We look forward to your participation! Only items listed on the vendor’s application and approved by the SPF Committee may be sold. Vendors breaching this contract will be removed.

APPLICATION & PAYMENT: The SPF Committee reserves the right to deny applications. All applications are on a first come/first paid basis. Confirmation of approved applications to include an invoice will be emailed to vendors, so it is important that your email is listed correctly and that you check your email frequently. Prompt payment of fees within 30 days of the invoice sent date is a must to secure a space in the festival. After 30 days, a $100 late fee will be applied. Refunds will not be issued once you are accepted as a vendor and submit proper payment. THE ABSOLUTE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS TO BE RECEIVED IS AUGUST 15, 2024.

REQUIRED LICENSES: The City of Darlington requires that vendors who are not nonprofit obtain a city business license through the City of Darlington. To apply, you may go to the City Administrative Office at 400 Pearl Street, Darlington, SC 29532, or call 843-398-4000, ext. 100, for more information. The form can be found on the City of Darlington website at http://www.cityofdarlington.com under Business, License Information.

Make sure you are set up with the South Carolina Department of Revenue. If you already have a retail license, just bring your retail license to the festival. If you do not have a retail license, you may go to mydorway.dor.sc.gov and go to Applications, Business Tax Application and complete the form. The South Carolina Department of Revenue is located at 181 E. Evans Street, #5, in Florence, SC 29506. Their phone number is 1-844-898-8542.

POWER, HEAT SOURCE, WATER: We have limited electricity, so apply and pay early. GENERATORS are allowed on the festival site. However, you must indicate on the application that you are bringing a generator. Vendors will be inspected for use of generators as indicated on their submitted application. We will NOT be furnishing water, so plan to bring your own water supplies. South Carolina regulations require that all propane cylinders between 4 and 40 pounds must have the new Overfill Protection Device Safety Valves. ALL FOOD VENDORS cooking on site MUST HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER on hand.

SETUP & OPERATION: Vendors must occupy the assigned space. Booth spaces are 14 x 14. Vendors needing additional space will need to pay for an additional booth. No subletting of booths is allowed. Vendors may set up from 6:30 am - 9:00 am. Set up of all booths must be completed by 9:00 am and all sales completed by 4:00 pm. Vehicles must be removed from the festival area by 9:00 am. All equipment and supplies must be loaded and removed from the vendor area by 5:30 pm. All vendors must provide their own tents, tables, power sources and equipment. Strict DHEC standards will be observed. All food vendors will be inspected by DHEC. All perishable items and pies are to be kept on ice. Vendors will be solely responsible for the security and safety of vendor’s cash, equipment, goods, inventory, supplies or other property. No curbside vending or vending while walking through the festival will be allowed. No advertising or sale of beer or alcoholic beverages. If you sell these products, they will be confiscated and you will be removed from the festival. Vendors and their employees/assistants are not permitted to drink alcoholic beverages during festival hours. No silly string, poppers, tinted hair spray, flea market items, smoke bombs, toy guns, swords, sparklers or fireworks may be sold at the festival. These regulations are per the Darlington Police Dept. FUNNEL CAKES are to be sold exclusively by the Pilot Club of Darlington. No raffles or counterfeit items are permitted. Political handbills, flyers, posters, banners, stickers or other literature must be kept within assigned areas. This is a family festival. Vendors and employees/assistants must be properly attired at all items.

CLEANUP: Vendors must provide airtight containers for disposal of cooking oils, grease, and waste materials. Food vendors are responsible for removing this waste from the site. Trash cans will be provided for trash.

REMOVAL, NO REFUND POLICY, LIABILITY: Festival management has the right to remove vendors and employees/assistants who violate these rules. If a vendor is removed from the festival site, no refund will be issued. No rain date is scheduled for the festival. No refunds can be issued if the festival is canceled or delayed due to inclement weather. No refunds will be issued if the vendor does not participate in the festival. The Pilot Club of Darlington, the SC Sweet Potato Festival Committee, and the City and County of Darlington are in no way responsible or liable for personal adversity or acts of God.