2024 NC EAT & PLAY Fall HOOTENANNY & FOODIE FEST PRESENTED BY CHEERWINE

Creating FUN southern BRAND ENGAGEMENT.

NC Eat & Play’s Fall Hootenanny & Foodie Fest is back and better than ever! Join us Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 3-7pm at James B. Hunt Horse Complex at the NC State Fairgrounds.

The bi-annual event welcomes 1,000+ ticketed guests to experience a uniquely southern celebration featuring farm-style, good, authentic family fun and music while indulging during a Foodie Festival with 20+ popular local food vendors, farmers, purveyors, breweries, and brands.

Beyond its immersive in-person experience, the content generated with the event earns 500,000+ views and reaches 100,000+ accounts. This includes but not limited to sponsor coverage, promotions, user-generated content, shared influencers, news coverage, and other PR.

With the Fairgrounds as a backdrop and lots of delicious food, fun activities, entertainment, and Cheerwine, there’s no doubt our Hootenanny & Foodie Festival is a main attraction for locals.

Please fill out the vendor confirmation form below to join us! We use this information to ensure vendor success with layout, logistical needs, menu assortment, and promotions. You will receive a confirmation email after you have submitted your information. Plus, we will have a special Fall Hootenanny feature in the NC Eat & Play Magazine which will include a guide listing all participating vendors. 

NC Eat & Play's Spring Hootenanny & Foodie Fest

Celebrating all things NC Eat & Play in Hootenanny-style!

Mother and her child picking up a Cheerwine sample at the Hootenanny

Every day NC Eat & Play highlights and celebrates local businesses and establishments in North Carolina to help thousands of locals discover great food and adventure. In creating events like the Hootenanny, our mission is to create a safe, fun, and deeply-rooted southern experience to gather, indulge, and enjoy being a local wanderluster.

The Fall Hootenanny & Foodie Festival is presented by Cheerwine, the south’s iconic cherry soft drink. They will be joined by several other North Carolina brands and small businesses looking to safely engage with local families and meet the local community.

Back again as our Main Bite sponsor is The Butcher’s Market. All attendees will have The Butcher’s Market Main Bite as part of their ticket package. This helps ensure the attendees have a generous plate and still be able to indulge on smaller tastings from other celebrated vendors.

The Foodie Festival will start serving attendees at 3pm and go till 7pm. Vendors are encouraged to be fully set up by 2pm. Early set up and onsite storage available upon request.

TASTE SAMPLES

Food vendors should expect to serve small bite tastings for 850-1000 attendees.

All food should be cooked and prepared in your approved certified kitchen – unless approved by event producer or in a food truck or mobile unit with proper certifications and licensing.

Samples are served at food tables or 10×10 tents – each with access to power if requested prior to event. Warmers are welcomed. Additional space is available upon request and first-come-fist-serve. Food must be accompanied by intended utensils and plates or containers.

Let us know if you need a tent or table.

COST TO PARTICPATE

There is no cost for food vendors to participate.

Approved taste vendors are asked to confidently prepare and serve taste samples for a minimum of 850-1000 attendees, and to have the staffing for proper setup, event service, and tear down.

NC Eat & Play and the event producer, Llama House will have volunteers to help and also provide additional supplies as needed.

In trade for samples, NC Eat & Play is committed to promoting and highlighting your business in promotions prior to the event. After the event, each participating vendor will receive a special social media package worth $1000. See details from Megan below.

GROW YOUR BRAND

Vendors are able to promote their brand with banners and other signage at their food tables/tents.

We encourage games and giveaways for follows and email sign-ups. Bring plenty of business cards or marketing materials to hand out.

The NC Eat & Play team will come by to photograph/record your tent and taste samples for event coverage.

All vendors will be tagged and linked in content produced by NC Eat & Play.

Please encourage tasters to tag your brand as well.

Megan Nichols, Founder of NC Eat & Play

Hi, y’all! 

We are thrilled to welcome everyone to our new venue, James B. Hunt Horse Complex. This location offers vendors a host of amenities and we are confident you’ll love it just as much as we do.

  • Dedicated vendor parking. Vendors will have access to load in based on layout position and park closest to main event area or in private overflow parking with transportation to and from as needed. 
  • Friendly staff to help with all your needs.
  • Large event space for weather contingencies. This event is rain or shine.

Located in Raleigh at 4601 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607, we are in the heart of North Carolina.

Additionally, your team working the event will also receive complimentary tasting and drink tickets.

Tastings/Sampling Process

  • Vendors will collect branded vendor tickets for samples from attendees (1 branded ticket per vendor per attendee).
  • Tickets for kids ages 12 and under are limited to 400 for this event. Kids will need a ticket for admittance and will not be permitted to have samples unless purchasing a general admission ticket (which is counted into the total samples and branded tickets).
  • Kids will have their own Main Kids Bite and a dessert sample provided for them. 

My team and I recognize that this successful event comes with extra costs and time for vendors. To help offset this commitment, we are offering a special social media package to help your business stay in front of this engaged audience after the event.  

  • THANK YOU PACKAGE – $1,000 value and our thank you – includes (1) Premium Instagram carousel (up to 4 images), social media post with (2) Instagram story shares, and Facebook crossover posting. 
  • Listed in NC Eat & Play Magazine’s featured Fall Hootenanny Guide.

This package is for your business needs and is separate from any event coverage. You’ll work with my team and I to schedule and create a campaign. Scheduling needs to occur within 60 days after the event. Please know the NC Eat & Play schedule books up fast. We kindly ask that you be responsible for scheduling within this timeline to ensure you receive your package. We will also send out an invitation to attend a pre-event virtual call to go over event logistics and details and answer any questions you may have. This is voluntary but highly encouraged.

I want to personally thank you in advance for considering participating. If this is not your first time, welcome back! Thanks for your continued support and faith in us. I can’t wait to see everyone soon. 

CONFIRM YOUR PARTICIPATION

We’re excited to welcome interested vendors to this event. Please make sure to review the details above and provide your information below. The NC Eat & Play team will review and respond accordingly.

Please note, this event is focused on a uniquely southern experience, but we anticipate our Foodie Festival to expand flavors mirroring our diverse local culinary talent. Selection is at the discretion of NC Eat & Play.

We will make every attempt to reduce overlapping tastes and potential conflict when possible. We feel strongly in giving preference to our vendors that have previously worked with us, but that does not guarantee acceptance until notified.

Vendor Confirmation for Fall 2024

Name(Required)
Max. file size: 3 GB.
Share your logo file with us (PNG/transparent background preferred) so we can best promote your brand! If you have any questions or trouble uploading, please email to sophia@llamahousepartners.com
Let us know what you plan to serve guests at the Fall Hootenanny. We recommend food samples be generous bites that have a Southern inspiration, but reflect your business' best! Drink samples are recommended to be 4oz pours. We'll be using this information to promote your participation to guests, so please be as accurate as possible and let us know immediately if this changes.
On-site Needs/Electrical Needs:(Required)
Please let us know in detail what you will need to support your food warmers ensure enough power for your station.
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