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Food Vendors

Applications for the 2024 Calgary Folk Music Festival are now open!

Food Vendors - Application & Guidelines

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Introduction

For 45 years, the Calgary Folk Music Festival has called Calgary home. The festival hosts over 40,000 hungry patrons, volunteers, and others during the four-day festival. We strive to offer Festival goers over 25 unique food vendors from Calgary and area who are able to offer delicious, healthy and sustainable food choices, providing for a diverse festival dining experience!

The deadline to apply for the 2024 Festival is Sunday, March 31st, 2024.

Standards and Selection

Every year, we receive more applications than we can place. Vendors are selected based on the following criteria:

  • Healthy and adaptable to dietary restrictions (vegan/gluten-free/halal etc.)
  • Variety and quality of food (overall menu balance)
  • Price point and affordability
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Electrical and operational requirements (generators are not permitted, space is limited)
  • Alignment and commitment with the festival eco program

The Festival provides space for you to operate electrical and water/grey water hookups. Vendors must provide flooring, a sump pump, hand wash sinks, fresh/grey water hose, extension cords, lighting, tenting (if required) and all other equipment.

Vendors must comply with all health and building code regulations and provide proof of insurance.

Due to the support and sponsorship of some of our vendors, we have arranged for exclusivity for certain food and drink items at the Festival. We ask that all vendors refrain from offering any food or beverage item that fits or is similar to the following criteria: coffee (including cold coffee drinks), frozen desserts, and pizza.

Fees And Services

Calgary Folk Music Festival is located on Prince’s Island Park; space and electricity are limited. Priority is given to vendors with a small footprint and low power consumption.

The fees for 2024 will scale depending on size and power draw. For example, a standard 20ft food vendor space with 30 amps of electricity would be estimated at $4,095.00+GST*.

Environmental Program (eco):

The festival is a no-waste event and requires vendors to participate in composting, recycling and other green programs. Vendors are required to offer only certified compostable serving wear to patrons. This includes all cupware, lids, pateware, cutlery, napkins, condiment cups and packaging. The festival must approve serving wear before use. Single-use plastic is not permitted. We strongly encourage vendors to purchase food stock/ supplies responsibly to avoid food waste.

Electrical

With the festival taking place on Prince’s Island Park, access to electricity is very limited, and the use of generators is not permitted. Please ensure your application includes your full electrical requirements, as this is how we can properly assess your electrical needs. Should the contracted electrical needs increase from your application, this may affect your acceptance in the 2024 festival.

All equipment must be in good working condition and meet all applicable codes.

Important Dates
  • March 31 Deadline: Food Vendor Application submission (application via online form only)
  • April 15 Successful applicants will be notified of acceptance
  • May 5 Deadline: Signed contract, deposit payment, and proof of insurance
  • If these items are not received by May 14th, the vendor's application will be withdrawn, and their space will be reallocated
  • to a waitlisted vendor.
  • July 23 - 25 Vendor load-in begins. The date and time are to be confirmed by CFMF
  • July 25 - 27 Calgary Folk Music Festival dates
  • July 28 Vendor load-out begins. The date and time are to be confirmed by CFMF

Note: all dates are subject to change; vendors will be notified of all festival changes

*Prices are subject to change; a full price breakdown is provided at contracting

CFMF is committed to ensuring the participation of members of traditionally disadvantaged designated groups: Black, Indigenous, and people of colour, persons with physical or mental disabilities and members of the 2SLGBTQIAP+ community. We encourage all to apply!

Please email vendors@calgaryfolkfest.com with any questions.

All applications must be received via the online application form. Vendors should not solicit CFMF staff or volunteers regarding application or acceptance.

Acceptance and participation does not guarantee a space for future festivals.

Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to receiving your application!

CFMF food vendor
CFMF patrons
CFMF Volunteer
CFMF food vendor
CFMF food vendor
CFMF food vendor
CFMF food vendor
CFMF patrons
CFMF Volunteer
CFMF food vendor

Arts Market

Applications for the 2024 Calgary Folk Music Festival are now open!

Arts Market Vendors - Application & Guidelines

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Introduction 

Calgary Folk Music Festival's Arts Market is a unique hub of creativity, craftsmanship and community, and we are inviting artisans to apply to be a part of the experience! 

Over 12,000 people visit the festival site daily, creating a buzzing marketplace environment and making it one of the city's most heavily trafficked artisan markets, with over 25 unique artisan vendors from Calgary and surrounding areas. 

The deadline to apply for the 2024 Festival is Tuesday, March 19th, 2024.  

Standards and Selection

Every year, we receive more applications than we can place. Vendors are chosen based on the following criteria: 

  • Handcrafted, local or Canadian-sourced products 
  • Diverse and inclusive vendors 
  • Quality of work 
  • Aesthetic appeal 
  • Price range 
  • The overall variety of submissions 
  • Genre of art or service
  • Alignment with the festival eco program

All applications will be a part of adjudication. Please include multiple images of items that best represent your offerings and where your items and/or materials are sourced in the application form. Acceptance and participation in 2024 and past festivals does not guarantee a space for future festivals. Applications are individually reviewed each year.    

CFMF strives to be a zero-waste festival and requires vendors to participate in composting, recycling and other green programs. Please consider this when applying, as materials like single-use plastic are prohibited.  

Fees And Services

The fee to participate in the 2024 Arts Market is $850 + GST. 

The fee includes the following:

  • Three (3) 4-day single-user wristbands (additional tickets/ wristbands must be purchased via Box Office at a discounted rate) 
  • Inclusion in specific promotional materials
  • Overnight storage on Thursday, Friday and Saturday
  • One (1) festival program
  • 10' x 10' booth space (overhead coverage, table, chairs, extension cords, weatherproofing supplies and display pieces are the vendor's responsibility)
  • On-site festival liaison
  • A weekend full of networking, fantastic music and friend-making.

Should you require power for your space, a single line of 110-volt electricity can be provided at an additional charge of $40.00 (for all four days). The request for power must be indicated in your application. Power can not be provided on short notice or day of. 

Important Dates 
  • March 19 Deadline: Application submission (application via online form only)
  • April 23 Successful applicants will be notified of acceptance 
  • May 7 Deadline: Signs contract and payment due
  • If these items are not received by May 7th, the vendor's application will be withdrawn, and their space will be reallocated to a waitlisted vendor.  
  • July 25 Arts Market load-in begins. The time is to be confirmed by CFMF 
  • July 25 - 28 Calgary Folk Music Festival dates 
  • July 28 & 29 Load-out begins. The date and time are to be confirmed by CFMF 

Note: all dates are subject to change; vendors will be notified of all festival changes 

Vendors are asked to contribute at least one item to the Festival's volunteer program.

CFMF is committed to ensuring the participation of members of traditionally disadvantaged designated groups: Black, Indigenous, and people of colour, persons with physical or mental disabilities and members of the 2SLGBTQIAP+ community. We encourage all to apply! 

Please email vendors@calgaryfolkfest.com with any questions. 

All applications must be received via the online application form. Vendors should not solicit CFMF staff or volunteers regarding acceptance in the Arts Market. Acceptance and participation does not guarantee a space for future festivals.

Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to receiving your application!

Calgary Folk Music Festival, Arts Market
Calgary Folk Music Festival, Arts Market
Calgary Folk Music Festival, Arts Market
Calgary Folk Music Festival, Arts Market
Calgary Folk Music Festival, Arts Market

© 2024 Calgary Folk Festival