PARTICIPATE AS A FOOD VENDOR!

FAIR DATES: THURSDAY, AUGUST 15 - SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 2024
FAIR LOCATION: McLEOD COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS - 840 CENTURY AVE SW, HUTCHINSON, MN 55350
HOURS OF VENDOR OPERATION:   THURSDAY: 10:00AM - 10:00PM, FRIDAY: 10:00AM - 10:00PM, SATURDAY: 10:00AM - 10:00PM, SUNDAY: 10:00AM - 8:00PM
*vendors are welcome to open sooner and close later, but must be operational during these times. In the case of weather events or other safety related concerns, vendors may need to shut down early. Before doing so, please contact Steve Kuttner or the Fair Office for approval.

• Contracts received until MAY 1^st or until filled (after MAY 1st, on a case-by-case basis. Please call).
• Once accepted - Contracts signed by McLeod County Agricultural Association and confirmation by email or mail will be sent designating acceptance.
• Checks cashed when applications are approved (or at time of online form submission). No refunds unless your application is not accepted - in that case, 100%  will be refunded.  
• SETUP:  All vendors must check in with Steve Kuttner at the fair office for location. No guaranteed spots. Placement is based on electrical needs and the best interests of the McLeod County Fair. Vendor packets will be distributed at time of check-in at the Fair Office.
• Steve Kuttner will be available Monday - Wednesday prior to the start of the fair for placement.  All vendors using power must be on site and placed, ready for an electrical inspection by 1:00PM WEDNESDAY.  Failure to meet the timeline or pass inspection results in loss of space and NO REFUNDS.  Pre-inspection before arrival is suggested.
• Be prepared for health & fire inspections. Stands need to be operational by fair opening, 9:00AM THURSDAY.  Pre-inspection before arrival is suggested.
• DISMANTLING:  the fair officially ends at 7:00 PM Sunday.  For guest safety, we ask that there is no vehicle traffic up to stands until 8:00 PM.   All vendors must completely remove stands by Monday at 5 PM.
• NEW! The recipient of the best new vendor and best overall vendor award will each receive $50 off of next year's vendor fee!

APPLICATION PROCESS:  Please complete the application, attach all necessary documents, and finalize your reservation with payment.  You will receive a confirmation email when successfully submitted, confirming that your application was received.  Preferred payment is by credit card at time of application. If payment by check is needed, please note that applications are not reviewed for approval until all completed forms and payment are received.   You are not automatically guaranteed a space at the McLeod County Fair by submitting an application.  A separate confirmation will be sent when the space is approved.  If not approved, you will be fully refunded.   Previous vendors in good standing will get priority for space/menu until MAY 1st.  After MAY 1, any vendor with duplicate main menu items will be considered for approval.   Preference is given to vendors with main menu items that are unique and not duplicated by multiple vendors (some duplication is okay)  and sold at a reasonable price point for our fair's attendees. 

HEALTH & SAFETY:  Please follow any CDC or MN Department of Health guidelines that may be in place at the time of the event.  See refund policy.  MN Department of Health License numbers are required at time of application.

ELECTRICAL:  The electrical supply is very limited and must be reserved in advance. An electrical inspection will be conducted by a MN State Electrical inspector before the event officially starts. All vendors must pass an electrical inspection by the State Electrical Inspectors before participating in sales at the McLeod County Fair.  All cords embossed or printed with a "J" in the code will be rejected by the inspector. Each vendor is responsible for all fees/costs associated with State Electrical Inspection.  Please see the Electrical Information PDF on our website for details. The circuits you plug into will be protected by a ground fault circuit breaker (GFCI) located at the panel board. We strongly suggest your equipment be tested by an electrician using GFCI circuits prior to arriving to prevent tripping of the breaker and potential damage or loss of product. Vendors must have at minimum 100' of appropriately sized and construction-type of rubber cord to feed their trailer. If you have plug-in splices they must be elevated off the grass and wrapped in plastic to ensure they stay dry and watertight. All vendors shall be set up and ready for an electrical inspection starting at 1:00PM Wednesday.  Any electrical repairs or servicing to vendor or fairgrounds property will be at the vendor’s expense.

