APPLICATION/AGREEMENT
ABOUT THE EVENT
There’s Snow Place Like Tarpon Springs is an annual Christmas event that includes falling snow, a snow slide, a boat parade, visits with Santa, Christmas themed movies, food, vendors and street entertainers. Stores and restaurants within the event area will be open.
DATE AND TIME OF EVENT
December 4, 2026 and runs from 5-10 pm. The event will be held in Downtown Tarpon Springs on Tarpon Avenue from Ring Street to Spring Bayou.
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) 25 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. Christmas or holiday themed goods are highly encouraged. 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 fire arms, alcohol, obscene materials, stolen merchandise, Illegal paraphernalia or other items that are unlawful or not pre-approved by the event sponsor are forbidden.
Please keep in mind that this is a family event. Per the city of Tarpon Springs, only family-friendly retail and food vendors will be accepted. No service/promotion vendors will be accepted for this event.
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.
PAYMENT MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION BY USING THE ONLINE PAYMENT FORM. FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. The event is held rain or shine unless we deem it necessary to cancel due to severe weather. There will be no refunds or credits for failure to show up, bad weather or cancellation. YOU MUST INDICATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU ARE SELLING; 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 PRIOR TO THE EVENT, YOU MUST NOTIFY US AS TO WHAT YOU ARE SELLING.
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
CITY POWER WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THIS EVENT. This is due to the City decorating the light poles and will be using the power. Your options are to bring your own generator (must be one of the new, quiet models) or we highly encourage each vendor to be self-sufficient (battery, solar, etc). The Merchant’s Association does have generators that can be rented out on a first come/first serve basis for a $50 rental fee. If you absolutely need to rent one, please make sure you indicate this on the application form. We will do our very best to accommodate your request. If you use one of the Merchants Association’s generators, you must provide your own extension cord (20′-25′ or longer). IT IS VERY IMPERATIVE THAT YOU PROVIDE YOUR OWN POWER SOURCE!
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 AND BREAKDOWN
THE ROADS WILL BE CLOSED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 2:00 PM. VENDORS ARE NOT TO CHECK IN UNTIL 3:00 PM. THIS WILL GIVE THE POLICE TIME TO GET ALL THE VEHICLES OFF THE STREET AND ANY THAT HAVE TO BE TOWED AWAY. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU TO PARK ANYWHERE ON THE STREET OR ANY PARKING LOTS UNTIL YOU ARE ALLOWED TO CHECK IN.
You will be emailed your space number & setup instructions prior to the event. YOU CAN NOT SET UP OR UNLOAD ANYTHING UNTIL 3:00 PM. YOU MUST BE COMPLETELY SET UP BY 4:30 PM.
We ask that our vendors do not break down early, as it diminishes the overall appeal of the event. We understand emergencies arise, but whenever possible, please commit to staying through the duration of the event. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANY VEHICLES DRIVE IN OR OUT OF THE EVENT SPACE WHILE THE EVENT IS UNDERWAY, AS THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO ATTENDEES.
FOOD TRUCKS AND FOOD TRAILERS MUST ARRIVE EARLY.
UNLOAD EVERYTHING OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE AND PARK BEFORE SETTING UP. VENDORS MUST REMAIN OPEN THE ENTIRE DURATION OF THE EVENT. NO VENDOR MAY BEGIN BREAK-DOWN BEFORE 10:00 PM!
At 10:00 pm please completely break-down and pack up your belongings BEFORE bringing your vehicle inside the event. Vendors are responsible for the set-up and break-down of their canopies and displays. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REMOVING YOUR TRASH! DO NOT LEAVE ANY COOKED FOOD BEHIND. 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
Vendors may park in any designated public parking area or street parking on a first come, first served basis. You will be given a map indicating these parking areas. Under no circumstances are you to park in the Truist 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%.
RETURNED CHECKS
For any checks that are returned by our bank, you will be assessed a $25 fee in addition to the replacement of the returned check.