Greetings YardFest Vendors,
It’s that time of year again, and we’re excited to welcome you to Jackson State University to celebrate with us during THEE Homecoming season!
THEE Jackson State University Student Center Operations invites you to join us as a vendor for YardFest 2026 and share your goods and services with the JSU community.
EVENT DETAILS
Friday, October 16, 2026
Vendor Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Vendor Setup: 8:00 AM
Location: Gibbs-Green Plaza | Administration Tower Lawn | THEE Vendor Zone
IMPORTANT VENDOR ARRIVAL INFORMATION: Vendors will not be permitted to enter or begin setup before 8:00 AM. No exceptions.
Upon arrival, Student Center Operations staff and/or designated volunteers will assist verified vendors with locating their preassigned vendor spaces. Vendors should not attempt to select, occupy, or begin setting up a space without first checking in with designated event staff.
All vendors must keep their University-issued vendor credentials visible throughout YardFest, including:
- University-Provided Vendor Name Card
- University-Provided Vendor Verification Card
- University-Provided Vendor Parking Permit
We appreciate your cooperation as we work to provide a safe, organized, and enjoyable experience for everyone.
VENDOR PLACEMENT OPTIONS & TIER SYSTEM
For YardFest 2026, we are excited to offer a two-tier vendor placement system designed to provide vendors with options based on their desired event visibility and placement.
TIER 1 – PREMIUM TRADITIONAL VENDOR PLACEMENT | $650
Our Premium Vendor Placement area (Plaza) is a specially curated vendor experience designed to provide participating vendors with high visibility, increased exposure, and additional promotional opportunities throughout YardFest.
Tier 1 vendors will be assigned by Student Center Operations within a designated high-visibility area that is intended to encourage attendee awareness, traffic, and overall engagement.
TIER 2 – VENDOR ZONE PLACEMENT | $450
Our Vendor Zone Placement area (Vendor Zone-Administration Tower Lawn) is a additional vender zone on the main campus. This area will have music and games, and will be just a few steps away from the Gibbs-Green Plaza.
Tier 2 vendors will be assigned by Student Center Operations within our standard vendor placement area (Vendor Zone-Administration Tower Lawn), providing a designated space with visibility to showcase and sell approved products or services during YardFest that also encourage attendee awareness, traffic, and overall engagement.
VENDOR SELECTION
Vendors will have the opportunity to only select their preferred placement tier during the registration process. Placement is subject to availability only and will be based on fully completed registration, acknowledgement of expectations, payment, and any other applicable approval requirements.
Selection of Tier 1 – Premium Traditional Placement (Plaza) acknowledges that the additional fee is associated with placement within the specially curated premium vendor areas and its planned promotional exposure. This does not guarantee a particular location, level of foot traffic, number of customers, sales volume, or revenue.
Selection of Tier 2 – Vendor Zone Placement (Vendor Zone) acknowledges that the vendor will be assigned a location within the vendor area (Administration Tower Lawn).
Please carefully consider which placement option best aligns with your organization's needs before completing registration and payment.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
To participate, vendors must complete both of the following:
- Complete the vendor registration/application using the provided registration URL.
- Complete, sign, and return the attached Vendor Acknowledgment Form.
Both requirements must be completed for a vendor's registration to be considered fully complete.
Submission of an application does not, by itself, constitute final approval to participate. Vendors should rely upon the confirmation and instructions provided by Student Center Operations regarding their vendor participation.
PAYMENT & NO-REFUND POLICY — PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
All vendor registration payments are non-refundable.
Vendors should carefully review all event information, requirements, policies, fees, and expectations before submitting payment and completing registration.
Once vendor payment has been submitted, no refunds will be issued for any reason or circumstance, including, but not limited to, a vendor's inability to attend or participate, scheduling conflicts, travel issues, staffing concerns, changes in anticipated attendance or customer traffic, vendor cancellation, or weather-related conditions or concerns.
YardFest is an outdoor event, and vendors should plan accordingly for the possibility of changing weather conditions. Rain, wind, temperature changes, inclement weather, or other weather-related circumstances will not constitute grounds for a refund.
Payment and submission of the Vendor Acknowledgment Form indicate that the vendor has reviewed, understands, and agrees to the applicable vendor requirements, including this no-refund policy.
VENDOR ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Each vendor is responsible for carefully reading this communication, the Vendor Acknowledgment Form, and all accompanying vendor policies in their entirety before signing, submitting payment, or participating in YardFest.
Please complete the following:
- Read all vendor information, policies, and requirements carefully.
- Complete the Vendor Acknowledgment Form in its entirety.
- Sign the form confirming your understanding and agreement.
