Event Vendor Information

Opening Night Deadline:

Vendors wishing to participate in the Thursday Night Market opening night on Thursday, April 9, 2026, must submit a completed application, all required fees, and any applicable permits no later than Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Annual Application Requirement:

All prospective vendors are required to submit a Vendor Application annually, per market season. Your 2026 application must include a one-time, non-refundable $50 Application Processing Fee.

Date Selection & Payment Plans:

Applicants are encouraged to include all requested dates in their initial submission and identify their preferred payment plan. Should additional dates be requested after initial application submission, the business must use the Eventeny app to add more dates. No more than one Application Processing Fee will be processed per market year.

Full Season Applications:

Applications must be submitted no later than seven (7) days prior to the first market of the season, which is Thursday, April 2, 2026.

All Full Season Vendor rules and responsibilities apply (see Cancellation Policy).

Week-to-Week Applications:

Applications must be submitted no later than 12:00 PM (noon) on the Tuesday prior to the market date requested.

Applications are not accepted on-site at the Thursday Night Market.

Season Cancellation Limit:

Each vendor is permitted no more than three (3) cancellations during the 2026 market season. Vendors who exceed three cancellations will forfeit eligibility for any reimbursement or future booth space credit. Continued participation in the market following excessive cancellations will be at the discretion of the Market Manager and DCBA staff.

Full Season Vendor Cancellation:

If a Full Season Vendor elects to cancel participation for the remainder of the 2026 market season, the vendor will receive a $25 reimbursement for each remaining scheduled market week.

A one-time $100 cancellation fee will be applied and deducted from the total reimbursement amount.

Application Fee:

$50 – A required, one-time, non-refundable processing fee applies to all vendor applicants per market season.

Booth Space Fee:

Booth fees vary by vendor type (see pricing chart above). Pricing assumes a single 10' x 10' booth space.

Vendors requiring a double booth (20' x 10') will receive a 50% discount on the second space. Any operation that does not fit within a 10' x 10' space must reserve a double space.

DCBA Members receive a 20% discount on booth space.

Late Payments:

A $20 late fee per booth space will be assessed for payments received after the deadline, and booth space may be reassigned.

Full Season Vendors:

Payment in full is required by Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Platinum Sponsorship – $5,000

• Listed in Thursday Night Market press release
• Mention in TNM radio ads
• Business logo on event banner
• Co-host on Facebook event
• Logo on event posters
• Logo on event newsletters (8K+ subscribers)
• Logo on event web page
• Mention on social media
• Booth space at TNM for the full season

Gold Sponsorship – $2,500

• Business logo on event banner
• Co-host on Facebook event
• Logo on event posters
• Logo on event newsletters (8K+ subscribers)
• Logo on event web page
• Mention on social media
• Booth space at TNM for the full season

Silver Sponsorship – $1,000

• Listed on event posters
• Logo on event newsletters (8K+ subscribers)
• Logo on event web page
• Mention on social media
• Booth space at TNM for 3 months

Bronze Sponsorship – $500

• Listed on event newsletters (8K+ subscribers)
• Logo on event web page
• Mention on social media
• Booth space at TNM for 1 month

Animals:

In accordance with the California Retail Food Code, animals are prohibited within 20 feet (6 meters) of any certified farmers' market or food facility.

Vendors bringing animals within this distance from any mobile food facility, temporary food facility, or certified farmers' market are liable for any damage caused by the animal to the premises or facilities.

Children:

Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times while participating in the market.

Smoking:

Smoking is not permitted in or near vendor booth spaces or within 20 feet of any downtown restaurant or storefront, per the City of Chico No-Smoking Ordinance.

The City Plaza is also designated as a smoke-free zone.

Alcohol:

Vendors are not permitted to consume alcoholic beverages at the event. (California AB774 permits limited sampling by customers under certain conditions, but vendors are excluded from consumption.)

Photography & Media:

Photographs of vendors, customers, and performers during the Thursday Night Market may be used for future event promotion, including printed materials, social media, and the DCBA website.

Vendors understand that:

• There is no compensation for use of images
• Subjects in photographs may not be notified prior to use

Restrooms:

Public restrooms are available at:

• City Plaza
• 4th Street near Main
• 3rd Street near Salem

Vendors should not use downtown merchant restrooms unless they are a paying customer that evening.

Attire:

Vendors and customers must be fully clothed throughout the market, including during set-up and tear-down.

