Vendor and Artist Booth Information

Japanese Fall Festival
Friday-Sunday, September 6-8, 2024

The Japanese Fall Festival is a celebration of authentic Japanese culture in the beautiful Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden located within the extraordinary Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park. More than 15,000 people attended the event in 2023.

PRIORITY APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Friday, July 12, 2024

If space allows, applications will continue to be accepted through Friday, August 9, 2024.

VENDOR FEES:

Fees include a supporting level SSCA membership and benefits, a 10×10 tent, one table, and two chairs.

  • Partner Organization (12×12 space): please contact for pricing
  • Information Booth (12’x12′ space): please contact for pricing
  • Retail Booth (12’x12′ space): $250
  • Food Booth (12’x24′ space): $400

There is no fee to apply. Applications are reviewed by a committee; if accepted, vendors will be contacted to complete payment of applicable fees.

ELIGIBILITY:

Space is limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to those that are:

  1. authentic to Japanese culture and tradition;
  2. authentic to Japanese gardening/landscaping practices;
  3. not in direct competition with items available in the souvenir market.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Set up must be complete by Friday at 3 p.m. Springfield-Greene County Park Board staff will be on hand beginning on Thursday at 8 a.m. to assist with set up of large items. Other than food trucks/trailers, non-park vehicles are not permitted within the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden.
  • The Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden is locked each evening. Additionally, security is provided beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday continuing each overnight until Monday morning at 7 a.m. Sister Cities and/or the Park Board is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
  • Booths must remain in operation from 5 p.m. to dusk on Friday; 11 a.m. to dusk on Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Booths may only close for inclement weather if the festival as a whole closes.
  • Breakdown begins no sooner than 6 p.m. on Sunday, though it is preferable that vendors break down on Monday. Park Board staff will be on hand to assist vendors with large items.
  • Vendors’ displays may not protrude more than eight feet from their assigned space, and they may not come within five feet of foot paths.
  • Trash cans are provided. Vendor areas must be clean at all times.
  • Follow instructions for vendor parking.
  • Food and retail vendors are required to carry a City of Springfield business license. It is the vendor’s responsibility to acquire the appropriate business license in advance of the festival. Please contact the Springfield License Division with questions: 417-864-1617 or licensing@springfieldmo.gov.
  • Food and retail vendors are responsible for collecting and paying sales tax and reporting to the IRS.
  • Food vendors are required to carry a Health Department food permit. It is the vendor’s responsibility to acquire the appropriate food permit no later than 10 days prior to the festival. Please contact the Springfield-Greene County Health Department with questions: 417-864-1658.

CHECKLIST:

QUESTIONS:

Please contact us if you have any questions. We are more than happy to assist you, and we look forward to working with you on this event!

Vendor and Artist Booth Application