Events held in Fargo Parks must request permission and pay fees for any activity that includes sales of food, beverage or merchandise. If admission, food and/or merchandise sales are part of a Special Event, the Park District will request fees/commissions from the Special Event. A payment schedule will be part of the Facility Use Agreement.
- Admission Charged: Any event with an admission charge needs to pay a percentage fee on the total ticket/admission sales collected for the event at the park. Admission is defined as a fee that permits participation in an event or amusement. Free will offerings and silent auctions are not considered admissions. Free will donations can suggest a donation amount, but the donation cannot be required. Only sales collected on site will be subject to the 10% Admission Fee.
- Alcohol: The Fargo Park District has a strict policy regarding alcohol and beer sales. Learn more about our policy.
- If the event is selling alcohol in a city park, the applicant is required to apply for a Park Beer/Alcohol Selling Permit here.
- The Seller must have all appropriate City and State licenses and strictly comply with the requirements of such license, including having properly trained servers.
- Food Sales: Special events that want to have food sales at their event will be asked to pay a fee based on the attached fee schedule for this privilege.
- The Applicant will also need to supply the Fargo Park District with a list of food vendors at least 7 days before the event.
- Food Vendors must have all appropriate City and State licenses and strictly comply with the requirements of such license. For more information on a Temporary Restaurant License contact the City of Fargo Environmental Health Department: at 701-476-6729 or health@cityoffargo.com.
- Vending Permission: Special events that want to have non-food sales at their event will be asked to pay a fee based on the current fee schedule for this privilege.
- Applicant is responsible for all vendors participating at event.
- Applicant will also need to supply the Fargo Park District with a list of non-food vendors at least 7 days before the event.
- Non-food Vendors must have all appropriate City and State licenses and strictly comply with the requirements of such license.
- Applicant is responsible to collect all insurances and licensing required by law.
PLEASE NOTE: The Fargo Park District reserves the right to approve food and non-food Vendors. Vendors may serve only menu items approved for the event. All Vendors must adhere to site or event hours as stated in the contract. Caterers and Vendors selling beverages must abide by the Fargo Park District’s beverage policy and serve Pepsi products. The Fargo Park District reserves the right to ask the Vendor to remove an item if it was not originally listed on the approved menu/list or if it violates a City of Fargo or Park District ordinance. Unless otherwise amended in the separate contract or approval, the provisions of this policy shall be applied as part of the contract. Vendors must have paid all fees in full, submitted a Certificate of Insurance and provide all other permits or licenses required by law or ordinance, and provide all other information required for the event contract. Vendors will not be allowed to set up if fees, licensing and/or insurance requirements are not submitted as required.
Food and Beverage:
- Park District Contracted Vendors: The Fargo Park District has contracts with vendors in the parks that operate outside of special events. These contracts may limit the sales and consumption of food and beverage at reserved events. These agreements may also limit what is available to some events that want to provide food and beverages that will be available but not sold.
- Applicant Contracted Vendors: Vendors may sell at a special event if they have permission from the Applicant. The Applicant may choose to charge a Vendor for participating in an event. If Vendors are part of a special event, the specific Vendor may be asked to provide the Fargo Park District with additional fees, certificates of insurance or additional permits. The Fargo Park District may request the Applicant to assist with distribution and collection of contracts, fees, insurance certificates, etc. to facilitate the process.
- Consumption Permit for Beer or Alcohol: The Fargo Park District offers a consumption permit to allow for the consumption of alcoholic beverages on Park District property for specified locations and may limit the type of alcoholic beverages that may be consumed at the location. A security deposit may be required. The Consumption Permit will allow individuals to bring to that location the allowed alcoholic beverages that have been purchased elsewhere. A Consumption Permit does not allow for any sale of alcoholic beverages. No kegs or glass bottles are allowed.
- Caterer serving food – For public events, caterers need to offer Pepsi products if there will be a fee for food and beverage to comply with the Fargo Park District beverage contract.
- Free will offering for food – A fee will be charged for any food that is sold. This includes asking for a minimum donation. Free-will offerings are not subject to the 10% sales fee.
- Food provided at no cost to the participants – No fee is required and no restrictions on soft drinks or waters.
