KNOXVILLE OPERA
ROSSINI FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL STREET FAIR
Saturday, April 12, 2025, 10:00am to 9:00pm
Sunday, April 13, 2025, 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
FOOD VENDOR (FV) RULES, APPLICATION, AND AGREEMENT
INSTRUCTIONS: Complete this application form online. All vendors will need to pass a screening process before being selected. Invitations will be sent along with an invoice. Payment may be made online using a credit card or by mail using a check payable to Knoxville Opera. Your spot is not secured until you have been invited and paid your invoice.
INTERNATIONAL MENU: Include a short description of your business and menu items on the application. We encourage all Vendors to specialize primarily in international food offerings.
FEE: The Food Vendor (FV) Registration EARLY ACCESS fee is $750 for a 10’ x 10’ exhibit space and $950 for a mobile unit space if the application is received by February 7, 2025.
If your application is completed after February 7, 2025, the FV Registration fee is $950 for a 10’ x 10’ exhibit space and $1150 for a mobile unit space.
Notifications and setup instructions will be emailed by March 21, 2025. See paragraph 8 for space assignment information. Not all FVs who apply are guaranteed acceptance. Vendors who do not duplicate a food type already represented and vendors who offer international cuisine will be given priority.
SALABLE ITEMS: FVs may sell only food and non-alcoholic beverages.
PAYMENT & SALES TAX: FVs are responsible for processing all payments at their booths and paying sales tax on all products. You may sell for cash, credit card, or other payment of your choice. There will not be a food ticket program in 2025. KO does not pay sales tax on behalf of FVs nor does it provide a change service.
VENDOR SPACE--TENTS: FV’s entire display and setup must fit within the designated 10’ x 10’ booth space(s). Tents, tables, chairs, displays, table coverings, signage, and all other equipment deemed necessary by the FV are the responsibility of the FV. Tents, weights, tables, and chairs are available for rent from KO. Rental fees, outlined near the end of this document, must accompany application. The City of Knoxville requires that tents be secured with approximately 40 lbs. of weight on each leg.
All vendors are required to comply with all requirements of the City of Knoxville Special Events Department in effect at the time of the event. Call 865-215-4248 or visit this link for more information.
MOBILE FOOD UNITS: The City of Knoxville requires that all food trucks/trailers and mobile food units be approved as a vendor by the City of Knoxville. “Mobile Food Vending Unit” (MFU) is defined as an enclosed unit, truck, or trailer, or similar vehicle-mounted unit that is: 1) mobile or capable of being moved by a licensed motor vehicle; 2) independent with respect to water and wastewater; 3) used for the preparation and sale of food products and beverages; and 4) no longer than thirty-five feet.
For more information about the City of Knoxville Mobile Food Unit Department, contact the Business License/Tax Office at FoodTruckPermit@KnoxvilleTN.Gov or (865) 215-2083 or visit https://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/Finance/business_license_tax_office/mobile_food_units#:~:text=Under%20the%20new%20ordinance%2C%20MFUs,comply%20with%20all%20MFU%20requirements.
SPACE ASSIGNMENTS: FVs will be considered for their assigned spaces first come, first served based on the order of completed applications and payments received. Applicants are asked for their preference and will be taken into consideration when making assignments. MFUs will be located on Market Street between Union, Church Ave., and Clinch Ave. (See map for details.) We will do our best to accommodate your request for space, but we cannot guarantee placement.
WAITING LIST: If and when the maximum number of FV spaces is filled by accepted applicants, a waiting list will be created for FVs who pay in full. Any cancellations will be filled by the next available FV application.
CANCELLATIONS: Cancellations must be submitted in writing to Knoxville Opera Rossini Festival, 612 E. Depot Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917. Cancellations received on or before March 3, 2025 will receive a refund of booth and rental fees minus a $100 administrative fee. Cancellations received after March 3, 2025 will not be refunded.
SIGNAGE: Food Vendors must provide and display signage in their booth stating their business name, menu items, and pricing of all items.
HOURS OF OPERATION: Food Vendors must be open for business Saturday from 10:00 am - 9:00 pm and Sunday from 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm.
SET UP: FVs will be allowed to unload at their designated space on Saturday morning of the festival during their assigned arrival time and will receive a setup map and traffic pattern prior to the fair. No set up is allowed the day before or any earlier than 5:30 am. All vehicles must be removed to assigned parking areas NO LATER than 8:30am. As a service to you, a few volunteers will be available to assist with unpacking and moving into your space. Some of these volunteers may be minors, are largely untrained, and not responsible for any damage to your vehicle, equipment, or materials. Please use them at your own risk. On Sunday the site will re-open to FV at 9am.
BREAK DOWN: For breakdown at 6:00 pm Sunday, please be prepared to hand truck all your property to your car. No vehicles will be allowed on the streets until after all patrons have left and the Knoxville Police open the streets. Early breakdowns are not permitted unless authorized by Knoxville Opera at the festival. A load out schedule will be provided prior to the festival.
ELECTRICITY: Power is available to FVs free of charge. Electric service will provide 10 amps at 110 volts single-phase (normal household electric service) AND 220 volts. Please indicate your required voltage on the application. No generators will be permitted. Food Vendors must provide their own commercial outdoor-rated extension cords (up to 100 feet), plug-in strips, and must secure all cords with duct tape, or use anti- trip hazard cord.
WATER: Water access is NOT available. If needed, FVs must bring their own water.
GREASE: If you are cooking with grease, absorbent matting (pig matting) must cover the entire cooking area, extending beyond the tent, and cover the street or sidewalk up to the next vendor to keep grease off the street and sidewalks. Grease, chlorinated water, and other liquids must be removed from the site and disposed of properly. Food Vendors will be responsible for the expense of cleanup if any grease is left behind at the event site. Also see fire extinguisher requirements in section 19.
COMPLIANCE: FVs agree to acquire and have available at vending booth(s) copies of all permits, licenses, insurance documents, and safety equipment that are required by KO and all federal, state, county, and city government agencies. Food Vendors agree to acquire, prepare, store, and handle all food products in compliance with federal, state, and local health and safety regulations and guidelines governing outdoor, mobile, and temporary food establishments and services. FVs also agree to have employees working at their booths who are fully trained and in compliance with all federal, state, and local health and safety regulations, all guidelines relative to food service, and all rules and stipulations in this agreement.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER: FVs must provide a working fire extinguisher at each area where anyone is cooking with gas or electricity. If cooking with grease, a working certified K Class fire extinguisher is required. Failure to follow this requirement will result in the closing of your booth(s) without any refund of your fees.
WASTE: Each FV is responsible for removing their own trash from their exhibit space on a continuing basis throughout the day including at final breakdown on Sunday. No trash is to be left at vendor’s site. It is against City of Knoxville regulations to pour or dispose of anything in the storm drains. FVs will be responsible for the expense of cleanup if any trash or waste that is left behind at the event site.
COVID-19: FV agrees to comply with all National/State/County/City requirements regarding the COVID-19 pandemic which are in place on April 12-13, 2025. Failure to adhere to the requirements as determined by Knoxville Opera (KO) at its sole discretion will result in the immediate closure of Vendor’s operation and there will be no refunds of registration and rental fees.
INDEMNIFICATION: Vendor releases and agrees to hold KO, its employees, and its volunteers harmless and not seek any compensation for damages, injuries, or complaints related to the Rossini Festival including those caused by COVID 19. FV also agrees to indemnify and defend KO for any claims against KO arising out of the FV’s operations at the Rossini Festival.