North Carolina Seafood Festival · 2026
Vendor Weekend Guide
Keep this page handy for booth setup, weekend services and Sunday move-out.
The mobile map requires significant zoom to see booth spaces. Its legend and pop-up names are awaiting updates; use the latest assignment list to verify your space.
WifiSeafood-Vendor
seafoodvendor@2026
Expected hours of operation
- Friday, October 2: Noon–11:00 PM
- Saturday, October 3: 10:00 AM–11:00 PM
- Sunday, October 4: 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
All vendors, including nonprofit organizations, are expected to remain open until at least dusk on Friday and Saturday, and until the Festival closes at 5:00 PM Sunday.
Vendors choosing to remain open after dark must provide adequate approved lighting. Gas, alcohol and open-flame lighting are prohibited.
When you reach your booth
- Check your space. Review the latest booth assignments and keep everything within the footprint you registered for, including trailer tongues, outriggers, storage and equipment.
- Unload promptly. Remove your vehicle before completing booth setup whenever possible. All vendor vehicles must be out of the Festival footprint by 11:00 AM Friday.
- Display your packet items. Attach the yellow tag to your tent. Display your official Vendor Display Placard/tent sign prominently throughout the weekend.
- If you ordered electricity: attach the green tag to your electrical cord where it plugs into the outlet.
- Be ready for inspection. Cooking vendors must pass the Friday fire inspection and receive an inspection seal on their Vendor Display Placard before operating.
Your packet includes a Festival map and weekend instructions. If your packet or required tags are missing, contact Festival staff.
Electricity, water, ice & disposal
Electricity
Power is limited. Use only the electrical service you registered for. Additional power cannot be guaranteed. Keep cords in good condition, appropriately sized, and protected from pedestrians and vehicles. Tape down or properly cover cords crossing walking areas.
Grease & wastewater — 4th, 5th, 7th & 9th streets
Use the designated grease and greywater collection containers on these streets. Collect and transport grease and wastewater in properly sized, labeled containers or tanks used only for that purpose.
Never dump, pipe or spill grease or wastewater into storm drains, streets, waterways or onto the ground. Improper disposal may result in permit suspension, shutdown without refund and exclusion from future Festivals.
Potable water
Use approved Town water stations or approved private connections. Food vendors must provide an approved potable-water hose (normally white with an NSF label), a backflow-prevention device between the hose and spigot, clean food-safe containers when needed, and a way to provide warm water for cleaning. Label and protect potable-water equipment and use it only for potable water.
Ice
An ice vendor will be available during the Festival. Ask Festival staff for the location.
Need help?
Text Nick Eatmon: 252-725-8601
Include your name, business or organization, booth space number, and your question. Text is the fastest way to reach Nick; responses may take time during busy periods.
Submit a vendor question
Parking & restocking
Your digital vehicle-access pass is for loading and unloading only. It is not a parking pass. There is no dedicated vendor parking area after unloading; vendors are responsible for arranging their own parking.
Travis Day has offered paid parking on the 8th block between Evans and Arendell. Contact 252-646-3297 for availability and rates.
Bring a hand cart for supplies and merchandise. Once Festival operations begin, vehicles may not enter the footprint for restocking unless specifically authorized.
Fire inspection & safety
The Morehead City Fire Department will inspect setups Friday morning. Vendors may not operate until their setups pass inspection and deficiencies are corrected. All cooking vendors must receive an inspection seal on the official Vendor Display Placard.
Have ready: fire extinguishers, generator, propane equipment, electrical cords, tent flame-resistance labels, and required permits and licenses.
Fire extinguishers — every vendor
Every booth must have at least one properly charged five-pound ABC dry-chemical fire extinguisher readily accessible. It must have a service tag dated within the previous 12 months, or proof that it was newly purchased within the previous 12 months.
Vendors cooking with grease, oil or deep fryers must also have a properly charged and serviced Class K extinguisher. If Class K is required, you must have both the ABC and Class K extinguishers.
Generators & fuel
Generators must be enclosed, meet Fire Department requirements, and be at least 20 feet from tents or membrane structures.
If unsure whether your generator is acceptable, text a photo to 252-725-8601 with your name and business. Festival electricity is extremely limited and cannot be guaranteed as a last-minute replacement.
Gasoline, diesel, kerosene and other flammable or combustible liquids must be stored in approved containers at least 50 feet from tents and 50 feet from heat or ignition sources.
Propane
Tents, canopies & clear access
Electrical equipment
Review the complete Morehead City Fire Department Vendor Rules and Regulations in your EventHub account.
Food vendors: report NC seafood purchases
Report the amount of North Carolina-harvested seafood you have purchased so the Festival can promote your business on the Seafood Trail map and in social media posts.
Report NC seafood purchases
Save receipts and invoices in a folder for Festival verification. Vendors receive 10% cash back on verified purchases of qualifying North Carolina-harvested seafood.
Insurance & required documents
Before setup, every vendor must have either an approved Certificate of Insurance or confirmed coverage through the Festival’s liability policy. Required documents must be uploaded through EventHub.
COI requirements
Minimum coverage: $2,000,000 general/product aggregate and $1,000,000 products/completed operations.
Your COI must name the following as Additional Insured:
North Carolina Seafood Festival, Inc.
412-D Evans Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
Festival-provided liability coverage costs $100 through EventHub. It does not insure merchandise, equipment, tents, trailers or other personal property against loss or damage.
Documents in your EventHub account
- Carteret County Health Department Water Requirements
- Carteret County Temporary Food Establishment Application
- Certificate of Liability Insurance information
- Environmental Health Rules
- Morehead City Fire Department Vendor Rules and Regulations
- 2026 NCSF Vendor Rules and Information
Review and download each document that applies to your vendor category.
Closing your booth & overnight security
The Festival provides overnight security, but anything left at your booth remains at your own risk. The Festival is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged property.
Secure your booth each evening and remove all cash, valuables and irreplaceable items.
Sunday breakdown & move-out
Do not begin breakdown until the Festival closes at 5:00 PM Sunday. Wait for public-safety officials to authorize vehicle access before bringing a vehicle into the footprint.
Pedestrian traffic must be cleared and the area declared safe before vehicles enter. Follow staff directions.
In severe weather, do not dismantle or remove your booth until Festival leadership issues an official closure or removal authorization.