Fair Vendors

FAIR INFORMATION

DATES August 3-9, 2025

HOURS 10:00 A.M.-10:00 P.M. or later
CHECK IN 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Fri. Sat. or Sun. prior to the fair, or by PRIOR arrangement.
The fair opens on Sunday; if possible, please be open, too.
Commercial Bldg. Fitch/LaCross set up is Saturday from 2:00pm-6:00pm

SET UP

All locations will be pre-marked and are assigned according to seniority and products sold. Locations will be pre-marked no later than the Friday before the fair opens. A fair representative will show you to your location(s) and power/water source. NO WATER HOOK-UPS FOR CAMPERS. You must be set up by Monday and are encouraged to be open on Sunday, as the fair is open and has many events to kick off the week.

Vendor Payments

Indoor Commercial Vendor Deposit

$26.25

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Indoor Commercial Vendor Payment

$

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Outdoor Vendor Deposit

$77.75

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Outdoor Vendor Payment

$

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SPACE RENTAL FEE & OTHER INFORMATION

OUTSIDE

Non-Food space $20 per front foot (5 ft increments - min 10 ft)
Non-Food Trash Fee $20
Food Space $25 per front foot (5 ft increments - min 10 ft)
Food Trash Fee $30

INSIDE

Fitch/LaCross Bldg - $150 (booths are 10′ x 10′)
Tables $10 - includes one table and two chairs

GENERAL

Insurance Rider - $150
Camping - $175 (includes 1-20 amp plug)- NO WATER TO CAMPERS.
Cars are not permitted in concession area, you will be informed of parking area.
Stock Trucks $25 - MAY OR MAY NOT BE NEAR SPACE
Power: $75 - 20amp, 110 volt plug; $130 - 30amp (very limited number); $250 - 50amp, 220 volt plug

We reserve the right to read the amps you are drawing, and adjust the fee accordingly. We fully comply with all state, local fire and electrical codes. You are required to comply with all codes. A fire inspector will be on the grounds several times at set-up and during the week.

Listed below are SOME, BUT NOT ALL, OF THE REQUIREMENTS.

THE ENTIRE BLAIR TOWNSHIP REGULATIONS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

All concession trailers and campers must be separated by 10 ft. min. distance. 5 ft front set back from pedestrian walking area.
Certificates of flame resistance will be required for all tents, canopies and air-supported structures.
A fire extinguisher with a min. rating of 2A: 10BC is required in all food concession trailers and on all amusement rides. A basic fire extinguisher is encouraged on all non-food concessions.
A K-CLASS fire extinguisher shall be installed in all concessions trailers that are cooking and producing grease laden vapors.
Fire extinguishers shall be secured, unobstructed, and marked with approved signs.
All fire extinguishers shall have a valid inspection tag within the last year by a qualified inspector.
All fire suppression systems for cooking hoods shall have a valid inspection tag within the last 6 months by a qualified inspector.
The use of turkey fryers and other open kettle fryers are prohibited in concession area, unless equipment is UL listed and pre-approved by the fire inspector.
All compressed gas cylinders shall be secured at all times with a chain or other approved method, away from egress door.
All LP gas cylinders shall be checked for leaks and be corrected before use.
Trip hazards shall be prevented by the use of rubber mats.
All power and extension cords shall be protected from damage and not buried underground.
All power and extension cords shall be grounded and listed.
Damaged or modified power and extension cords are not permitted.
Cube taps and power strips shall not be permitted unless equipped with circuit breaker protection.
All other electrical devices must comply with the International Code and the Grand Traverse County Electrical Inspector.
All combustible waste or clutter is not permitted in the concession area, or behind concessions.
All trash must be transported to the closest dumpster, or you will be assessed a trash removal charge, in addition to your standard trash charge.

***The fair will arrange to have a qualified individual on the grounds Monday morning for fire extinguisher certifications, at a nominal charge, payable by the vendor.

DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS - CONCESSIONS

Deposit of $75 and a signed contract must be in the fair’s office by May 1st, 2025, Deposit is non-refundable. Remainder of balance is due by June 30th, 2025. Proof of Liability Insurance for one million dollars and listing Northwestern Michigan Fair as the insured must be in the fair office before concession is allowed to open. Location will be determined by the contracts and payment returned by due dates. Deposits left at the close of last years fair will hold your location and count as your May 1st, 2025 deposit. Northwestern Michigan Fair Board reserves the right to deny access to any vendor not meeting the values and expectations of the Northwestern Michigan Fair, and to limit or prohibit items vendored.

DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS- Commercial/Fitch LaCross Bldg

To secure your booth space, we will need to receive a deposit of $25 by May 1st, 2025. This is a non-refundable deposit to hold a space. You will then be mailed a contract with the balance owing. We will need to receive the balance payment on the contract by June 30th, 2025 with a copy of your insurance rider included. If you do not have the insurance rider, you can purchase it from the fair for an additional $110. Tables are available for rent again this year for $10 each and include 2 chairs.

PASSES AND UPS

Each vendor will automatically be issued 4 people passes. Additional passes can be purchased in advance for $7.00 per people pass. Additional people passes requested the week of the fair will be $15 each. Please plan accordingly and request your passes before the start of the fair.

UPS will be at the fair office at approximately 3:00 pm each day. Please be present at the fair office at that time to pay for your COD’s and pick up the items you have being delivered. They will not come looking for you and a fair representative is not available to deliver your items or notify you that UPS is there.

CONCESSION SPACE CONTEST

Each year Northwestern Michigan Fair has a contest for vendors to encourage attractive looking booths. All vendors will be placed in the judging and a list of rules will be provided in your packet. A few of the considerations for the judges are: appearance of the booth, clean, quality of product or information, friendliness and appearance of staff.

VENDORS MEETING

A concessionaire’s meeting will be held on Friday, August 8th, 2025 at 8:00AM EDT at the Food Pavilion. Plaques will be awarded for the contest. Compliments, constructive criticisms, and suggestions are welcomed. A fair representative will accept deposits and contracts for the upcoming year. Please come prepared. Coffee and rolls will be served.

TAKE DOWN - Commercial-Fitch LaCross Bldg.

No booth shall be dismantled before 10:00 pm on Saturday, August 9th, 2025. You may tear down for 1 hour after the building closes. Sunday tear down time is 9:00am to NOON. Any other time to take down must be by special request from the fair director in charge of vendors and made prior to set-up.

ALL VENDORS

You will NOT be allowed to drive on the grounds after 9pm on Saturday, August 2nd, 2025.

FOOD VENDORS

There will be a grease barrel near the dumpster next to the pits for your grease.

SPACE RENTAL CONTEST RULES

Purpose: To encourage those renting space to keep their area as neat and attractive as possible.

Judging: Judging will take place throughout Fair week. There will be three categories
Commercial Building, food Vendor, commercial Exhibitor. Trophies and plaques will be awarded to the top three booths in each category. Spaces will be awarded up to 10 points for each of the following areas:

Judging Areas

Appearance: Stand in good repair, signs, decorations, flowers and shrubs in good condition.

Neatness and sanitation: Garbage properly taken care of, booth area clean at all times, employees properly dressed.

Customer Satisfaction: No complaints about stands from customers. Quality and taste of food, ease of customer to be served, and seating access for food vendors attended, ease of customer understanding what product is being sold for commercial booth.

Overall Booth presentation: Overall impression of your booth.

Plaques/Trophies: Judging will be done by non-association members and will be awarded at the Vendors Meeting scheduled at 8:00AM, on Friday, August 8th, 2025 in the Food Pavilion. Bring suggestions, criticism and ideas for next years fair. HAVE A GREAT YEAR!!!