2024 Cheese Curd Festival
Food Truck/Vendor Agreement

Dates to Remember…

APPLICATIONS & DEPOSIT DUE: February 1, 2024

ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATION: No later than March 1, 2024, applications may also be approved upon submission

FULL FEES DUE: April 1, 2024

FESTIVAL SET-UP: Beginning Thursday, June 20 at noon & Friday, June 21 at 10am

FESTIVAL: June 21 & 22, 2024

LOCATION: East End Park/East End Business District, Ellsworth, WI

DATE/TIME: Friday, June 21, 2024 • 4pm -10pm
Saturday, June 22, 2024 • 10am -10pm

ABOUT: The event is a 23-year tradition that celebrates Ellsworth’s designation as the Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin. The festival pays homage to the beloved cheese curd with hand-battered deep-fried curds and signature sauces, and other creative cheese curd-influenced cuisine.

In addition, a full schedule of live music, tasting events, and activities entertain guests throughout the 1-1/2 day festival. Other events include the Vendor Marketplace, Cheese Curd Eating Contest, a classic car show, and many other popular activities.

ATTENDANCE: Our Cheese Curd Festival draws a crowd of 25,000-30,000 hungry, cheese-loving fans each year.

VENDOR FEE: $475 (plus $75 for electric and/or $75 for water, if needed). A $150 deposit per booth is due with application. Application must be received no later than February 1, 2024. The $475 fee is due no later than April 1, 2024. All fees and deposits are nonrefundable (if your application is not approved application fee and deposit will be returned).

DAMAGE DEPOSIT: All food vendors must submit a $150 damage/security fee (your $150 application deposit will be shifted to this upon application approval). This fee will be refunded following the festival on the condition that all vendor material is removed and there is no damage to the festival grounds. This fee will not be refunded if you are accepted into the 2024 festival and cancel after you have been notified.

FOOD TRUCK/APPLICATION POLICY:
Confirmation from the Cheese Curd Festival is based on the date and time of application submissions. Additionally, we will take your menu into account when we receive your completed application. Our goal for the event is twofold: First, to bring area food vendors/food trucks to the forefront. Second, to provide a unique experience, in keeping with the festival theme, by ensuring menu variety and unique cheese-curd-influenced offerings. We’re looking for quality and creativity and encourage your unique cheese curd menu items.

From pizza to burgers, on a stick or in a boat, other than deep-fried cheese curds, the sale of which is the main fundraiser for the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce (EACC), the sky is the limit! All Food Trucks in attendance must incorporate cheese curds into at least two menu items, with the dish of their choice becoming their entry in the “Best Cheese Curd Dish” and “People’s Choice” competitions. A special committee will select the grand prize winner.

While we are unable to guarantee there will not be competing vendors, we will take this into consideration as we receive vendor applications. The Cheese Curd Festival reserves the right to turn down applications (and return fees) based on the number of applications received and overall variety of applications.

PROCEEDS: Food trucks and vendors keep 100% of their proceeds of sales at the event. However, food trucks/vendors are NOT allowed to sell ANY alcoholic beverages at the event. Additionally, deep-fried cheese curds can be sold if incorporated into your cheese curd menu items, but CANNOT be a menu item on their own or served as a side dish.

ONSITE RESOURCES:
All food trucks and vendors must be able to operate independently of any provided resources at East End Park including water, electrical (see below), refrigeration, and any materials. Vendors are responsible for all set-up and clean-up of their booth space and their immediate area surrounding such space. All food vendors are required to supply one garbage can at their booth.

ELECTRICAL: There is a limited supply of 50/20 amp circuits available for food vendors/truck. Please indicate your power needs, if any, on the application. There is a $75 additional fee for use of electricity.

WATER: Water hook-ups are available for vendors who make arrangements with us in advance. Water usage via residential houses is prohibited. Please indicate your water needs, if any, on the application. There is a $75 additional fee for use.

SET-UP, HOURS, TEAR-DOWN: Set-up times will be assigned starting at noon on Thursday, June 20, 2024 and at 10am on Friday, June 21, 2024. All set-up must be completed no later than 1 hour before the event. All food trucks/vendors are required to remain open until 10pm. There will be NO teardown prior to 10pm on Saturday, June 22, 2024.

OPERATING LICENSE: All food vendors must call the Pierce County Health Department to determine if your current permit allows you to sell food at this event or if additional permits are necessary. You must contact the Pierce County Health Department (Brian Long) at 715-273- 6755 at least 14 days prior to the Cheese Curd Festival or late application fees will apply. A Pierce County Health Department official will be onsite to conduct vendor inspections before the festival begins.

INSURANCE: Food trucks must provide the EACC with a copy of their Operating License no later than 1 week prior to the event. In addition, Food Trucks must also provide an Insurance Certificate naming EACC and the Village of Ellsworth as additional insureds subject to a combined single limit of at least $1,000,000 (one million dollars) each occurrence and $1,000,000 (one million dollars) in the aggregate for bodily injury and property damage with regard to use at East End Park. Insurance certificate is required no later than 1 week prior to the event.

APPLICATION APPROVALS:
Based upon the projected number of attendees, Food Trucks will likely be limited to no more than 18 and applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Approval notifications will begin no later than March 1, 2024. Applications may also be approved upon submission. Approvals will continue as applications are received and until all spots are filled, or through April 30, 2024.

PROMOTION: We will be promoting all Food Trucks participating in the event as part of the overall festival marketing plan. Please forward, via email, a high-resolution digital file of your logo (.ai or .eps preferred). Your logo will be displayed on www.CheeseCurdFestival.com/Food, on social media, and other marketing materials, as applicable.

ADDITIONAL FOOD TRUCK/VENDOR INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES:

  • Food Trucks and Vendors will be provided space based upon our layout. Food trucks and Vendors must plan on staying the entirety of the event.
  • Each Food Truck must include at least two (2) CHEESE CURD items in their festival menu. One item will be entered into our “Best Cheese Curd Dish” and “People’s Choice” contest. These items must be made prominent on your booth/truck and menu.
  • Deep-fried cheese curds can be sold if incorporated into your cheese curd menu items, but CANNOT be a menu item on their own or served as a side dish.
  • Participants are permitted to sell only the items that are submitted in this application and accepted by the Cheese Curd Festival jury.
  • Items presented for sale that have not been submitted and approved may be removed at the discretion of Festival Staff.
  • The event will be held rain or shine.
  • Food safety is a primary concern. If you have any questions as to what needs to be done so you can operate, please contact us.
  • Please keep your area clean and do not throw trash next to or behind your area.
  • There is no carry-on alcohol allowed at the festival.
  • No Food Truck or vendor may produce or sell any merchandise, apparel, or promotional items with the Cheese Curd Festival logo or wording without prior consent.
  • Please contact the Curd Crew with questions at crew@cheesecurdfestival.com. You may also reach us by phone at 715-273-6442, but you will receive a response faster via email.

All cheese curds used at the Cheese Curd Festival must be Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery Cheese Curds. Contact John Freeman at 715-273-4311 x229.

Now accepting applications for our 2024 Festival!