Vendor Rules and Guidelines

Riverwalk Market Fair’s Mission is to support local farmers and artisans for the benefit of our community.

Updated on February 8, 2026

Special Collaborations

In addition to the Farmers’ Market and Artist Market, Riverwalk Market Fair (RMF) works collaboratively with the community by providing:
● Venues for area entertainers to perform,
● “Youth Booth” tents for area youth to sell products they make,
● and space for local nonprofits to provide educational information.

Governance

RMF is governed by a Board of Directors, which is responsible for the overall function of RMF; RMF retains a Market Manager, Market Assistant Manager, 3-5 Market Crew Members, and select volunteers to handle day-to-day market operations.

Contact Information: manager@riverwalkmarketfair.org

Mailing address: Riverwalk Market Fair, PO Box 725, Northfield, MN 55057

More information:
Website: www.riverwalkmarketfair.org
Facebook: Riverwalk Market Fair
Instagram: @RiverwalkMarketFair

Market Dates, Location, and Hours

RMF’s summer markets are located outdoors on and around Bridge Square in downtown Northfield; this is a beautiful, historic, riverfront location in the downtown shopping district.

RMF’s summer markets will be held on Saturdays, May 16th through October 31, 2026, except for September 12th for Defeat of Jesse James Days (a total of 24 Saturday markets). Saturday hours of operation are 9 am - 1pm.

Vendors may apply for as many or as few markets as they wish; though we encourage vendors to choose either a full or half-market option.

Vendors, Applications, and Fees

Juried marketplace: RMF is a juried marketplace. All new artist vendor applications must be approved through the jury process. The board also reserves the right to re-jury returning vendors at any point. Please see Artist Market Rules for additional information about this process for the respective market.

Farmer and Food Vendors: Please review the Farmer and Food Vendor Rules.

Application fee: All vendors pay a $25 non-refundable annual application fee.

Weekly per-market fee: Vendors also pay a fee for each market at which they sell which must be paid with your application. Per-market fees range from $25 - $35 per market per booth, depending on the frequency of participation. Payment for weekly fees will be returned to you if your application is not approved.

21-24 dates: $25/market
11-20 dates: $30/market
1-10 dates: $35/market

Vendor fees include the following services provided by RMF:
● Event coordination and management, with onsite personnel every Saturday of operation.
● Event marketing, including regional and local media coverage (ads, articles, press releases, brochures,
radio, and social media).
● Permit/coordination with the City of Northfield.
● Onsite signage and banners, and posters throughout the City.
● Onsite visitor information tent in Bridge Square.
● Outreach to local businesses.
● Music and street entertainment.
● Participation opportunities in food access programs like SNAP, S/FMNP, POP, and Farm to Families.

After receiving approval from the Market Manager, up to two approved vendors may share their space/tent on any market day.

Insurance

We highly recommend that you carry liability insurance, to protect yourself and your assets. If you do have insurance, we request a copy of it. RMF offers resources through the MN Farmers’ Market Association for group insurance and affordable umbrella policies. If insurance is a barrier, please speak with the RMF manager.

All vendors are required to submit an Indemnity Agreement (City of Northfield requirement); this agreement is included in the application form.

Sales Tax

All vendors are required to submit a Minnesota Certificate of Sales Tax Compliance (Form ST19) Please click here for current forms, information on how to obtain a Minnesota State Tax ID number, and what is considered taxable or nontaxable as defined by Minnesota law. Each vendor is responsible for paying their own sales tax, as appropriate. As of 1/1/2026, the sales tax rate in Northfield is 7.735%, but can change, so check with the State for all current and applicable taxes for your products.

Conduct

Vendor Behavior: All vendors are required to treat everyone with respect, kindness, and cooperation. This includes RMF managers, staff, and volunteers. It also includes market visitors and fellow vendors. Anyone out of compliance with this will receive a one time warning and then may be fined up to $50 and/or asked to leave the market without refund of vendor fees.

- Vendors may not sublet their booths to any other vendors.

Illness: If a vendor is ill with a contagious illness, they must not attend the market until they are well. Contagious illnesses include, but are not limited to: flu, stomach illnesses, and COVID-19. If a vendor has tested positive for COVID-19, they must not attend the market until at least five days after positive test AND a negative test. If a vendor is selling food at the market, they must not attend within 24 hours of vomiting, diarrhea, or fever.

