Market Rules & Guidelines

All vendors are to review and adhere to the Port Austin Farmers Market Rules & Guidelines.

Payment, Attendance, & Cancelation

Vendor Booths, Displays, & Tents

Operating Hours & Booth Management

Breakdown, Loading, & Departure

Assignments & Maps

Warnings & Expulsion Policy

PAYMENT,
ATENDANCE, & CANCELLATION

Payment:

  • Market Vendor Fees are non-refundable. Exceptions may be made. 

  • Full and half season payments are to be paid in full by due date or will incur $30 late fee.

  • Seasonal vendors are given priorities for the same spot assignment when paying for the full or half season. This is not a guarantee. The Market Master reserves the right to make adjustments at any time. 

  • Weekly attendance must be confirmed, and payments made by noon on Tuesdays or will incur a $15 late fee. 

  • Weekly payment deadlines for holiday/special markets are subject to change.   

  • New vendors must submit a one time $15 New Vendor fee prior to attending the market.

  • Weekly new and irregular vendors are not guaranteed the same spot assignment/location. 

  • Last minute notifications on Thursday will not be accepted. 

Cancellation:

  • ALL vendors must provide at least 24 hour notice if unable to attend.

  • Refunds will not be issued for cancellations due to weather. 

  • Should the market experience multiple cancellation due to foul weather, vendors are to expect last minute changes to set up/spot assignment.

BOOTH ASSIGNMENTS
& MARKET MAPS

Booth Assignments:

  • Vendors are not guaranteed the same spot as previous years. Seasonal assignments are valid only for the current season.

  • Returning seasonal vendors may receive similar spot assignments, but changes may occur based on market needs.

  • Vendors may request multiple booths. Availability is NOT guaranteed.

  • Electrical sites are limited and not guaranteed. Priority is given to food vendors, sensitive times, and services that require power.

  • Generators are not permitted unless approved by the Market Master.

  • Market set up, spot assignments, and arrival times may vary during the season. Particularly on days with low attendance holiday weekends, or during foul weather.

  • Spot adjustments may be made during the market season to ensure a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing market layout. Changes will be communicated with affected vendors beforehand.

  • Market Master Discretion: The Market Master has full authority over vendor spot assignments at all times regardless of vendors payment status or attendance. 

Market Maps:

ARRIVAL, UNLOADING, PARKING,
& SETUP

Arrivals (5:30am-7:30am):

  • Vendors are to arrive at assigned time to reduce vehicle congestion.

  • Vendors must follow designated flow of traffic upon arrival.

  • Late vendors are to be considerate of neighbors and wait for opening to unload.

  • All vendors must arrive by 7:30am. 

  • Vendors that arrive after 7:30am may lose their spot or not be permitted to set up.

Unloading:

  • Upon arrival vendors are to UNLOAD ONLY! Do not set up tents, displays, or products.

  • Vendors should aim to unload vehicles within 15-20 minutes.

  • If more unloading time is needed, vendors may be assigned earlier arrival time. 

  • Vehicles MUST be removed from market grounds before setting up tents and displays.

Parking:

  • Vendors must move vehicles to designated parking BEFORE setting up booths or displays.

  • Vendors are required to park in designated vendor parking areas only. 

  • Street parking is strictly reserved for local residents, businesses and customers.

  • Vendors parked in no-parking zones will be asked to move immediately or risk being towed.

  • Vendors are to maximize parking spaces effectively.

  • All vehicles must be removed from marketed grounds by 7:45.

  • Vendors are to refer to parking maps for approved vendor parking areas.

Setup:

  • After unloading and parking vehicles, vendors may set up tents, displays, products.

  • All vendors are to be set up and ready to accept customers by 8:00am.

  • Products, tents, and displays must stay within assigned space to avoid obstructing walkways or neighboring vendors. 

  • Vendors will be charged additional fees for occupying extra space.

NOTE: The Market Master and volunteers are there to assist vendors, but may not always be available. Vendors are expected to complete the unloading process without additional help from our staff. Should you need special assistance, please notify the Market Master.

VENDOR BOOTHS,
DISPLAYS,
& TENTS

Booths:

  • Vendor booths are approx. 10x12 feet. 

  • Extended middle booths in the south lot are subject to additional fees. 

  • Vendors WILL be charged additional fees for occupying extra space.

  • ALL operations must occur within assigned vendor space.

Displays: 

  • Products and displays must not block aisle walkways, sidewalks, or neighboring vendors.

  • Flags and banners require Market Master approval.

  • Flags and banners that pose a hazard on windy days may not be used.

Tents:

  • Tents must not exceed vendor space.

  • Vendors supply their own tents, tables, weights, and foul-weather gear.

  • Vendors MUST come prepared with foul-weather gear to EVERY MARKET (tent/table weights and covers, etc.)

  • Stakes and tent sides are not permitted.

  • Tent sides may be allowed by Market Master in bad weather or for product safety/stability.

  • The Port Austin Farmers Market is not liable for damage to merchandise or property due to weather or other factors.

