Our organization works to bring new life to downtown Rockford by establishing a weekly tradition that draws people into the heart of the city, creates a vibrant community center, increases business at downtown shops & restaurants, and serves as an incubator for new businesses.
We hope you join us in the goal and meet us at the Market.
Anyone wishing to become a vendor must submit a completed application via Managemymarket.com and be selected through a committee approval process. Our Vendor Rules + Regulations can be found at the bottom of this page.
To complete an application:
Create a Profile on Managemymarket.com (free website, can be used to register for other markets throughout the U.S.)
Read through the Rules and Regulations below and Fill out the application for the 2024 Rockford City Market in Rockford, IL and submit
Upload photos of your product to Managemymarket.com or email them to Becca.Bartels@rrdp.org
Upload photos of your product and booth set-up to Managemymarket.com or email them to Becca.Bartels@rrdp.org
To ensure a wide variety of goods to the market, the number of vendors in each product category will be limited. Vendors returning from the season before must fill out a new application and include photos of any new products that were not sold at the Rockford City Market.
The deadline to apply for a vendor space at the 2024 Friday Night Outdoor Rockford City Market is February 26th.
You will be notified of your application status on March 8th.
Upon acceptance, you will receive a $25-$50 early bird discount if you pay your vendor fee by March 22nd.
All vendor fees are due by April 19th.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Becca, our Director of Market Engagement, at Becca.Bartels@rrdp.org or 815.315.1337
The Rockford City Market is committed to creating a diverse marketplace with the highest quality, locally grown and produced products available (within 150 miles). Rockford City Market will not be bound to apply a particular set of selection criteria in every instance and reserves unconditional discretion to accept of refuse anyone as a vendor and will consider many factors when evaluating vendor applications. Vendors are selected through a committee approval process.
Priority will be given to:
Local farmers and producers (with 150 miles) who bring product to the market that is 100% grown and harvested on farmland they own and/or operate.
Vendors who create high quality, unique or unusual items not already well-represented at the Market.
Businesses with potential for growth into storefronts in local commercial districts, or products with the potential for commercialization.
Prepared food vendors with limited menus that meet one or more of these criteria: 1.Start-up with potential for incubation; 2.Existing downtown business; 3. Unique or ethnic food. Preference will be given to foods made from fresh healthful ingredients. Approved menus must be adhered to unless pre-approved by committee.
Vendors from the previous season whose continued presence at the market successfully aligns with the market's mission.
Vendor priority will be given to full season applicants, returning applicants who adhered to the rules and guidelines, and then new applicants based on product. Prepared food space is limited.
PLEASE NOTE: Vendor booths are reserved for vendors with locally grown or produced products and are not available for services, political organizations or campaigns, franchises, third party/direct sales or hostess companies, or not-for-profit organizations. The only exception to this is not-for-profit organizations who grow produce may be admitted with committee approval.
We are excited to introduce 5-week food truck spots for our 2024 season! Interested in being a part of the Outdoor Rockford City Market, but can’t commit to a full 20-week season? This might be the perfect fit for you! Choose your top 5 Fridays that you’d like to participate in (along with a few extra backup dates), and we’ll create a custom short-term vendor spot for you.
*Applicants may apply for multiple 5-week sessions, acceptance for multiple sessions with be based on availability.
Our new Rockford City Market Incubator Tent is the perfect opportunity for entrepreneurs that are just getting started, but aren’t quite ready to commit to a full or half season at the Outdoor Rockford City Market. Apply for a single Friday in this rotating booth to test out your product and engage with the community. This space is currently only eligible to non-food vendors.
To apply for one of these spaces, please fill out our INCUBATOR APPLICATION HERE.
*Please Note: The Incubator Application is different from the application steps listed above. You MUST use the specific INCUBATOR APPLICATION to apply for our Incubator Tent.
We are opening up our Indoor Rockford City Market Building on Fridays to host local artists from the community! This *NEW* opportunity will create an indoor art gallery atmosphere during the Outdoor Rockford City Market, featuring artist selling and/or showcasing, music, and a bar. This is the perfect opportunity for local artists and makers to engage the community with their art on short-term basis.
For more info, or to apply for an artist space, please fill out our ARTIST APPLICATION HERE.
*Please Note: The Artist Application is different from the application steps listed above. You MUST use the specific ARTIST APPLICATION to apply for the indoor weekly pop up art gallery.
If you are a farmer of any kind, you are eligible for 5 weeks FREE at the Market! Please reach out to Becca at Becca.Bartels@rrdp.org for more info on this opportunity!
Looking for our Saturday morning North End City Market?