Attendance: Vendors may be charged a $25 fee if they don't let market staff know that they won't be attending a market at least four days before a market takes place and they may not be allowed to vend until the fee is paid.

Cancellations, Weather, and Refunds

We are a rain or shine market. In case of dangerous weather, the market may be closed at the discretion of the market manager—weather updates will be posted to the social media pages and email notifications will be sent. For more details, see our full weather policy.

RMF does not refund fees. In the case of extenuating circumstances, RMF may provide a vendor with a partial refund. Refunds will be determined on an individual basis by the RMF board.

Stall Assignments

Stall assignments: The market manager will assign vendors to stall spaces, and email those assignments to vendors 3-4 days before each market.

Stall location: Because the vendors at RMF change every week, many vendors will not be in the same location every week. Change in location assignments may occur at RMF's discretion. Reservation of spaces establishes no right to, or guarantee of, space rental in subsequent years.

Cancellations: As stated above, vendors not able to attend their reserved market date must email the market manager four days prior to the market date. Emergency cancellations must be made as soon as possible. Any vendor out of compliance with this rule may be subject to a $25 fine and may not be allowed to vend until the fee is paid.

Set-up, Take-down, and Parking

Set-up: For RMF's summer outdoor markets, vendors may arrive two hours before the market start time and must be completely set up and ready to vend 15 minutes before the market opens. If you have not entered the set-up space at least an hour before the start of the market, your booth may need to be moved to an outer edge as space permits. If you have an emergency and are running late, please contact the market manager as soon as possible so we can assist you.

Parking: After unloading your vehicle, please park it away from the market area before you being setting up your stall space. Do not park in front of downtown businesses or in the Post Office alley or parking lot. You must have approval from the market manager to vend from a vehicle as only certain areas of the market allow for this. All other vehicles should park in public parking areas away from the market. As you are able, please try to park at least a block away from the market to reserve nearby spaces for customers.

Take-down: Vendors may depart at the end of the market, or if you wish to leave early, please let the manager know so that you can do so in a safe manner and without disturbing the rest of the market. No moving vehicles are allowed in the market area during market hours. Booths must be removed no later than 3 pm.
***Vendors may leave early ONLY if it is safe to do*** Please indicate on your application that you'd like a placement that allows for early departure if product runs out, etc. and we will assign your booth accordingly. Please inform the manager prior to that market if possible or indicate if this will be a regular need.

Site Guidelines

Waste: Vendors are responsible for removing all trash, recyclables, and compostable waste from their stalls and disposing of them in the proper receptacles. Direct all customer trash to public waste receptacles. All waste water must be disposed of in an approved sanitary sewer system. Disposal on the ground, in the river, or in a storm sewer is not acceptable.

Advertising: No commercial (non-vendor) advertising is allowed.

Tents and equipment: RMF encourages creating a booth space that is visually appealing.

Booth space requirements: Vendors are responsible for providing all tables, chairs, scales, signs, containers, shopping bags, etc. All backstock and cardboard boxes must be stored under the tables or stacked neatly out of the way. Vendors must keep their site clean and free of trash during market hours. Displays, canopies, signage, etc. may not infringe upon walkways or neighboring booths.
Tents an tent weights: Vendors can use a canopy or tent (not required). Effective weights (30 lbs. per tent leg) are required to hold down the tent in case of wind. Tents may NOT be staked to the ground. Vendors assume full responsibility for any damage or injury resulting from tents/canopies or other display items that fly away. If you want a tent and do not have one, please speak with the manager about our rental program. Vendors found to not be using weights on their tent corners will be subject to a $10 fine per week that they are out of compliance.
Prohibited activities: Vendors may not smoke at any booth. RMF prohibits solicitation and political or religious activities during market hours. Nonprofit groups may apply to participate in RMF as a Community Partner, and if approved, may present educational materials or information about their organizations, missions, etc., but may not engage in political or religious activities, canvassing, petitioning, etc. For more information, see the RMF Community Partner Rules and Application.

Enforcement and Disputes

Unacceptable merchandise: The market manager may request any vendor to immediately remove any merchandise deemed unacceptable at the sole discretion of the manager.

Market manager authority: The market manager has ultimate onsite authority and enforces all rules of RMF. If a vendor has a dispute or complaint, the vendor should discuss it with the market manager. If the dispute is not resolved with the market manager, the vendor must submit the dispute in writing to the market manager, who will forward it to the appropriate RMF Board of Directors Committee for final decision.