OPERATING HOURS & BOOTH MANAGEMENT

Operating Hours (8:00am-1:00pm):

  • All vendors must be fully set up by 8:00 AM and remain open for business until 1:00pm.

  • Vendors are NOT to pack up or break down prior to 1:00pm.

  • Vendors are required to stay for the entire market.

  • Vendors that pack up and leave during the market will not be permitted to return.

Booth Management:

  • Vendors are not to leave booths unattended.

  • If you need to step away, ask a neighboring vendor for assistance.

  • Booths must be kept neat, presentable, and clean of trash at all times. 

  • Vendors are responsible for removing all trash and debris.

  • If sold out, vendors are asked to display a “Sold Out” sign. You may leave your booth but must remain set up until 1:00pm.

  • Vendors are asked to avoid using farmers market trash cans, especially on holiday weekends.

BREAKDOWN, LOADING, & DEPARTURE

Breakdown:

  • Vendors may only begin breakdown at 1:00pm, after the market concludes.

  • Packing up early discourages potential sales for you AND your neighboring vendors.

  • Vendors are to practice efficiency during breakdown & loading to help avoid traffic congestion and delays.

  • Stay attentive to late-arriving customers to promote your brand, even if sold out.

Barricades:

  • Barricades are lifted by the Market Master, typical by 1:15pm.

  • ONLY the Market Master or volunteers may remove barricades.

  • Barricades may stay in place until 1:30 PM on busy or holiday market days.

  • Under special circumstances, barricades may be removed earlier, but never before 1:00pm.

  • Vehicles are NOT PERMITTED on market grounds until barricades are officially removed.

Loading & Departure:

  • Vendors MUST fully break down booths BEFORE bringing in vehicles.

  • Vehicles may be brought onto market grounds ONLY when ready for loading. 

  • Vehicles are not to block entrances/exits or aisleways.

  • Patience and caution are required during busy loading periods, especially on holiday weekends.

VEHICLE AWARENESS POLICY

VENDORS ARE TO SAFELY OPERATE VEHICLES AND STAY AWARE OF PEDESTRIANS ON MARKET GROUNDS AND WITHIN THE VILLAGE OF PORT AUSTIN AT ALL TIMES.

  • Vendors are to exercise caution on market grounds AND within the Village of Port Austin when arriving and departing.

  • Arrival and departure times can be very busy. Be patient and avoid rushing.

  • Vendors are not block parking lot entrances during unloading and loading.

  • Reckless driving may result in suspension from the market.

WEATHER POLICY

Rain or Shine Market: 

  • Vendors attending in foul weather do so at their own risk and are expected to remain for the entire market.

  • Vendors who cancel due to weather will not receive a refund.

  • Stay informed about weather updates and market announcements.

  • In foul weather, set up and rules may be adjusted at the discretion of the Market Master.

Severe Weather:

  • In cases of severe weather the Market Master will decide if the market should be canceled.

  • Cancellations will be announced on the public Facebook page and private vendor group. 

  • Should severe weather force a cancellation, the Port Austin Farmers Market is not responsible or liable for vendor product losses.

CODE OF CONDUCT & GENERAL RULES

Vendors are required to adhere to the Port Austin Farmers Market Code of Conduct. Should this code be broken, vendors risk suspension or expulsion from the farmers market.

  • Vendors are to abide by all Market Rules and Guidelines.

  • Any behavior to negatively affect market morale among vendors will not be tolerated.

  • Appropriate language is to be used at all times during the market.

  • Vendors will be respectful and pleasant with all other vendors and customers. 

  • Disrespectful behavior towards volunteers will not be tolerated. 

  • Conflict, threats, and/or bullying between vendors or customers is strictly prohibited.

  • Absolutely no heckling of customers. 

  • NO SMOKING on market grounds at ANY time. 

  • The solicitation of customers and/ or collections jars for fundraising is not permitted. 

  • Items with swear words or vulgar content are not permitted. Up to the Market Masters discretion on if acceptable. 

  • Pets are NOT allowed in the market during designated market times. 

  • Should an issue arise, please notify Market Master immediately so the situation can be promptly settled. 

  • Any issue or conflict shall be resolved in a respectful manner and at an appropriate time.

  • Communication on any issue or conflict shall be conducted between the contracted vendor and the Market Master. The Market Master is not obligated to address market operations/vendor related issues with non-contracted individuals.

WARNINGS AND EXPULSION POLICY

  • Vendors will receive three warnings for violations of the Market Rules and Guidelines.

  • Third warning: The vendor may receive suspension from the market. Continued participation will be subject to review by the Market Master and the Greater Port Austin Area Chamber of Commerce. The decision will be based on the severity and nature of the infractions, as well as the vendor’s overall adherence to the market rules.

  • Fourth warning: The vendor will be permanently removed from the market for the remainder of the season. Reapplication for future seasons will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

  • Serious offenses: Threatening behavior, physical altercations, negligence, or significant safety violations, will result in immediate expulsion without prior warnings.

  • Appeals: Vendors may request a meeting with the Market Master to discuss warnings or expulsion. Appeals must be submitted in writing within seven days of the action.

  • Communication: All warnings and decisions will be documented and communicated clearly to the vendor.