Party on the Plaza - Retail Vendor

The Party on the Plaza Event is a downtown community event that combines food, LIVE music, shopping, adult beverages, and gathering together with friends and neighbors. The live music helps create a festive atmosphere and will have you tapping your toes & maybe even doing a bit of dancing!

WHEN:   Saturday, June 4, August 6 & October 1, 2022

WHERE: Whistle Stop Plaza, 16 E. Main St, Ephrata, PA 17522

TIME:       4:30 pm - 8:00 pm

JOIN US at this FUN community event! [NOTE: NO Commercial or Business Exhibitors]

This event firmly established itself in the community in 2017, attracting hundreds of attendees at each event. In the past few years (except for 2020), we saw significant growth on both the vendor & attendee fronts, and we are excited to see what 2022 will bring! We also have a robust marketing and advertising program planned to draw even larger crowds this year.

Food Trucks and food stands are also a mainstay of the Party on the Plaza event. This event is family-friendly. Must be 21+ to enjoy an Adult Beverage (bring your ID... we will be checking them before you enter & give you a wristband. We have a 100% ID-ing policy, with NO exceptions.)

RETAIL VENDOR FAQs:

How much does booth space cost?

• Retail Vendor pricing is $50/month for non-refundable booth space

• In the case of inclement weather, the event will be canceled.  You will receive a refund for the event if we have to cancel.

What comes with my registration?

• Vendors are given the space allotted to them that includes one (1) 8-foot table, and 1 folding chair. We try to get power as close as possible to each stand but request that you bring a 50-foot power cord and a power strip just in case.  Please let us know if you will require electricity.

• CHANGE FOR THIS YEAR: You will need to provide your own tent if you would like one.

• There is no discount for refusing the table & chairs that come with your stand, but we appreciate the heads-up that you won’t need them since it saves us the trouble of setting them up for you.

What about the weather?

• The event will be held outdoors, weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be canceled.

• We will begin communicating with vendors as soon as we’re aware there’s a potential we’ll need to cancel the event.  We will make our decision about canceling by 10 am on the morning of the event.

• You will receive an email notification about the cancellation.

When can I set up?

• Set up begins at 2 pm on the day of the event (please don’t arrive early… we’ll be busy getting ready for you!). Check-in with the Event Manager (person with a clipboard!) to find out your assigned booth location. The event runs from 4:30 pm – 8 pm. Your area should be completely cleaned up by no later than 9 pm.

What if I need to cancel?

• Any cancellations must be given in writing and either postmarked or emailed no later than one full month before the event you’re unable to attend.   Any cancellations after that will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the organizers to CONSIDER a partial refund.

What if a vendor is a “no show”?

• In most cases, not showing up without contacting the organizer impacts the market, other vendors & customers in a negative way.

  • You will forfeit your vendor fee for that event.
  • We recognize that there are some crazy-emergency situations where you’re unlikely to think about calling us to let us know you won’t be attending the market. Those are RARE occasions and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. With all no-shows, we’ll have a heart-to-heart with the vendor to determine whether to give them another chance. Two no-shows will void all future registrations with no refund.

Can I break down early?

• Breaking down early is not permitted unless we close down the market early for a weather emergency or some exception is agreed upon by the organizer IN ADVANCE (Do NOT ask for this exception the day of the event!)

What communications should I expect from the Party on the Plaza Organizers?

The following is a list of important communications you can expect from us. If you have not received them, it is your responsibility to contact us and let us know as your email may be filtered. We cannot be held responsible for any important information you may have missed that was made available.

• Registration Confirmation Email (Immediately after registration)

• Market Reminder and a recap of set up instructions (Monday or Tuesday before the event)

• Weather-related communications: as needed up to the event.

Are there any restrictions on products for sale or types of companies you’ll accept?

• We do not allow the sale of weapons of any kind.

• The sale of sexually explicit or offensive materials will not be allowed (the event organizer is the arbiter of what’s “offensive” – i.e. – we know it when we see it!)

• Any vendors who behave in an offensive, unprofessional or unkind manner will be asked to leave and barred from participating in future markets.

After I set up, where can I safely park?

• The parking lot beside the Reformed Presbyterian Church: 21 E. Locust St.

• The parking lot behind Bethany United Church: 140 E. Main Street

• The parking lot behind Ephrata National Bank: 31 E. Main Street

Who should I contact in case of an emergency?

• Lisa Willwerth – Office: 717-721-6196 Cell: 717-271-1283 Email: lisa@mainspringofephrata.org