Food Vendor Guidelines
Street food is a critical part of the First Friday experience. Food vendors play a crucial role in defining the energy of the event, keeping visitors downtown longer, and enhancing the overall atmosphere. We welcome professional food vendors, food trucks, and not-for-profit organizations to apply to sell food during First Fridays.
Participating vendors benefit from strong foot traffic, built-in promotion as part of a well-established community event, and the chance to build brand recognition with a diverse audience. Whether you’re introducing your concept to new customers or deepening loyalty with existing fans, First Fridays offer a consistent, high-visibility platform to showcase your food and grow your presence in downtown Goshen.
Sell Food at Goshen First Fridays
Please review the guidelines below before applying to participate.
- Application. All food vendors must apply for approval. The deadline to apply is March 23rd, 2026.
- Approval. All vendors will be notified of their approval or denial by March 27th, 2026. Please note that you may not be approved for all of your desired dates. Preference will be given to First Fridays members. (Please note that membership is only available to businesses in the Downtown Goshen sector.)
- Payment. Each vendor will be invoiced ahead of the events for which they are approved and selected. These invoices must be paid in full before participants can attend the event. Those who do not pay their invoices in advance will not be permitted to return to our events until their outstanding invoices are settled.
- Insurance. You must carry liability insurance. Before you can be approved, you will need to provide First Fridays with a Certificate of Liability insurance naming Downtown Goshen Inc. as the additional insured on your policy. These documents must be attached to your application; otherwise, you will not be approved.
- Hold Harmless. You must Digitally Sign the Hold Harmless Agreement as part of your application.
- Health Department. For-profit vendors must have approval from the Elkhart County Health Department to participate. Any for-profit vendor that is not licensed in Elkhart County will be subject to an inspection on the day of the event. Vendors not licensed to operate in Elkhart County must submit a temporary food vendor permit to the Elkhart County Health Department no less than 30 days before each event for which they are selected.
Food Vendor Fees
First Fridays will feature a limited number of food vendors at our events from May to November 2026. Pending approval, vendor fees are priced on a per-event basis. All fees must be paid prior to the event.
Food Vendor Fees Per-Event
- Not-for-profit: $55 per event day
- For-profit: $225 per event day
Refund Policy
First Fridays events are rain or shine events. We will not issue refunds for weather cancellations.
Food Vendors may submit a request for a refund (minus an admin fee) if they submit a cancellation notification via email at least 30 days before the event. We will not issue refunds for cancellations less than 30 days before the event.
Event Schedule
- 2 p.m.
Food trucks may begin arriving - 3:30 p.m.
Health department inspections begin - 8:45 p.m.Last call for orders
- 9 p.m.
Food trucks must finish their final orders and begin tearing down (this is out of respect for our many staff and volunteers who cannot leave the premises until all vendors are clear of the space). - 9:45 p.m.
Streets and sidewalks must be cleared no later than 9:45 p.m., or you will be subject to a fee.
Elkhart County Health Department Requirements
For-profit vendors MUST contact the Health Department at least 30 days in advance to give notice of intent to operate at First Fridays. Vendors can view requirements for temporary food guidelines at the Elkhart County Health Department web site. Facilities must be able to pass inspection in order to receive a temporary food service license.
Location / Equipment
First Fridays provides vendors with a designated space. Vendors must provide and set up their equipment (tent, tables, chairs, etc). Vendors must secure all tents with weights – stakes are strictly prohibited. Food vendors using grills must provide a means for smoke abatement and have an appropriate fire extinguisher readily available.
Electrical / Water Access
First Fridays does NOT provide on-site access to electricity or water. Vendors must provide their own generators. Generators must be safe and in good working order. Loud generators are not permitted. If your generator is too noisy, we will ask you to bring a different generator for the next event.
Non-Compete Policy
First Fridays, generally, will not approve applications for food vendors who compete directly with Downtown Goshen businesses.
Garbage In – Garbage Out
All materials brought by the vendor and all recycling/trash collected during the night must be removed by 9:45 p.m. Vendors may not leave trash bags at their vendor location nor pour any waste materials in the lawn or street drain. Trash or recycling left at the vendor’s site will be removed at the vendor’s expense. Wastewater, such as water used for washing dishes or from washing hands, must be disposed of in an approved sewer or at a wastewater dumping station. Wastewater MAY NOT be dumped on the ground or poured down a stormwater drain.
Music
Vendors must obtain prior approval from First Fridays to play music at their location.
Liability Certificate
Food Vendors must have all necessary documentation and permits to sell food to the public, including a Certificate of Liability Insurance naming Downtown Goshen Inc. as the insured. You will be asked to upload a PDF or image of the completed certificate on the application form. This form must be submitted in order to be approved.
Removal
First Fridays has the right to revoke vending privileges and/or remove a vendor from the site without a refund if the vendor does not follow the guidelines.
Questions
Contact us via email or phone (574) 203-2034 with any questions.
