Farmers Market logo Dec 2012

Information Group Guidelines and Agreement Form (PDF 469.38 KB)

Printer-friendly copy of the 2013 Informational Table Policy (PDF 469.38 KB)

Thank you for your interest in setting up an informational table at the City of Bloomington Community Farmers' Market. The Parks and Recreation Department is committed to providing an environment where issues can be openly discussed and explored. In order to provide an atmosphere in which open communication can occur without disrupting the other activities of Market, please follow the guidelines below for the Saturday Market.

Locations: Info Alley

There are two areas where groups may set up to distribute information. One has a weekly fee associated with it, and the other does not.

Fee Area - Groups may set up tables on the west side of Market, along the 8th Street entrance, near the Farmers' Market Plaza on the B-Line Trail (see the map on the Agreement Form (PDF 469.38 KB)) during the Saturday Market. There are boundary lines and numbers marked on the pavement indicating the spaces available for groups to set up. Representatives of groups may stand in the area immediately in front of their selected space when distributing literature, gathering signatures, or otherwise actively engaging the public. At no time may group members walk through the Market engaging in these activities.

Free Area - Groups may set up on the east side of the B-Line Trail, just north of 8th Street (see the map on the Agreement Form (PDF 469.38 KB)), during the Saturday Market. There are no markings in the grass, but groups should limit their space to approximately 6' x 6' and situate it off the Trail by at least two feet.

Registration and Cost to Participate

There is a $10 registration fee for use of the fee area and/or the free area. Additionally the fee area has a $10 per week fee. Groups interested in tabling need to submit the registration form (PDF 469.38 KB), the $10 registration fee and, if using the fee area, at least one week's fee.

If a group pays stall fees for all remaining Saturdays, they will be able to reserve a space for the remaining Saturdays (there are 35 Saturday Markets in 2013). There is a meeting at noon on Monday, March 18 in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 401 N. Morton St. in Bloomington, for groups to select and reserve a space for the entire season.

If renting a space by the week, materials need to be turned in to the Park and Recreation Department office one week in advance of tabling, or can be turned in on-site on the first day the group tables. Groups may pay for multiple weeks and that information will be recorded and kept at Market. Each Market day a representative from the group must report to the Market information table to check in and provide payment if necessary, except groups reserving for the season. Groups should report to the Market information table immediately after setting up. A Market staff person will be at the information table by 8 a.m. (April - September) and 9 a.m. (October and November).

Equipment

Groups must provide their own tables and chairs. Any type of shelter (tent, umbrella, etc.) and/or sign used by a group must fit within the 6' x 6' space and be securely tied down.

Accessing Spaces

Each group is limited to one 6' x 6' space. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis each week. Groups paying for all remaining Saturdays are able to reserve a space.

Fee Area Specific

Upon arrival, groups utilizing the fee area should identify which space they would liek to utilize. Each space is numbered. Groups can then secure that space by placing their name next to the corresponding number on the Info Alley sign-up board located in the Info Alley area. The sign-up board will be available by 6:30 a.m. (April - September) and by 7:30 a.m. (October - November). Groups arriving prior to 6:30 a.m. should keep track of their arrival time for establishing the order of space selectin. Groups must wait until 7:45 a.m. (April - September and 8:45 a.m. (October - November) to access their space for the day and must vacate their space by 12:45 p.m. each week. Groups must occupy their selected space by 8:30 a.m. (April - September) and 9:30 a.m. (October - November) or give up their rights to that space for the day. Groups are not allowed to save spaces for other groups not yet present.

Unloading/Loading and Parking

There is no vehcile access for info groups to the Market and Info Alley area. Between 7:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. groups may pull their vehicles just outside of the Market gates near Info Alley to unload/load. Landscaping carts are also available by the Market shed located on thes outh side of the Market to assist in moving supplies in and out of the Market. City parking meters are enforced on Saturdays. Groups tabling at Market should park their vehicles during Market hours in the IU C Permit lot, which is accessible from the alley between 9th and 10th Streets east of Morton Street. Parking in the IU C Permit lot is free.

Additional Guidelines

Weather Policy

During Market hours, a staff member inside City Hall will monitor weather radar if inclement weather takes
a turn to the severe and be in close contact with the Market Master. If sudden or unpredicted severe weather is
imminent, the Market Master will notify the Info Alley participants. At any time participants can go into City
Hall and ask the Market assistant for a weather update.

In the event of thunder, lightning, high winds, tornado, hail or other severe weather at the Market, participants
are advised to take shelter in the downstairs interior hallway of City Hall. In the case of heavy rain, thunder or
lightning, if participants cannot take cover in the building, then they may alternatively take shelter in an enclosed
vehicle with a metal roof and closed windows, taking care not to touch the metal frame of the vehicle until the threat
has passed.

The Monroe County emergency sirens sound with a steady tone in the event that the National Weather Service
issues a tornado warning for the county or if emergency personnel have sighted a funnel cloud or tornado. At
the time of the siren sounding, the Market Master will alert Market patrons that the downstairs interior hallway of
City Hall is the safest nearby location to seek shelter until the threat has passed. The tornado siren will sound for five minutes, but the cessation of the siren does not necessarily mean that the threat of tornado has passed. Market staff will notify participants in City Hall when it is safe to return to the Market.

The registering group respresentative is responsible for ensuring this information is shared with all members of the group who may be assisting with the information table. If you have questions or concerns please contact Robin Hobson at (812) 349-3738 or via e-mail at hobsonr@bloomington.in.gov.