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2026 OPEN CALL
for VENDORS
JOIN THE LARGEST OUTDOOR COMMUNITY GATHERING OF PLAY:
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Thank you for your interest in participating as a vendor for MOMENTUM: PLAY PLAYE, activated by BAMS Fest and Departure Arts. PLAY PLAYE is a year round platform that centers joyful, culturally grounded public experiences that use play to spark connection, creativity, and community across generations. In lieu of BAMS Festival this year, we are bringing PLAY PLAYE to the historic Franklin Park Playstead Field on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 1pm - 8:30pm. Since our 2023 debut of PLAY PLAYE, we have brought together thousands of attendees, presented 80+ recording and performing; and activated six different community spaces.
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Why should you participate?
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Your business or organization becomes a part of this growing community that deserves joy, belonging and connection to businesses that serve their needs;
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Access to a diverse cross section of an estimated 15,000+ attendees from New England and the Mid-Atlantic regions.
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Opportunity to generate revenue and promote your products/services to a viable market.
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Your business will receive promotion and social media support.​
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We give priority to Black-owned/ BIPOC businesses, but all of those interested should apply. All vendors will apply through the application below.
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2026 PLAY PLAYE Highlights:
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One day with one electrifying stage, featuring top tier DJs.
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Health & Movement Activities for all ages levels, including dance performance and dance workshops led by local local choreographers. , art making, sound baths and chair massages
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“KIDchella” - A fully immersive stage for the whole family that includes a curated music lineup of NextGen youth artists, on stage games and activities
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"Kidogoville" - An family centered experience with children under the age of 10 filled with areas such as instrument petting zoo, art making, coloring, dancing and other multi-sensory activities.
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ing face painting, and arts & crafts; as well as interactive
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Soul Food Row - a curated selection of ethnic cuisines representative of the people, neighborhoods and culture that amplify Greater Boston.
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Vendor Village – A showcase of artists, craft makers, creative entrepreneurs and small businesses who will promote and sell their diverse products and services.
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Play Playe on Wheels - In partnership with ChezVous Roller skating Rink, attendees can enjoy free roller-skating in a green space.
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Team games - Attendees can bring their own team or join one to compete in physical games such as tug-o-war, potato sack race and other activities.
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Fill out the vendor application form below. All vendor applications will be vetted BEFORE vendors are selected, finalized and notified. All applicants will be required to make a non-refundable $25.00 application processing fee. If your application IS selected, your application fee will be applied towards your full vendor payment.
For more information or if you have questions, please email us at vendors@bamsfest.org. To secure your vendor spot, full payments will be expected.
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2026 PLAY PLAYE
VENDOR RATES
Small Business
Single Booth
$325
Booth assignments are on a first come, first served to those who complete the application and submit their payment on time. All small business vendors will be under one large tent. This fee includes the non-refundable $25 application processing fee. All vendor applications will be vetted BEFORE vendors are selected, finalized and notified.
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Priority given to Black-owned and BIPOC small businesses
now accepting
applications:
Rolling Deadline:
4/17/2026, 5:00pm EST
Food Trucks / Open Flame / Caterers
Single Space Deposit
$175
In lieu of a commission fee to participate in BAMS Fest, food vendors will be required to provide meals to BAMS Fest Artists, Staff, and Volunteers. Food Trucks and Pop Up Food Vendors will provide a total of 60 meals, 30 during the lunch time period and 30 during the dinner period. Dessert & Treat Vendors are to provide 45 portions throughout the day.
Nonprofits
Single Booth
$160
Nonprofits cannot sell any product, but can 1) distribute information, or 2) promote or recruit for services or opportunities. If nonprofit plans to sell a product (merchandise, etc), they will be obligated to pay the full vendor amount ($300). Booth assignments are on a first come, first served to those who complete the application and submit their payment on time. All nonprofit vendors will be under one large tent. All nonprofits will be required to have an activation at their table / booth space to engage attendees for the day.​
Food Vendor ONLY Enhancements
Power
$125
For any food vendor that will require power for their space, this is a separate charge. No personal generators are allowed on site per City of Boston regulations.
Corporate vendor tables
Please email sponsorship@bamsfest.org for pricing levels.
Information to know:
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Small business: Up to 5 years in operation; Up to 10 employees; Annual revenue up to $1M
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Vendors spaces will be limited to 25 Businesses max in the Vendor Village.
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Up to 6 Nonprofit spaces are available in the Vendor Village.
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Food businesses are open to food trucks and open flame
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All selected vendors will be required to submit a Certificate of Liability (minimum $500,000 or higher per claim/$2,000,000 aggregate for the year / January 1 – December 31, 2026 or a One-Day Event Liability Insurance.
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All applicants will be required to make a $25.00 non-refundable deposit. If your application IS selected, your deposit will be applied towards your full vendor payment.
