Event Food Vendor Application

Application Deadlines and Information:

The City of Oshawa will make available spaces for food vendors at the following events:

• Peony Festival: Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8, 2025, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens
• Indigenous Cultural Celebration: Saturday, May 31, 2025, Time to be confirmed, Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park
• Canada Day: Tuesday, July 1, 2025, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Lakeview Park
• The Bright and Merry Market: Friday, November 14, 2025, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Downtown Oshawa, Centre St. S.

All events are outdoors, come prepared for the weather.

Food vendors who require power must have their own whisper-quiet generators.

Lights are highly recommended for Canada Day and Bright and Merry Market events as they are evening events.

The City of Oshawa reserves the right to limit the number of vendors dealing in sales of similar products. 

Application deadline:

• Peony Festival: Sunday, April 6, 2025
• Indigenous Cultural Celebration: Thursday, May 1, 2025
• Canada Day: Sunday, April 6, 2025
• The Bright and Merry Market: Sunday, September 14, 2025

Applications will be reviewed on an individual basis after these dates. The City of Oshawa further reserves the right to select and approve all products for sale, exhibition or promotion at their events.

 Preference will be given to:

• Vendors that have a business or home address in Durham Region
• Good quality, well-priced items
• Vendors in good standing from previous events
• Applicants who incorporate green initiatives

Application Details:

• Vendors must be aware that event parameters may change due to provincial and/or health regulations.
• The issuance of a contract/permit is entirely at the discretion of the Business and Economic Development Services Department.
• The Business and Economic Development Services Department reserves the right to cancel any contract temporarily or permanently as the need arises.
• All submissions are subject to a selection process. There are a limited number of spaces available for each event.
• A menu with a price list must be submitted with application.
• Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Vendors must provide their own insurance. If you do not currently carry insurance for your business, please contact us:  [email protected]
• Only approved food vendors are permitted to sell food.
• Vendors will be highlighted and promoted through City of Oshawa social media channels once all documentation is received.
• Each vendor is expected to share they are a vendor on social media, as well as share City of Oshawa festival media through cross promotion, and a social media kit will be provided to vendors.
• Lot sizes will be assigned based on booth and vehicle requirements, and venue capacity.
• The location of each vendor will be determined by the City of Oshawa.
• Vehicles/Booths must have a clean, attractive and professional appearance
• For booths, motorized vehicles are restricted to set up and takedown time at the Peony Festival and the Bright and Merry Market events.
• Upon selection, food vendors are required to participate in the full operating event hours, including events that occur over more than one day unless otherwise arranged.

Licensing Requirements:

• Certificate of insurance for $2,000,000 liability naming the City of Oshawa as an additional insured must be obtained if selected to participate.
• Food trucks require a refreshment vehicle license.
• Food booths that prepare, heat and serve food may require a Class A food shop license.
• To confirm licensing requirements in the City of Oshawa, please contact [email protected].
• Upon selection, a Durham Health Food Vendor Application will be provided and required to be sent to Durham Health, Licensing and Events.

Set-up and Take-down:

• Vendors must come self-sufficient (tables, chairs, etc.), and are required to do their own setup and take down.
• Booth vendors must provide weights for tents, staking is not permitted.
• All vendors will be provided with setup and takedown information prior to the event, including timelines. 
• Late arrivals may not be accommodated.
• Signage must be confined to the inside of your booth.

Fees/Cancellations

• Vendor fees to participate in City-run events are waived for 2025. Other licensing fees may apply. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
• To maintain a favourable standing with The City of Oshawa, vendors are kindly requested to provide a minimum of four weeks notice in the event of cancellation of their participation in any scheduled events.

If you have further questions or concerns, contact: [email protected]