Application Process:
• Companies, nonprofits, and food vendors must apply for their booth each year. Having a booth one year does not guarantee a booth the following year.
• Commercial, Nonprofit, and Sponsor booth applicants must submit this form by May 1, keeping in mind that booth space is limited so the sooner the application is received the better chance of getting a space.
• Food Vendors must submit this application form with a $150 deposit by Feb. 15th. However, the first vendors to apply and pay for their spaces take priority over those with later submissions.
Vendor Fee
• The booth fee for commercial entities is $150. Nonprofits may set up a booth with no fee but a donation is greatly appreciated.
• The food vendor booth fee is: $150 or 10% of vendor proceeds, whichever is greater.
• A maximum of three meal vendors will be accepted at this event; additional drink or
dessert vendors may also be accepted if space is available.
• The Rollans Park land use code allows nonprofit use only. The commercial booth fee is a very reasonable “donation” and saves the RiverFest from monitoring vendor activity.
• The number of booths accepted at this event is limited due to the size of the park and cooperating property owners. UWP reserves the right to decline some booth requests due to space limitations.
• For commercial booths and food vendors, a $150 deposit (non-refundable after June 1) must be submitted along with the application to secure your booth space. Make checks payable to: Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership.
Set Up:
• Food Vendor Set up begins in Rollans Park parking lot on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 8 a.m. River races will begin at 11 a.m. and main festival activities begin at 3 p.m. Food vendors will be asked to arrive at a designated time between 9 a.m. and 12 noon.
• Commercial, Nonprofit, and Sponsor Booth Vendor set up begins in Rollans Park parking lot on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Main festival activities begin at 3 p.m.
• Vendors are required to have their booths in place, equipment/supplies unloaded from vehicles, and unnecessary vehicles removed from the festival area by 2 p.m. No set up is allowed on Friday.
• Vendors are responsible for their booth equipment, such as canopy, tables, chairs, signs, etc.
• You may operate silent generators for power if needed (electricity will NOT be provided). If your generator is not silent, you will be asked to leave and not make any sales.
• UWP will provide tents and tables where Food Vendor customers can consume their products.
Hours of Operation:
• Main festival hours are Saturday 3 to 7 p.m. with some river races planned before noon. All festival scheduling is subject to change by UWP if necessary and will be communicated.
• Booths must be staffed from 3 to 6 p.m.
• The festival goes on rain or shine. Staff and volunteers must be prepared for any weather.
Beverages:
• Vendors may not sell beer or alcohol, unless otherwise arranged through sponsorship.
Taxes and Insurance:
• Commercial booths and Food Vendors are responsible for all federal, state, and town taxes. UWP will provide food vendors and commercial booths with Ridgway sales tax forms.
• Food Vendors and Commercial booths must furnish proof of insurance and tax license.
• Food vendors and organizations with booths are responsible for all liabilities.
Health and Safety:
• Each booth owner and food vendor must comply with all federal, state, and local health regulations.
• Any booth using electricity, fire or solar appliances must have a portable fire extinguisher.
Operation Guidelines:
• Booths may not sell (or give away) beer or alcohol.
• Booths can expect to interact with approximately 400+ festival goers.
• Food Vendors are asked to have an adequate food amount for a festival of 400-plus people with two to three food vendors.
• The Ridgway RiverFest and UWP do not guarantee sales.
• Raffles are only allowed at the discretion of UWP after receiving requests.
• In an attempt to achieve and maintain variety and profitability for all vendors, the Ridgway RiverFest may limit vendor’s food offerings.
• This is a zero-waste event, so booth owners and food vendors are asked to limit any waste to recyclable, compostable items and take any other waste out at the end of the day. Food Vendors must only use compostable or recyclable food service products, beverage containers, and utensils. Many distributors sell these products, most at competitive rates
• Equipment and any belongings that are left on site are at the vendor or booth owner’s risk.
Clean Up:
• Each booth or vendor organization is responsible for clean up of their booth site at the end of the festival.
• Each booth or vendor organization is responsible for trash generated by their booth.
• Vendor organizations much remove their booths and all equipment must be removed at the end of the festival, by 8 p.m. Saturday.