Become a Vendor
Food Vendor Rules and Regulations
W.C. Handy Blues and Barbecue Festival
June 17–20, 2026
1.An application is a commitment, and no refunds will be made for cancellations. Refunds will be made to vendors who are not accepted. DEADLINE for receipt of application is April 14, 2026. An application is included with these rules and regulations and should be mailed to: Henderson Musical Preservation Society, inc. Mauricia Cravens, 226 S. Water St., Henderson, KY 42420
2. Payment must be made WITH THE APPLICATION. Checks should be made payable to the Henderson Musical Preservation Society (HMPS). They will not be deposited until May 15, 2026.
3. WITH THE APPLICATION, a certificate of insurance for a minimum of $1,000,000 liability coverage. (Original from Insurance Company. No photocopies accepted.)
4. Booths are suggested to be set up the evening of Thursday, June 18th All booths must be set up by 9am Friday morning, and open for business by 11am on Friday, June 19 and by 10am Saturday, June 20th, 2026. Tear down will be permitted to begin at the close of the festival at 10pm on Saturday, June 20th, or before noon Sunday, June 21, 2026. (NO SECURITY FOR SATURDAY NIGHT)
5. Each booth must comply with the rules of the Henderson County Department of Health, The Kentucky Fire Prevention Code, and the Kentucky Building Codes. The Henderson Musical Preservation Society, Inc. reserves the right to close down an operator’s concession if it is not operated in accordance with the rules and regulations herein, or if said operations violate city ordinances or are otherwise objectionable to the purposes and goals of the Henderson Musical Preservation Society, Inc. Regulations will be mailed to all accepted vendors.
6. A selection committee chooses food vendors. Local vendors and past participants are given priority. However, the main consideration is variety of foods. Vendors will be limited to serving only those menu items listed on the application. The selection committee may request that you add or delete menu items. New vendors required to provide photos of your booth. Acceptance and rejection letters will be mailed no later than May 1st, 2026.
7. All services are single phase only. If specifications differ, please state them on application form.
ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS___________________________________________________________________
| 0-20 AMPS | $20 (ONE 110 PLUG) |
| 30-50 AMPS | $50 |
| 51-100 AMPS | $100 |
Any additional electrical not initially specified will be charged a $100 service fee which must be paid before the vendor will be allowed to hook-up.
8. A booth is defined as being the total street front space needed to conduct business. The standard charge for each booth will be $42 per street front used to conduct business. Overhang of signs and tongue to be included in the calculations of footage. The minimum charge is $420 for commercial vendors.
9. A $300 refundable deposit is required for ensuring your space is cleaned-up and trash is put in the dumpster. Please write a separate check for this deposit so that it may be returned to you
10. If extended beyond your purchased space all addition space shall and will be charged per foot.
11. ABSOLUTELY no drink sales will be allowed on Wednesday or Thursday evening by vendors. NO EXCEPTIONS.
12. New this year, ice will be pay as you get it. please pay for your ice at the W.C Handy drink trailer located in front of On Deck.
13. Trash, trash, trash, GET IT TO THE DUMPSTER!!!!!!..If the dumpster is full, leave on ground beside it!!!!!! Do not leave it on the street, or in trash cans!!!!
APPLICATIONS WILL BE RETURNED UPON RECEIPT IF PAYMENT AND CERTIFICATION OF INSURANCE ARE NOT INCLUDED.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: MAURICIA CRAVENS (270)823-2774 OR EMAIL: mbcravens68@gmail.com
W.C. Handy Blues and Barbecue Festival
Food Vendor Registration Form
June 17–20, 2026
BOOTH NAME:______________________________________________________________________________________
CONTACT PERSON:___________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS:__________________________________________________________________________________________
PHONE:______________________________
EMAIL:_______________________________
LIST OR ATTACH MENU ITEMS AND COST:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO YOU REQUIRE WATER HOOK-UP? ____YES ____NO
CIRCLE YOUR VOLTAGE REQUIREMENTS: 110 220
NUMBER OF AMPS______________ = $______________
BOOTH SIZE (FT)________________ = $______________ ($42 PER STREET FOOT TO CONDUCT BUSINESS)
CLEANING DEPOSIT $300 *WILL BE REFUNDED IF SPACE IS LEFT CLEAN*
PLEASE WRITE SEPARATE CHECK FOR DEPOSIT
TOTAL = $______________ SUPPLY TRUCK NEED ELECTRIC: _____YES _____NO
I HEREBY RELEASE AND AGREE TO SAVE HARMLESS THE HENDERSON MUSICAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY, INC., DBA W.C. HANDY BLUES & BARBECUE FESTIVAL FROM AND AGAINST ANY CLAIMS, LIABILITIES, DAMAGE, THEFT, OR INJURY ARISING FROM THE OPERATION OF MY CONCESSION AT THE W.C. HANDY BLUES & BARBECUE FESTIVAL. I HAVE READ THE RULES & REGULATIONS AND AGREE TO COMPLY WITH EACH OF THEM OR FORFEIT THE RIGHT TO OPERATE A CONCESSION BOOTH AT THIS EVENT.
________________________________________________ ______________________________
FOOD VENDOR’S SIGNATURE DATE
DEADLINE: APRIL 17, 2026
MAIL TO: HENDERSON MUSICAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY, INC
MAURICIA CRAVENS
226 S. WATER ST.
HENDERSON, KY 42420