2013 Food Vendor Info

From June 13-16, 2013, 90,000+ people will gather for Bonnaroo®, a music and camping extravaganza that offers a rich and varied celebration of live music. With past headliners like Radiohead, Phish, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, The Police, Metallica, Pearl Jam, Tool, Dave Matthews Band, The Dead, Bob Dylan, and Widespread Panic, Bonnaroo features many of the top artists in the grassroots rock genre, along with hosts of acts in complementary styles such as jazz, bluegrass, and electronica. In its eleven years of existence, a staggering range of artists have performed at Bonnaroo, from veteran legends such as James Brown, Neil Young, and Emmylou Harris, to hip-hop groups like Jurassic 5 and the Roots, to eclectic singer-songwriters Ben Harper and Jack Johnson to indie darlings such as Modest Mouse and Mars Volta.

In addition to 12 music stages, Bonnaroo features a 100-acre entertainment village with round-the-clock attractions and activities including an arcade, cinema, comedy festival, yoga classes, a micro brew festival, and a music technology village, not to mention over a hundred vendors, cafes, and concessionaires providing high quality crafts and foods.

Since its inception in 2002, Bonnaroo has become a landmark event revered as “Festival of the Year” by Pollstar, Spin, and Rolling Stone. In 2002, Rolling Stone called Bonnaroo “the most ambitious festival of the year.” In 2003, the same publication named it “the American rock festival to end all festivals.”  In 2004, The New York Times noted, “Bonnaroo, in just its third year, has already revolutionized the modern rock festival.” In a special issue of Rolling Stone, Bonnaroo was named one of the 50 moments that changed the history of rock & roll. Each year a DVD has been created to commemorate what is noted as a historic event.

 

THE SITE

The site is a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee, 60 miles southeast of Nashville. While the majority of the land is used for camping and parking, approximately 100 acres is used for performance and central gathering areas. Gates to the camping area open on Thursday morning, and close Monday afternoon.

The Main Stage venue (capacity 90,000 people) and the Second Stage venue (capacity 30,000 people) are the two main performance areas, open from approximately noon until midnight each day Friday through Sunday.

Centeroo is a 24-hour gathering place, featuring three large music tents, a Comedy Theatre, The Brooers Festival which features microbrews from around the U.S., the Bonnaroo Market (craft and merchandise vendors), Planet Roo (the green village) an array of food and beverage vendors, several cafes with live entertainment, an arcade tent, cinema and several other special events. Most activities and vendors in Centeroo operate 24 hours, and there is live music in tent venues from approximately 12:00 noon until 8:00 pm and then from 12:00 midnight until 5:00 am.

 

FOOD VENDING INFORMATION

BOOTH SPACES

We are accepting applications for the following types of food vendors:

1. Booths: a 10 x 10 space will be provided. Multiple spaces may be available. Power and water will be additional charges depending on individual vendor needs.
2. Mobile unit spaces: self contained vehicles or tents that provide their own power and water systems.
3. Carts: may sell pre-packaged , non-perishable items or cooked items

There are vending spaces available inside the concert venues, in Centeroo and in the campgrounds. For Centeroo and the campgrounds, preference will be given to vendors that can provide breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night fare from Thursday morning until Monday morning. Since we are expecting a large crowd for the weekend, it is imperative that each vendor has the experience and ability to serve large numbers of people quickly for extremely long hours.

The rent for each 10 x 10 space will be a $2,000.00 guaranteed flat fee or a percentage of gross sales, whichever is higher. All guarantees must be paid before the event. Percentages will be determined with each vendor individually. Percentage of gross sales will range from 25 percent to 35 percent depending on complexity of menu items. We require a $1000 deposit per booth payable upon acceptance in order to secure your spot.  The balance of your guarantee, along with any fees due for power, water, trash deposit, tent rental and premium space fees must be paid in full in advance of arrival at the festival. All rent must be paid by the end of the event.

For some vendor rows the festival will provide artistic headers above the booths. These booths will be charged an additional fee for the premium space.

 

FOOD AND BEVERAGE ITEMS

In addition to traditional festival fare, we would like to have a diverse array of interesting food items available, all at reasonable prices. Please consider your pricing carefully and try to keep your prices to under $10 for any single item as well as including some lower priced items.  Many people will prefer vegetarian options, so we encourage you to be creative in your menu offerings. Vendors may apply to sell homemade (nothing from concentrate or power) beverages, but all pre-packaged beverages and bottled water must be purchased on site through our distribution system. Along with all foods choices, any specialty beverages sold must be pre-approved by the festival or it will not be allowed.

 

VENDOR CONTRIBUTION TO FESTIVAL GREENING

A festival as large as Bonnaroo® can produce a lot of trash. We are very committed to reducing the amount of trash that is sent to the landfill and have been developing an extensive recycling and composting program. All vendors will be required to purchase compostable/recyclable Bonnaroo paper products and cups. A complete list of what is available and the pricing will be sent with your confirmation letter if you are accepted.

As part of our commitment to the environment we encourage vendors to buy products locally and organically where possible. We will be sending out a list of local companies and farmers that may be able to meet your needs. Not only will you be supporting the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and reduction of fuel consumption, your food will look and taste great!

 

FESTIVAL DATES AND VENDING HOURS

All vendors must arrive on site on Monday or Tuesday the week of the festival depending on location. Venue vendors will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Because of the extensive schedule of music and activities, Centeroo and campground vendors could be expected to be open for 14 – 20 hours Thursday through early Monday morning. Many vendors choose to remain open 24 hours.  Hours of operation must be approved before the festival begins.

 

PAPERWORK 

Each vendor will be required to have a certificate of liability insurance, proof of Workers Compensation coverage, a Tennessee sales tax certificate, a Coffee County Transient Business License, a Coffee County Land Use Permit and a Health Department Permit. Those vendors accepted to the festival will receive an outline of the necessary paperwork with your acceptance letter. Participation in Bonnaroo 2012 does not guarantee a space in Bonnaroo 2013.

 

HOW TO APPLY                                                                                                                              

Please follow the link below to fill out an application online or download and complete the attached application form and return it via US Mail (along with photos of your booth) to the address below:

Fill out the Bonnaroo 2013 Food Vendor Application online here
Or, download a PDF version of the Bonnaroo 2013 Food Vendor application here and send (with photos) to:

Bonnaroo Music Festival
Attention: Jennifer Green
P.O. Box 441890
Somerville, MA 02144

Applications must be received by Friday March 1, 2013 to be included in the initial review and acceptance process.  Applications will continue to be accepted after March 1 until all spaces are filled.

Our primary method of sending out information is via e-mail. If you do not regularly check your e-mail or prefer us to send the information via US Mail please note that on the application form. Please address any questions you may have in writing and enclose with your application form. All proposals will be reviewed, and an email will be sent to you indicating whether or not you have been accepted