Gaston MAX (Multicultural Arts Xperience) is taking place on March 22 from 11:00AM - 3:00PM at the Rotary Pavilion in downtown Gastonia. The City of Gastonia, Gaston County Public Library, Friends of the Gaston County Public Library, and Gaston County Government are partnering to celebrate the wide variety of cultures living in Gaston County and to showcase artists, authors, and entertainers. 

Please read the below information thoroughly prior to filling out the application.

Please review the attached event vendor policy for a complete list of rules, regulations and vendor allowances.  If you are interested in becoming a vendor for the marketplace, please fill out the below application. 

Application deadline: February 10, 2025

This is an electronic agreement and by signing, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically. Payment will be charged to card after application is approved. 

Vendors should be artisan, craft vendors or vendors providing services to local residents (ex. nonprofits.) Companies that are selling their products or services (gutter sales, foundation, vacation planners, etc.) will not be accepted.

Vendor and power spots are limited.  Once all vendor spots are filled, waitlisted applicants will still be accepted through the deadline date. If you apply and more spots become available or another vendor cancels, the event organizer will contact waitlisted applications in the order they were received to confirm availability and then approve the application. 

Vendor fees:

• Downtown Gastonia businesses: free (contact event organizer for discount code)
• Marketplace vendors: $25 vendor fee
• Power: $15 fee
• Vendor fee is waived if booth will have a game, craft or activity from a different country.
• No food truck, food cart, or food trailer vendors are accepted under this application. Please view Gaston MAX Food Truck/Trailer Application to apply as a food truck or food trailer that offers international cuisine. 

Vendor Guidelines and Information:

• All vendors will be allowed to display their goods on 3/22/25 from 11:00AM to 3:00PM.
• Please see attached Event Vendor Policy for a list of all regulations and rules.
• Booth set up/break down information:
  • Individual vendor booth area is 10ft x 10ft.
  • Vendors will be set up in the Rotary Pavilion parking lots. 
    • You will be able to pull one vehicle up to your spot at a time and unload. As soon as you unload, you need to move your car to a parking lot nearby (parking lot on 321 or lot between S. South St. and 321.)
    • Vendors are responsible for providing their own table(s), chair(s), and tent.
      • Tents must not exceed 10ft x 10ft and they must be secured with tent weights or sandbags. 
  • Only space is provided. If you need power (one outlet), the extra fee is $15. 
  • Do not block private drives, entrances, or doors. Be respectful of private property.
  • Booth set up will at 9:00 AM. A final, confirmed time will be sent out at least two weeks prior to the event.
  • Booth breakdown is no earlier than 3:00PM and must be completed no later than 4:00PM.
    • You will not be able to bring any vehicles into the pavilion parking lots until the crowds have cleared.
  • It is the responsibility of the vendor to keep the booth and surrounding area clean. Each vendor shall leave the area in the same condition as it was found.
• Vendor booths serving food:
  • We are only accepting vendor booths serving international food. 
  • Vendor booths may not grill or smoke any food. 
  • Vendors serving food out of their booths will have to fill out a Temporary Food Establishment permit with Gaston County. This will be sent to the applicant upon approval. If the applicant has filled out this permit in the past, or has exempt food, the application still needs to be completed but the applicant will not have to pay Gaston County the $75 fee. If a permit is needed, the applicant will need to pay Gaston County $75 for the permit.
  • Vendors are required to adhere to all applicable laws and provisions established by North Carolina, Gaston County Health Department, and the City of Gastonia Police and Fire Departments. Vendors shall adhere to all federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations applicable to its business.
• All vendor activities must be suitable for a family event. Offensive materials, ads, or public displays will be removed and participation refused.
• The site map, set up information and timeline will be sent via Eventeny at least two weeks prior to the event.

Gaston MAX (Multicultural Arts Xperience) is taking place on March 22 from 11:00AM - 3:00PM at the Rotary Pavilion in downtown Gastonia. The City of Gastonia, Gaston County Public Library, Friends of the Gaston County Public Library, and Gaston County Government are partnering to celebrate the wide variety of cultures living in Gaston County and to showcase artists, authors, and entertainers. 

Please read the below information thoroughly prior to filling out the application. We are only accepting food trucks offering international cuisine (ex. Japanese, Cuban, Greek, Peruvian, Italian, etc.) 

Please review the attached event vendor policy for a complete list of rules, regulations and vendor allowances.  If you are interested in becoming a vendor for the marketplace, please fill out the below application. 

Application deadline: February 10, 2025

This is an electronic agreement and by signing, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically. Payment will be charged to card after application is approved. 

Vendor spots are limited. Once all spots are filled, waitlisted applicants will still be accepted through the deadline date. If you apply and more spots become available or another vendor cancels, the event organizer will contact waitlisted applications in the order they were received to confirm availability and then approve the application. 

If you are interested in becoming a vendor for the marketplace, please fill out the below application.

-  Food vendor fee: $35 

Vendor fee is waived if booth will have a game, craft or activity from a different country.

Food Vendor Information:

• At this time, only food trucks and trailers are accepted that are serving international food.
• Food Truck set up/break down information:
  • Food trucks must supply their own generator. 
  • Food trucks will be set up in one of the Rotary Pavilion parking lots.
  • Food truck set up is at 9:00 AM. A final, confirmed time will be sent out at least two weeks prior to the event.
  • Food truck breakdown is no earlier than 3:00PM and must be completed no later than 4:00PM.
    • You will not be able to bring any additional vehicles into the Rotary Pavilion parking lots or have the food truck leave the pavilion parking lots until the crowds have cleared.
  • Food vendors must provide properly rated fire extinguishers.
  • It is the responsibility of the vendor to keep the booth and surrounding area clean. Each vendor shall leave the area in the same condition as it was found.
  • A final packet going over these regulations and procedures will be sent to the point of contact listed on the application within two weeks before the event.  The packet will also include a site map, timeline, and set up and breakdown information.
• Health/Permit information:
  • Food vendors must adhere to the regulations set by the Health Department
  • If applicable, a copy of the Gaston County Health Department permit must be uploaded in this application.
    • Vendors are required to adhere to all applicable laws and provisions established by North Carolina, Gaston County Health Department, and the City of Gastonia Police and Fire Departments. Vendors shall adhere to all federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations applicable to its business. 
  • Upon approval, the City Event Planner will send the applicant a Gaston County Temporary Food Establishment permit to fill out. If the applicant has filled out this permit in the past, or has exempt food, the application still needs to be completed but the applicant will not have to pay Gaston County the $75 fee. If a permit is needed, the applicant will need to pay Gaston County $75 for the permit.
  • All vendor activities must be suitable for a family event. Offensive materials, ads, or public displays will be removed and participation refused.
  • The site map, set up information and timeline will be sent via Eventeny at least two weeks prior to the event.