Gaston MAX Vendor Application

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.

By signing the vendor application, you agree to all rules and regulations outlined in the Event Policy document and on the vendor application. 

Hold Harmless Clause and Insurance

All authorized vendors participating in the Event shall be individually and severally responsible to the City of Gastonia for any loss, bodily or personal injury, deaths, and/or property damage that may occur as a result of the vendor"s negligence or that of its servants, agents, and employees. All vendors hereby agree to indemnify and save the City of Gastonia, its officers, and employees harmless from any loss, cost, damages, and other expenses, including attorney"s fees, suffered or incurred by reason of the vendors" negligence or that of its servants, agents and employees; provided that the vendors shall not be responsible nor required to indemnify the City of Gastonia for negligence of its officers or employees. No insurance is provided by the City of Gastonia to participants in the Event. Participating vendors will be required to provide a signature in acknowledgement of this clause on the vendor application.