15th Annual Brighton’s Smokin’ Jazz & Barbecue Blues Festival

Contracted Food Vendor Information

September 11 & 12, 2020 FRIDAY, SEPT. 11 5:00-11:00 p.m. SATURDAY, SEPT. 12 12:00 (Noon)-11:00 p.m. Rain or Shine!

The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present our 15th Annual

Brighton’s Smokin’ Jazz and Barbecue Blues Festival! With thousands of visitors each year, this

iconic festival has truly become a signature event for the City of Brighton. Located just a short

drive north from Ann Arbor, east from Lansing and west from Novi, we are within a stone’s

throw of I-96 and US-23. We come together, one weekend every September, to celebrate jazz,

blues, barbecue and our historic one-of-a-kind downtown. For those that have never been, we

hope it only takes one visit…and then you will be hooked!

If you are a returning vendor, we are excited to have you! If you are contracted food vendor

new to Smokin’ Jazz, we heartily thank you for your interest and hope to make this a must-do on your summer event calendar! Last year was a fantastic year, and we are excited for 2020!

THE DETAILS (Updated 3.4.2020):

Applications are now open for the 2020 Brighton’s Smokin’ Jazz & Barbecue Blues Festival! The application deadline is June 1, 2020, but applications will be frequently reviewed and accepted, so we may fill up before then. Limited spaces are available, and only completed applications will be approved. Get your app in early! PLEASE submit completed applications with all necessary paperwork (or let me know when you will have missing pieces). When I have to track down all the pieces needed, it takes time away from planning and marketing this fantastic event! Please note the application has been updated from previous years. The purpose of this is for me to gather additional info that will help me with street layout and set-up, which will make for a smooth set-up for everyone.

All payments, including your application fee, must accompany your application, unless you have been approved for a payment plan. Application fees ($25) for all food vendors WILL BE processed upon receipt. Credit card payments and submitted checks for booth fees WILL NOT BE processed unless you are accepted as one of the contracted food vendors.

Booth fee checks will not be deposited until after acceptance notification. Letters will be emailed as vendors are accepted. All application fees are non-refundable, and after acceptance, all booth fees are also non-refundable.

All approved food vendors must provide a current Certificate of Liability Insurance naming the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Brighton as additional insured for the 2020 Brighton’s Smokin’ Jazz & Barbecue Blues Festival.

The vendor application process is designed to reduce duplication of choices for side dishes, desserts and non-alcoholic beverages. By regulating these menu choices, we can insure that everyone has something different to offer, and that you stand out from the other vendors. You must send your full menu along with the completed application to be reviewed by the Smokin’ Jazz Event Committee for final approval. Vendors will only be able to sell approved menu items.

All foods accepted will follow a “Smoke & Barbecue” theme. Dinners might include your specialty, a side of starch and a side of vegetable:

3 piece rib, side of mashed potatoes and green beans, or a portion of chicken with corn on the cob and coleslaw, or a portion of sausage with red beans and rice and cabbage or southern greens

Barbecue vendors (whether serving ribs or not) have the option of setting up at one of two

locations – on Main Street or on Mill Pond Lane next to the music stage. Returning vendors will

be given first choice. Mill Pond Lane vendors are next to the music and beverage area. This

area is open from 5:00-11:00 p.m. both Friday and Saturday nights of the festival. Vendors in

this area are welcome to open earlier, but the crowd will be there during the above hours.

There are very limited booths here, and this is a great spot…especially if you have limited staff!

Sweet treats and non-barbecue vendors will be placed on Main Street.

Tar Paper is ABSOLUTELY required within your space for all barbecue food vendors. This and

all other requirements of the Brighton Area Fire Authority must be met and will be included

with your acceptance letter. Generators are not allowed. A centrally located water spigot will

be available for use by all vendors.

All Food vendors are responsible for making their own change and providing their own menu

boards. Please make sure you have everything you need to do this and that they are easily

visible to the public.

Event hours are Friday, September 11 from 5:00pm - 11:00pm and Saturday September 12,

from 12:00pm - 11:00pm. Setup time begins at 10:00am on Friday unless previously arranged.

I will work with you individually to sort out the best set-up time so we can get everyone where

they need to go as smoothly as possible. Additional details regarding the rib contest, set-up

times, space maintenance requirements, food vendor parking, accommodations, etc. will be provided to approved food vendors prior to the event.

For more questions, or if you need detailed event information, please reach out any time.

Sincerely,

Jen Ling

Director of Events

Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce

810.227.5086

JENL@brightoncoc.org