• SQUARE ROOTS FESTIVAL 2023 - Food Vendor Application

    Festival Dates and Operating Hours:
    Friday, July 7, 5-10pm
    Saturday, July 8, Noon-10pm
    Sunday, July 9, Noon-9pm

    Festival location: 4400-4560 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
    Festival website: www.SquareRoots.org

    Non-refundable registration fee and all supporting documentation must be submitted by June 1, 2023. The Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce (LSRCC), Old Town School of Folk Music (OTSFM) and Big Buzz Idea Group (BBIG) are not responsible for applications that do not include the necessary documentation. Vendors with outstanding debt to LSRCC, OTSFM or City of Chicago will not be allowed to participate until outstanding financial obligations are rectified.

    Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance to the event. Due to limited space at Square Roots, vendor selection will be based on menu, completion of paperwork and payment. The Festival Committee reserves the right to limit the number of Food Vendors in all categories (ie. Chinese, Mediterranean, Ice Cream, etc.). Application and equipment fees will be refunded to any vendor not approved.

    To qualify for LSRCC membership, restaurants must be located within a two-mile radius of the LSRCC office at 4505 N Lincoln Avenue. and the membership application must be filed by April 3, 2023.
    DUE DATES
    APPLICATION AND PAYMENT DUE DATE: April 7, 2023 / FINAL MENU DUE DATE: May 12, 2023 / ALL SUPPORTING PAPERWORK DUE DATE: June 1, 2023 ($100 fee for late or incomplete paperwork)
    FOOD VENDOR RULES AND GUIDELINES
    Requirements subject to change pending any 2023 Food Vendor mandates.
    FEES AND COMMISSIONS
    *A non-refundable $400 registration fee will reserve your 10'x15' space. This application fee includes the City of Chicago Temporary Food Vending License Fee and a hand washing sink. Each food vendor will be required to complete a Festival Application, Temporary Food Vendor Permit Application (with final menu and site plan), copy of current Health Inspection (dated 2023), Summer Sanitation Certificate, and Certificate of Insurance verifying Commercial General Liability Insurance with the City of Chicago listed as the Certificate Holder and with the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce, Old Town School of Folk Music, and Big Buzz Idea Group listed as Additional Insureds. This is a rain or shine event. Inclement weather or Acts of God will not result in the cancellation of the event or the refunding of your fees. A $100 fee will be assessed for all late or incomplete applications. *THIS IS A TICKETED EVENT. CASH SALES ARE NOT PERMITTED. Any food vendor accepting cash sales or tips will be immediately removed from the festival. All food prices must be in $1 increments. LSRCC/OTSFM will receive 20% (10% for LSRCC members) of all sales based on food tickets, and you will receive a check for 80% (90% for LSRCC members) issued on Thursday, July 13, between 2 and 4pm. Tickets must be wrapped in $100 bundles and submitted to the LSRCC office at 4505 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60625 by 4pm Tuesday, July 11. Tickets submitted after July 11 will incur a 5% deduction per day. Any fines and/or outstanding fees will also be deducted from this payout. Food Vendors assume sole responsibility for their tickets. LSRCC, OTSFM and BBIG are not responsible or accountable for any lost and/or stolen tickets. The LSRCC/OTSFM does not withhold any taxes from Square Roots participants, and any taxes associated with Square Roots participation are the responsibility of each individual Food Vendor.
    MENU AND BEVERAGES
    *Food Vendor menus will be approved on a first come basis. All final menus are subject to approval by the Square Roots Committee. *All alcoholic beverages, soda and water will only be sold by the LSRCC/OTSFM. Food vendors may sell other pre-approved non-alcoholic beverages.
    BOOTH REQUIREMENTS
    *Vendors are responsible for setup and teardown of all signage, tents, tables and equipment. Vendors may participate in a bulk rental order for tents, tables and equipment. You may use only your assigned space. No drilling into the street shall be permitted. *Vehicles are only allowed on the street for setup prior to the start of the event and for teardown after the festival has closed. You will be notified when it is safe to bring your vehicle onto the street. All vendors will receive a confirmation email regarding load-in and load-out times. At no time may vendors block residential alleys or driveways. All vehicles must be removed from the street 60 minutes prior to the start of the event. *All tents, booths or canopies must be made from fire retardant material. Each food vendor must have an approved fire extinguisher (carbon dioxide or multi-purpose dry chemical - minimum of 20 pounds) in their booth. A Type K extinguisher is required for grilling. *All propane tanks must be 10 feet away from any canopy. The City of Chicago requires all propane tanks to be chained together and attached to a stationary post. Food sales can be postponed until propane tanks are properly secured. *All Food Vendors are responsible for complying with all City of Chicago and State of Illinois guidelines for food service to the public. *In an effort to protect your space and effectively maintain cleanliness of the event, any vendor not staffing their booth for the duration of the event will be required to "close their booth" using tent sides. Vendors who do not adhere to this policy will be fined $100 per day. *Each vendor is required to empty garbage, recyclables and grease as necessary in the Festival-provided containers. DO NOT dispose of grease in the street gutters. Vendor space must be kept clean and free of debris. A Square Roots staff member will periodically monitor and then review the space for cleanliness each night with the vendor. Each vendor is responsible for providing necessary trash bags and properly bagging and disposing of all garbage from your booth. Any booth not properly cleaned prior to exiting the festival will have a $200 fee withheld from final payouts. Protective materials must be placed under fryers and grills. Any vendor who leaves equipment or supplies begind at the close of the event will incur an additional $300 fine (NO exceptions). Sidewalks are NOT part of assigned booth spaces. Sidewalks must be left unobstructed at ALL times. Any Food Vendor using any portion of the sidewalk will be fined $300 per day. *Running water and lights are not provided. However, hand washing sinks are provided for Food Vendors. *Each canopy leg must be secured with at least 40 lbs per leg. Please note that Square Roots does not have extra weights on hand for vendor use. *Canopies should be lowered and secured overnight.
    GENERAL GUIDELINES
    *All festival participants and their employees are expected to serve as a positive representation of the community and at no time should there be any illegal activities taking place at the festival. Any vendor found in violation of these rules can be fined and immediately removed from the festival and prosecuted at the organizer's discretion. *LSRCC, OTSFM, BBIG, employees, related festival providers and participating sponsors shall NOT be responsible for any injury, loss or damage that may occur to the vendor, its employees or property prior to, during or subsequent to the period covered by the vending contract. The vendor signing this contract expressly releases all of the aforementioned from any and all claims from such loss, damage or injury. *LSRCC, OTSFM and BBIG are grateful for the support of our sponsors. All vendors are expected to work with our sponsors and follow contract specifications when applicable. *This event will be photographed and videotaped. By participating in this event you hereby consent to the use of your likeness or image in those photographs or video for future promotional consideration by Square Roots, the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce, Old Town School of Folk Music and/or Big Buzz Idea Group. *Mistreatment of event staff or volunteers will not be tolerated. LSRCC, OTSFM and BBIG reserve the right to remove any individual/company from the event and ban from future Big Buzz Idea Group productions.
    Are you a member of the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce? *
    CONTACT INFORMATION
    Form must be fully completed.
    Company Address
    First and Last Name
    xxx-xxx-xxxx
    First and Last Name
    BOOTH INFORMATION
    Booth space is NOT reserved until payment is received.
    Final menu due May 12
    Need to rent tent, tables, electricity, etc.? *
    If yes, please complete Equipment Rental Form and submit soon after Food Vendor Application. We do not provide any equipment, running water, or lights.
    Booth will be using propane? *
    City ordinance requires all propane tanks to be 10 feet away from any canopy.
    Will your booth have music? Note amplified music is NOT allowed. *
    Strict limitations apply. Festival Committee must approve music in advance.
    FOOD VENDOR BOOTH FEE
    Includes City of Chicago Food Vendor License Fee and handwashing unit for your booth
    10'x15' spaces requested x $400 each (LSRCC member pricing) *
    I'm interested in information about available sanitation courses. *
    REQUIRED ITEMS FOR TEMPORARY FOOD LICENSE
    City licensing and compliance with the Department of Health and Sanitation is the responsibility of each Food Vendor.
    City licensing and compliance with the Department of Health and Sanitation is the responsibility of each Food Vendor
    FOR MORE INFORMATION ON REQUIRED FOOD VENDOR PAPERWORK
    Contact Craig at Big Buzz Idea Group: craig@bigbuzzideagroup.com
    Payment Options *
    In order to maintain privacy, we will invoice those who want to pay by credit card, so you can directly enter your payment online. By agreeing to participate, please process payment by the June 1 due date. Applications will not be processed and space will not be secured until payment is received. Please make checks payable to "Square Roots" and mail to: Square Roots c/o Big Buzz Idea Group, 4055 W. Peterson Ave., Ste. 105, Chicago IL 60646
    Event Rules, Requirements and Guidelines *
    For the safety, security and benefit of our vendors, all participants must abide by the rules, requirements and guidelines. Any non-compliance may result in immediate removal from the festival and further action will be taken if necessary. This acknowledges that you have read and understand the rules and guidelines set forth as well as all fines, penalties or other actions that may be taken.
    SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
    Signature
    By entering your name below you acknowledge that you have read, understand and will comply with the rules, requirements and guidelines set forth.

  •  

     

  • Media Inquiries Contact Ripson Group