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2024 Vendor Information, Policies, and Rules

 

 Be sure to read all the vendor information before registering.

                        Submitting a vendor application binds all vendors to these policies and rules:                                                                                                                            

  • Gulf Coast Equality Fest will take place on October 19, 2024, on Harrah’s Great Lawn at Harrah’s Gulf Coast in Biloxi from 11 AM to 5 PM.                                                                                                                         

  • In 2023 the public attendance at the event was 1,500 people.                                                                                                                                                                                                    

  • ​Space will be available for both nonprofit and for-profit vendors. A “vendor” is any organization or business participating in Gulf Coast Equality Fest regardless of nonprofit status, type of merchandise, or method of participation.                                                                                                                    

  • All vendor applications are subject to approval.                                                                                                                                                                 

  • Vendor spots are available for up to one hundred vendors.                                                                                                                                                             

  • Booth spaces are available in 10 x 10 and 10 x 20 sizes.                                                                                                                                                            

  • Vendors must provide their own tables, chairs, canopies, and tents.                                                                                                                                                                        

  • Since Harrah's Great Lawn is located on the beach front, we suggest all vendors bring sandbags, weights, or bricks to tie down their canopies in the event of windy weather.                                                                                                                                                                                     

  • Tent stakes are not allowed to be used due to the sprinkler system on The Great Lawn. If a vendor damages the sprinkler system by not following this direction, they will be responsible for all repair costs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

  • The deadline for receipt of all vendor applications is September 30, 2024.                                                                                                                  

  • No vendor cancellation refunds will be issued after September 30, 2024.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

  • Portable generators are not allowed on the festival grounds.                                                                                                                                                                  

  • If needed, electricity is available and there is an additional service charge for its use. All vendors are responsible for bringing electrical cords to plug into the electrical system. Electricity is limited to one standard plug per vendor.                                                                                            

  • Vendor spots will be laid out, numbered, and marked. You will be assigned a numbered spot when arriving to set up for the day. Vendors are only to set up in their assigned space. If a vendor would like to be next to another vendor, be sure to arrive at the same time to register.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

  • Gulf Coast Equality Fest does not guarantee the exclusive rights to sell any product. If you have any questions about selling merchandise, please email us before registering.                                                                                                                                                                                                          

  • Gulf Coast Equality Fest is a family friendly event.                                                                                                                                                                    

  • The following items are not allowed to be sold or displayed by vendors at the festival: political items, adult content, items with gore or violence, items containing profanity, items promoting hate or intolerance, the sale of prescription drugs or illegal drugs, or any hazardous substances.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

  • Booth set up starts at 8 AM for regular vendors and 7 AM for food vendors. Set up must be completed by the festival opening time of 11 AM. Check-in instruction will be emailed out the week before the event to all vendors.                                                                                                                                                                                                      

  • Vendors can only drive onto The Great Lawn and park in designated areas for unloading and unloading. This is per Harrah's Gulf Coast rules. Security will be one hand to direct traffic during unloading and check-in. They will also be there for loading at the end of the festival. Please follow their instructions. No cars or trucks are allowed in the festival event area at anytime.                                                                                                                                                                                                      

  • Be sure to bring wagons, dolly's, utility carts, etc. to help carry merchandise from your car or truck to the booth location. Vendors will not be able to park by their vendor spot location as listed above.                                                                                                                                                                                  

  • Gulf Coast Equality Fest will have volunteers during the vendor check-in to help with the unloading of your cars and trucks. Volunteers will be limited and are only available for this service. They are not able to set up booths, work booths, run errands, or drive any cars or trucks during the event. If additional assistance is required, be sure to bring extra help to assist you.                                                                                                                                                                             

  • Please be advised that the media may come to the event and is responsible for its own releases.                                                                                                                                                                                 

  • Vendors will follow all federal and state laws as well as all city ordinances.                                                                                                                                 

  • Food vendors must be self-sufficient, clean up when done, follow all health codes, and obtain any required permits from the City of Biloxi, Harrison County, and the State of Mississippi.                                                                                                                                                                              

  • No vendors may sell any alcohol related products. Harrah’s Gulf Coast will be selling alcohol exclusively.                                                                                                                                                             

  • Vendors will stay for the duration of the event. Failure to do so may result in denial of future booth applications.                                                  

  • Tear down may start when the last act performs in our entertainment lineup. Cars or trucks are not allowed in the festival event area. Security will direct traffic again for vendors entering the lawn.                                                                                                                                                      

  • All vendors must clean up any trash they have before leaving and deposit it in the provided trash cans. Vendors are asked to “police” their area during the day. It is critical that we leave The Great Lawn area we use in super clean condition and not damaged.                                                                                                                                                  

  • We encourage all vendors to think of creative ways to engage festival participants. Interactive displays, demonstrations, and other engaging activities are invited. Be creative and have fun.                                                                                                                                                               

  • As a courtesy to our vendors and festival guests, loud noises or amplified sound from any vendor booth is prohibited.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

  • Vendors may not sell any item with the logo, wording, or slogans of Gulf Coast Equality or Gulf Coast Equality Fest without written permission from the organization.                                                                                                                                                                                                    

  • Vendors are not allowed to sublet any part of their vendor space without the written permission of Gulf Coast Equality Fest.                                                                                                                                                                    

  • Gulf Coast Equality makes no guarantees towards any festival attendance numbers.                                                                                                                    

  • All vendors are responsible for collecting Mississippi sales tax (7 percent) by the State of Mississippi. You will receive the tax form at vendor check-in to fill out. This form will need to be turned in, along with your taxes, to a Gulf Coast Equality Fest staff member at our booth before leaving. Gulf Coast Equality Fest will turn in a complete list of all vendors at the festival to The Mississippi Department of Revenue along with the paid taxes. If paying by check, it must be made out to Gulf Coast Equality Fest. Any questions about sales taxes, please contact the Mississippi Department of Revenue.                                                                                                                                                                                                               

  • Gulf Coast Equality Fest reserves the right to make changes at any time as deemed necessary. Any changes will be emailed to vendors. Any questions you may have about the festival, vendors, rules, or policies, please drop up an email or message on our website and we will be happy to help you. 

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