Booth Space Dimensions:

• Vendor Single Space: 10' x 10'
• Vendor Double Space: 20' x 10'
• Certified Grower Space: 15' x 15'
• Certified Grower Double Space: 30' x 15'

Special Terms and Conditions Apply – See Certified Grower Information Packet

Vendor Selection & Assignment Authority:

All applications are carefully reviewed, and selection of market vendors is at the sole discretion of the Thursday Night Market Committee, comprised of DCBA staff.

The committee reserves the right to refuse admittance or reassign spaces at any time.

• All displays, signage, and booth content must be neat, orderly, and aesthetically pleasing.
• Vendors are responsible for providing all equipment and furnishings necessary to operate their booth.
• All merchandise must be displayed using tables, racks, shelving, display cases, or similar methods. Some exceptions may apply—please contact DCBA staff for guidance.
• Tables must be covered with a tablecloth (fabric or vinyl), and table skirting is recommended.
• All content must remain within the designated booth space, including tables, canopies, merchandise, signs, staff, and product demonstrations. Displays may not protrude into customer circulation areas.
• Vendors who regularly extend beyond their allotted footprint may be charged for a second booth space.

Lighting & Power:

• Booth lighting is recommended, particularly during early spring and late summer.
• Battery-powered lighting or battery + inverter setups are encouraged.
• Use of generators requires prior approval by management to assess noise and exhaust.
• No open flames are allowed, including candles, incense, sage, or other aromatic products.

• Vendors may not provide music or entertainment in booths without prior approval from market management. Permitted music must be free of foul or explicit language.
• Aggressive sales tactics are prohibited.
• All booth content and display items must be family-friendly, as determined by the Market Manager or DCBA staff.

Compliance Review: Market management and DCBA staff will periodically review vendor booths to ensure adherence to these guidelines.

Vendor Responsibility:

Before leaving the market, each vendor must ensure that their booth space and surrounding area are completely free of debris, freshly swept, and that all vendor-generated trash is properly disposed of.

While trash receptacles are provided for customer use, vendors are responsible for removing all of their own waste. No trace of the vendor should remain.

Sweepers are available at the Event Headquarters booth for vendor use.

Violations & Fines:

Vendors leaving behind an unclean booth or surrounding area are subject to the following fines:

• First offense: Verbal warning
• Second offense: $25 fine
• Third offense: $50 fine

More than three such violations are grounds for dismissal from the market.

The Thursday Night Market is a rain-or-shine event.

Exception: If the anticipated temperature between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM is 108°F or greater, market will be CANCELLED. If this occurs, booth fees will be rolled over to the next available market.

Weather Optional Designation:

The market may be designated as a "Weather Optional Market" under the following conditions:

• If the chance of rain between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM is greater than 50%
• If the anticipated temperature between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM is greater than 105°F

Weather Optional Procedures:

• Market Management will declare a "Weather Optional Market" by 5:00 PM on the Tuesday prior to the market. All weather updates and market-related communications will be distributed through Eventeny. Vendors are responsible for monitoring their Eventeny messages for these updates.
• Vendors are responsible for messaging the DCBA through your Eventeny account before 3:00 PM on Wednesday of market week to notify staff if they will not participate.
• If a vendor opts not to participate due to weather, booth fees will be rolled over to the next available market.
• If the vendor has a scheduling conflict and cannot attend the next market, it is their responsibility to message the DCBA through your Eventeny account to review options by the following Monday at 12:00 PM.
• Vendors who choose to participate during a Weather Optional Market assume full responsibility for any equipment, food, or other items that may be affected or damaged by inclement weather.
• Fees will not be refunded or rolled over for vendors who participate during a Weather Optional Market.

Inspection of Products:

All commodities and products are subject to inspection at any time by the County Agricultural Commissioner, Butte County Environmental Health, and/or the Market Manager and DCBA staff.

Refusal to cooperate with inspectors or comply with requests will constitute a market violation and may result in immediate dismissal from the market.

Reinstatement:

Reinstatement is contingent upon satisfaction of conditions determined by the Market Manager.

If reinstatement is not granted, no refund will be issued.

Enforcement & Penalties:

• The Market Manager and any authorized agent may issue warnings and take appropriate action against vendors who violate market rules or applicable laws and regulations.
• Penalties may include fines, suspension of selling privileges, or loss of assigned booth space.
• Verbal warnings will be followed by written warnings prior to imposing fines, suspension, or expulsion.
• All warnings and penalties will be permanently documented in DCBA records for future reference.