- Scan or electronically save the completed and signed form.
- Return the completed form to Student Center Operations using the email addresses provided in your vendor correspondence.
By signing and submitting the acknowledgment, the vendor confirms that they have had an opportunity to review the information provided and agree to comply with the applicable YardFest vendor requirements, including the no-refund and weather provisions outlined above.
Failure to submit the required acknowledgment by the established deadline may result in the vendor being considered ineligible to participate in YardFest.
Vendors are encouraged to retain a copy of their completed acknowledgment and event information for their records, and if asked about it.
Once registration requirements have been successfully completed, additional event-day information and logistical details will be communicated to the email address provided on the vendor application. Please remember that you are responsible for the correct information that you provide to us.
PLEASE REVIEW ALL VENDOR POLICIES
Before completing your registration, please carefully review all attached information and policies.
Particular attention should be given to the list of prohibited items and activities. Vendors are not permitted to sell, display, or distribute Jackson State University-branded, trademarked, copyrighted, or otherwise protected merchandise unless the appropriate authorization has been obtained and presented to us. You are also not permitted to sell, distribute, or prepare any food or beverages unless the appropriate authorization has been obtained and presented to us. If you are interested in purchasing a maximum of two vendor spots, you will have to pay for each spot accordingly.
PROHIBITED ITEMS & PRACTICES
To support a safe, organized, and enjoyable YardFest experience, participating vendors are expected to comply with the following:
- Assigned Vendor Location: Vendors must remain within their assigned vendor location. Vendors may not relocate, expand, transition, exchange, or otherwise move their vending operation to another area without authorization from Student Center Operations.
- Holding or Reserving Vendor Spaces: Vendors may not hold, reserve, or occupy vendor spaces on behalf of another vendor.
- Early Setup: Vendors may not begin setup before 8:00 AM, and may not begin setup without proper check-in with Student Center Operations. Early arrival does not constitute authorization to enter the vendor areas and begin setting up.
- Vending Hours: All vending activity must be fully concluded by 4:30 PM. Vendors may not continue selling, distributing merchandise, or conducting vending activities after this time. Vendors are also responsible for cleaning up their areas after vending has concluded. This includes, but not limited to: tables, chairs, boxes, materials, debris, products, etc. Failure to comply may result in applicable administrative fees.
- JSU Trademarked/Copyrighted Merchandise: Vendors may not sell, display, distribute, or otherwise offer Jackson State University trademarked, copyrighted, or otherwise protected merchandise without appropriate authorization, and provided to us.
- Alcohol: Jackson State University is an alcohol-free campus. Vendors and guests may not possess, distribute, sell, or consume alcoholic beverages on University property.
- Smoking: Jackson State University is a smoke-free campus. Vendors are expected to comply with applicable University requirements regarding smoking and tobacco use.
- Unauthorized Setup Changes: Vendors may not make unauthorized changes to their assigned space, equipment placement, or approved vending footprint. Any changes must be authorized by Student Center Operations, and failure to comply can lead to potential loss of vending privileges.
- Event Directives: Vendors are expected to follow applicable instructions provided by Student Center Operations and authorized University personnel throughout and after the event. Failure to comply with applicable event requirements may affect continued participation and/or eligibility for future vending opportunities, consistent with University policies and procedures.
These requirements will be strictly enforced throughout YardFest to support the safety, organization, and overall experience of the event.
WE’RE EXCITED TO HAVE YOU!
Jackson State University Homecoming YardFest is always a special part of the Jackson State University Homecoming experience, and we are excited that you are considering joining us.
Our vendors contribute greatly to the energy and atmosphere of THEE Yard, and we appreciate your cooperation as Student Center Operations works to continue to provide an organized, engaging, and enjoyable experience for our students, alumni, faculty, staff, vendors, and guests.
If you have questions regarding registration, event logistics, or vendor requirements, please contact Student Center Operations before completing your registration and payment so that we have an opportunity to provide clarification.
Please read all information carefully before registering. Your registration, payment, and signed Vendor Acknowledgement Form indicate your understanding and agreement with the applicable vendor requirements, including that all vendor payments are non-refundable and weather-related circumstances do not qualify for a refund.
Thank you for choosing to celebrate Homecoming with Jackson State University.
We’ll see you on THEE YARD!
JACKSON STATE TIGER SPIRIT!
For additional information, please contact:
Sean Wallace | (601) 979-3497 | sean.n.wallace@jsums.edu
Rashad Moore | (601) 979-2572 | rashad.j.moore@jsums.edu
Shaundra Bennett | (601) 979-2571 | shaundra.l.bennett@jsums.edu
