On-Site FOOD VENDING
at the Watch City Steampunk Festival

ON-SITE FOOD VENDING is a separate process from the artisan/craft vendors (the exception being non-service, gift-style foods such as artisan candies, teas, packaged condiments, etc., not specifically designed to be consumed on-site).

For food service vendors, we have a limited number of places on the Common for food booths and push carts, and for select food trucks to be positioned on Carter Street, adjacent to the Waltham Common. 

We begin considering food vendors after the first of January each year. However, please feel free to contact us at our email: vendors@watchcityfestival.com with the subject line, “On-Site Food Vendor Inquiry.”

A NOTE:
to Those Seeking to Vend Hot Dogs and Hamburgers

We have many food vendors contacting us with the desire to vend the festival staples hot dogs and hamburgers. It should be noted that, as a Waltham Community-centric event, we have a long-standing relationship with several Waltham charitable organizations who sell those food items as fundraising.

Please understand that, until this situation changes, we will not be considering vendors seeking to include these specific items on their menus as part of their Festival vending.

If you normally include hot dogs or burgers along with other items, it is acceptable to serve the rest of your menu if you strike those items for the day.

Permits and Other Legal Requirements

Any and all food vendors, no matter if they are selling packaged food or serving food for consumption, must be approved and permitted by the Waltham Health Department.

The number for the Waltham Health Department is:
781-314-3305

In addition, any vendors using propane on site are required to submit their equipment or vehicles for inspection by the Waltham Fire Department.

You may also be asked to submit event insurance documents, among other possible requirements which will be confirmed in the final months before the Festival.

Arrival and Operation on Festival Day - The Basics

FOOD TRUCKS: 
Food vendors with truck/vehicle service will be grouped together on Carter Street, which will be closed to regular traffic for the duration of the Festival, at the Southern foot of the main Festival grounds on Waltham Common. The added advantage of this location is that it adjacent to Waltham’s Commuter Rail station. Mobile truck food vendors need to be able to arrive by 10 AM (the official start time of the festival), and be ready to serve patrons no later than 11 AM. Food truck vendors may leave when their inventories are exhausted, or at 5:00 PM (the official end time of the Festival), whichever comes first

ON-THE-COMMON FOOD VENDORS: 
This applies to all tented/booth vendors and to all pushcart vendors. These vendors are required to be able to arrive by 9 AM, be ready to serve no later than 11 AM, and stay through the full duration of the Festival (10 AM - 5 PM). 

All On-The-Common Food Vendors will be assigned specific spaces on the grounds.

NOTE: Absolutely NO motor vehicles and NO staking of tents are allowed on the Common by order of the Mayor. Any tents must be sufficiently weighted (45lbs per leg) for safety. 

Additional information will be provided as the Festival date approaches.
PLEASE REVISIT OUR VENDOR FAQ IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
or email us

Watch City Steampunk Festival CODE OF CONDUCT

All vendors will be required to abide by our Code of Conduct.

We ask that you be considerate and respectful of all Festival attendees, fellow vendors, performers and staff. Please refrain from use of obscenities or foul language, as this is a family-friendly event. Please respect the requests of Festival staff and supervisors, and representatives of the City of Waltham, especially the Waltham Police and Fire Department.

Additionally, we expect that all products and trade practices conform to all federal, state, and local laws and legal requirements and all requirements and restrictions of the Watch City Steampunk Festival.