PUBLIC WI-FI AVAILABLE:  FREE public Wi-Fi is available on the fairgrounds. This can be used for credit card transactions if needed, however, there will be an option to access a secure network connection for a small fee through the provider, if desired. More information will be included in your vendor packet at check-in.

BEVERAGE PRODUCT & CUP WARE: We do not have an exclusive contract with a beverage wholesaler. Each vendor is allowed to sell any non-alcoholic product in any cup ware.

MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE: All vendors must comply with the MN Department of Revenue. All county fairs are required to collect and submit a completed ST-19 Certificate of Compliance form from all vendors designating a valid MN Sales Tax ID#. See the ST-19 pdf link on our website for the form. Print and return a completed form (or upload online) with this contract for each stand.  This MUST be completed in advance and on file before arrival.

INSURANCE: All vendors must have General Liability Insurance naming the McLeod County Agricultural Association as additional insured with $1,000,000 minimum coverage. Submit the Certificate of Liability Insurance naming the McLeod County Agricultural Association as additional insured with this contract.  The correct certificate MUST be received by the fair office in advance before arrival. 

PARKING/SUPPLY TRAILERS: There is a limited supply of electrical for supply trailers/vehicles in the parking area and must be reserved and paid in advance. Pre-Approved supply trailers/vehicles MUST park in the designated vendor parking area in the west parking lot and be identified.  Display provided ID Card visibly in window/on trailer.  NO ADDITIONAL REQUESTS FOR SUPPLY TRAILERS OR VEHICLES WILL BE APPROVED DURING THE WEEK OF THE FAIR.  Trailer may be towed if no ID card is present or visible. NO trailers or vehicles will be allowed near the vendor stands. No motor vehicles will be permitted servicing vendors 8 AM - Close. All products must be hand carted to vendor stands between those times.

STORAGE: No outside storage will be allowed around or near the stand without prior approval by McLeod County Fair.  Everything must be self-contained inside the stand or in the storage trailer/vehicle in parking lot.   Outside freestanding coolers must be pre-approved and have a clean/orderly appearance.  Separate electrical connection needed must be pre-paid. Ice is available for purchase from the fair office on the fairgrounds.

CAMPING: Camping space on grounds is limited and reserved for livestock exhibitors as of now. The City of Hutchinson and McLeod County have beautiful campgrounds located within a few miles of the fairgrounds. A listing of options can be found on the vendor pages of our website. Local campgrounds fill FAST. Reserve early.

RUBBISH, RECYCLING, GRAY WATER & WASTE COOKING OIL: The fair has containers provided for rubbish and waste cooking oil. Oil must be disposed in the bulk bins.  Gray water disposal is the responsibility of the vendor. Please notify the Fair Office if the containers need attention. The Fair participates in recycling. Bulk cardboard must be broken down before tossing in recycle carts or bulk recyclable dumpsters for efficiency.  YOU are responsible for cleaning up trash and any waste present after moving your trailer/stand, and disposing of it in the nearest dumpster.

SECURITY: The McLeod County Agricultural Association is not responsible for items lost, damaged or stolen during or after regular fair hours.  The Police department does monitor the fairgrounds throughout the night, but are not stationed here.  If you are expecting a delivery from a courier, please let them know to get a hold of YOU for sign off, not the Fair Office.

VENDOR AVAILABILITY: To be fair to our attendees, it is important that each vendor be open and available during the times listed. Vendors are welcome to remain open beyond posted times, if desired. (Our evening crowd tends to stick around until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights).

VENDOR CONDUCT: The McLeod County Agricultural Association allows vendors to participate in the McLeod County Fair as long as they conduct themselves in accordance with a "family" and "community" event. Vendors who fail to promote a "family" and "community" attitude will be removed, forfeit their fees, and may not be accepted to future fairs.

Questions? Contact Steve Kuttner, outdoor vendor coordinator - Phone: (320)582-6537 or Email: [email protected]

The McLeod County Agricultural Association values and appreciates our vendors and are always open to suggestions. Please forward to [email protected] or [email protected]. You may also indicate any comments or suggestions on the vendor comment form (found in vendor packet) and return to the fair office at the conclusion of the fair.