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Single Booth Space (Small Business & Nonprofits)
(1) 10x10ft area/space with (2) 6’ tables, (2) Chairs and (2) black linens. All must fit underneath and within the assigned area. No electricity will be provided or available. Small businesses are NOT ALLOWED to have their own tent. All businesses will be under a large shared tent. Small Businesses and Nonprofits will be located in the Vendor Village.
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​Food Truck / Caterers Space
Food trucks: (1) 18ft x 20ft area/space.
Food businesses: (1) 10ft x 10ft or (1) 20ft x 20ft. All must fit with the assigned area. Additional power availabile for purchase.
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Vendor Village Hours of Operation:
Saturday, June 27, 1:00 - 8:00pm EST
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Soul Food Row Hours of Operation:
Saturday, June 27, 1:00 - 8:00pm EST
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​​For Food Trucks and open flame businesses, we require a copy of:
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General Food Truck Permit from the Boston Fire Department
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Health Certificate from the City of Boston
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Certificate of Insurance (with $2M threshold or higher)
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CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON GETTING YOUR FOOD TRUCK HEALTH AND FIRE PERMITS FROM THE CITY OF BOSTON.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR CITY OF BOSTON FOOD TRUCK REGULATIONS CAN BE FOUND HERE. ALL ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS REGARDING PERMITS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE AGENCIES LISTED ABOVE.
For Food Trucks permitted outside of Boston, you must provide us with everything listed above for Boston Food Trucks, by first:
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Applying for a General Food Truck Permit from the Boston Fire Department by calling 617-343-3447 to schedule your inspection for a fire permit.
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Applying for a Temporary Food Service Permit from the Inspectional Services/City of Boston
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Scheduling and passing an inspection by Boston Fire Department and the Health Department. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SETTING UP INSPECTIONS.
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Vendor Village Vendors
All vendors who would like to sell/display commercially packaged food or non-alcoholic beverages will need to provide a us with a valid Temporary Food Service Permit from the City of Boston. No refrigeration is allowed in this area. All items must be shelf stable and unpackaged goods are not allowed. More information on obtaining a Temporary Food Service Permit is available here.
Application at the bottom of the page
READ BEFORE YOU PROCEED
TENTS & EQUIPMENT:
Due to liability and insurance requirements, VENDORS are not allowed to bring their own tents. You can however bring your own necessary displays, signs, and other equipment needed to vend at Play Playe 2026.
CERTIFICATE OF LIABILITY:
All vendors will be required to submit a Certificate of Liability to the organizers of Play Playe. If a vendor does not submit their COI in time, they forfeit their spot and will not be refunded. A minimum $500,000 and up per claim/$2,000,000 aggregate for the year / January 1 – December 31, 2026) or a One-Day Event Liability Insurance.
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VENDOR ASSIGNMENTS:
It is up to the sole discretion of BAMS Fest, Inc to determine and assign the position of where vendors will be placed onsite at the event site grounds. Special requests will not be accepted, unless for health-related reasons.
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TAX ID CERTIFICATES:
Tax ID Numbers are required in Massachusetts. All vendors must be in compliance with State & Federal Tax Laws and display Tax ID Certificate in booth. This is required for both in state and out of state vendors. If you do not have a tax id certificate, you can obtain one online in a few minutes at no cost. Click HERE to register with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
HEALTH AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: FOOD VENDORS ONLY*
If accepted, each vendor will be required to obtain a Boston Board of Health Inspections Temporary Food Service Permit (if you don't already have one). Additionally, you must pass health and fire inspections prior to the event start time on the day of the event. On the day of the event, if your health and fire inspections do not pass, you will not be refunded and you will be escorted off of the premises.
REFUND POLICY
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No refunds will be given.
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If the eventis cancelled due to force majeure, vendors will be given a credit to next year's event (regardless of rate change)
WEATHER POLICY:
Play Playe is a rain or shine event. By choosing to participate in a rain or shine market, vendors assumes all risks associated with adverse weather conditions.
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LOCATION OF YOUR BUSINESS:
We encourage all minority/women/veteran/LGBTQ small businesses to apply. If you are applying from out of state or outside of Boston limits, you may need to apply for a temporary permit with the City of Boston.
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PROMOTER STATEMENT:
BAMS Fest, Inc producers, managers and promoters reserve the right to restrict or terminate any vendor’s activity or remove any product, which, in their opinion, is objectionable or inappropriate or is detrimental to the quality of the event as a whole. In the event of any restrictions or evictions, the BAMS Fest, Inc. and its affiliates will not be liable for any refund of rental or other expenses. The BAMS Fest, Inc. producers, managers and promoters reserves the right to remove, without refund or recourse, any vendor who misrepresents him/her/their self or said business. In addition, the promoter reserves the right not to select vendors who may not be suitable for the market. The BAMS Fest, Inc. reserves the right to amend or add to the applicable rules pertaining to and governing our events at any time during and before the operating season without notice. The interpretation of all the rules by the promoters shall be final.
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