Certified Grower Required Permits:

• Certified Producer Certificate (CPC) – Producing County Department of Agriculture

Additional Documents (if applicable):

• Avocado Inspection Certificate/Permit – CDFA
• Egg Handlers Registration Form – CDFA
• License to Sell Nursery Stock – CDFA
• Organic Producers/Handlers/Processors Registration – CDFA
• Processed Food Registration (PFR) – CDPH
• Proof of Producer-ship for Non-Certifiable Ag Products – Producing County Department of Agriculture
• Seller's Permit/Resale License – CA State Board of Equalization (flowers and non-edible plants only)

Non-Profit Required Permits (if applicable):

• Seller's Permit / Resale License (if selling anything)
• Butte County Environmental Health Permit (if selling food/some drinks)
• State of California Non-Profit Raffle Registration (some exemptions apply)
• IRS Determination Letter

Prepared food items may be sold a maximum of once per month at any community event without applying for a county health permit.

Handmade Required Permit:

• Seller's Permit / Resale License

Commercial Required Permits (if applicable):

• Seller's Permit / Resale License
• Processed Food Registration (PFR)
• Butte County Environmental Health Permit (Mobile Food, Temporary Food, or Cottage Food)
• Certificate of General Liability Insurance naming DCBA as additional insured:
  Downtown Chico Business Association
  338 Broadway Street
  Chico, CA 95928

Prepared Foods Required Permits (if applicable):

• Seller's Permit / Resale License (hot food items only)
• Butte County Environmental Health Permit
• Processed Food Registration (PFR) – if also selling pre-packaged items
• Certificate of General Liability Insurance naming DCBA as additional insured:
  Downtown Chico Business Association
  338 Broadway Street
  Chico, CA 95928

Corporate Required Permit:

• Seller's Permit / Resale License (required only if sales occur at the market)

DCBA Members (20% Discount)

Eligible DCBA Members are businesses that:

• Are located within the Downtown Chico District
• Hold a current City of Chico business license including payment of the Downtown Parking & Business Improvement Assessment (DPBIA) tax

Booth space must accurately represent the type of business conducted at the downtown location listed on the license.

Churches, financial institutions, and non-profit organizations located downtown are currently exempt from the DPBIA tax and therefore do not qualify as DCBA Members for market discount purposes.

Required Producer Signage

• The business name or farm/establishment name
• The city or town and county where production occurs
• A statement affirming that only products grown by the producer are being offered for sale

Certified Producer's Certificate (CPC)

The Certified Producer's Certificate (CPC) must be prominently displayed at all times. Only items listed on the CPC may be offered for sale.

Pricing Requirements

Producers must clearly and legibly post the price per unit for each commodity offered for sale.

Collusion and deceptive pricing practices are strictly prohibited. Bargaining with consumers is permitted.

Organic Labeling

Only Certified Growers holding valid Organic Certification from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) may display signage or advertising indicating that products are organic.

Producers without such certification may only use organic-related signage if it clearly states, "not registered or certified organic."

Pre-Packaged Food Labeling

All pre-packaged food products must be labeled in compliance with applicable regulations and must include:

• Product name
• Name and address of the producer
• Complete list of ingredients
• Net weight

Management Approval

All signage is subject to review and approval by DCBA management. Non-compliant signage may be required to be removed or corrected immediately.

• Only employees and/or family members of the Certified Producer are permitted to sell at the market. Records showing proof of employment may be requested.
• No commission sales are allowed per State of California regulations. Vendors caught reselling may permanently lose their space at the market.
• Certified producers selling nursery products must have performed propagation, germination, planting, cuttings, and division work in compliance with California law.
• All food, food storage containers, and utensils must be stored/displayed at least 6 inches above the ground at all times.

Sampling Requirements

• Samples must follow Butte County Department of Public Health Guidelines.
• Samples must be individually portioned (toothpicks or sample cups).
• Samples must be served on a covered tray to protect from contamination.
• Samples may not come into direct contact with servers' hands.
• Vendors offering samples must have hand washing and utensil washing stations.

For safe food handling questions, contact Butte County Department of Public Health at (530) 891-2727.

• When selling by weight, scales must be approved, tested, and sealed by the County Agricultural Commissioner, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
• All scales must maintain a valid and current seal at all times.