roll over nor any refund will be issued. You do not need to complete a new application each month. Your application on file will be marked accordingly. When emails are sent to confirm attendance for each month, please make sure you respond by the date indicated in the email and vendor fee is remitted by the date required.
YOU MUST INDICATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU ARE SELLING OR WHAT YOUR SERVICES ARE THAT YOU WILL BE PROVIDING. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR ANY FOOD VENDOR OR FOOD TRUCK – WHATEVER YOU LIST AS YOUR MENU IS WHAT YOU ARE TO SELL. IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MENU FROM MONTH TO MONTH, YOU MUST NOTIFY US AS TO WHAT YOUR NEW MENU WILL BE. YOUR APPLICATION IS NOT COMPLETE IF BOTH PAGES ARE NOT COMPLETED AND VENDOR FEE SUBMITTED.
Food Vendors
The following items are now required of our food vendors:
Three compartment sink to wash, rinse and sanitize equipment and utensils. If you do not have a sink, you can use a big Igloo cooler to wash and rinse;
Adequate protection for displayed, prepared and stored foods;
Adequate protection from flying insects, vermin, dust, dirt and weather.
Adequate equipment and facilities to maintain food at the proper temperatures. This information is from the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation.
Any food vendor that is cooking at their space MUST lay down a tarp or plastic covering where you are cooking. Too much grease and/or food has been left on the street.
DO NOT POUR ANY TYPE OF LIQUID IN ANY OF THE STORM DRAINS. ALL OF YOUR GARBAGE IS TO BE TAKEN WITH YOU.
NOTHING IS TO BE LEFT BEHIND.
Power
We highly encourage every vendor to be self-sufficient! If you require power, please note this on the application. Spaces with available power are limited and will be assigned on a first come/first served basis.
PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN EXTENSION CORDS (at least 50′). IF YOU ARE A RETAIL VENDOR AND REQUIRE POWER, YOU WILL EITHER BE PLUGGED INTO A LIGHT POLE OR SHARE A GENERATOR WITH UP TO TWO (2) OTHER VENDORS THAT WE PROVIDE. FOOD VENDORS WILL EITHER NEED TO BRING THEIR OWN GENERATOR OR PAY THE FEE TO USE ONE OF OURS. YOU NEED TO PROVIDE YOUR OWN 3 WAY PLUG IN CASE YOU ARE HAVING TO USE A GENERATOR. THE AVAILABLE POWER SOURCES DO NOT EXCEED 30 AMPS. VENDORS UTILIZING DEEP FRYERS, COFFEE MAKERS OR OTHER EQUIPMENT WITH HIGHER VOLTAGE NEEDS MUST PROVIDE THEIR OWN POWER SOURCE. AGAIN, WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND LED LIGHTS.
If you use your own generator, it must be one of the new, quiet models. This includes all vendors, especially food trucks and food vendors.
Security
Vendors are fully responsible for their own personal property. The Tarpon Springs Merchants Association or any other sponsor of the event will NOT assume liability for any losses.
Vendors must comply with local laws and regulations. Anyone not conducting business in a professional manner or that is found to be in non-compliance may be removed or have their participation limited or discontinued during the event. Requests by state, county or city employees, event staff and volunteers must be adhered to.
SETUP & BREAKDOWN
VENDORS ARE NOT TO CHECK IN UNTIL 7:00 AM.
VENDORS ARE TO ENTER THE PARKING LOT FROM E. COURT STREET SO THAT TRAFFIC IS NOT BACKED UP ON TARPON AVENUE. UNLOAD EVERYTHING OUR OF YOUR VEHICLE AND PARK BEFORE SETTING UP. VENDORS MUST REMAIN OPEN THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THE EVENT. NO VENDOR MAY BREAK DOWN BEFORE 2:00 PM!!! At that time, you are to completely break down and pack up your belongings BEFORE bringing your vehicle inside the event. Vendors are responsible for setting up and breaking down their booths.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REMOVING YOUR TRASH. Due to the layout of the area, you may have limited access to your space. Please be prepared to bring your things in by cart if necessary.
Vendor Parking
Vendor parking will be located on any of the side streets or other parking lots. Under no circumstances are you to park in the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot or in the reserved tenant parking behind Mother Meres building. These are private parking lots, and your vehicle will be towed.
RAIN OR SHINE
The City of Tarpon Springs and the Tarpon Springs Merchants Association may change, adjust the hours or days of the event, or cancel the event due to forces of nature or occurrences beyond our reasonable control. Such changes will not be considered a breach of contract.
Sales Tax
Each vendor is responsible for collecting and paying applicable sales tax. Pinellas County tax rate is 7%.
Payment
The Tarpon Springs Merchants Association makes it easy for vendors to be part of our vibrant First Friday events with a simple, online vendor application. You’ll be able to select the dates you’d like to participate and showcase your business to our lively community and visitors. Once your application is reviewed and approved, a member of our team will send you a secure payment link for the next upcoming First Friday. You’ll also have the option to pay for additional future events at that time if you’d like — but that’s completely up to you. We look forward to welcoming you to First Friday!
Please complete the Application Below
Member Only Application Coming Soon!