many race tracks, demo Derby’s mud bogs, and such don’t have concessions in the pits.  Motorcycle rallies and get together.  Poker runs not at the start but at the stop where they will be around 11 to 12. then go back to the finish line.

don’t spend big money on an event if you have only a cart.
don’t pay for lists, most are BS when it comes to numbers.

The lists are free all over the net, get the name and number of the town and county Chamber and the police dept.  find out the info free from the chamber, then verify the numbers with the police dept.  Tractor, and lawn mower pulls, mud bogs, small rodeos, church events, are all usually good, at stadium events like rodeos work the bleachers like at a big league ball Park.

stay away from fair midways till you’re ready, try VFW, American Legion, call churches, and look for other small music events.  they are often over looked.

We did a Saturday night dirt race track in North Ga.  Long hours, late nights plus we had an hours drive on each end.  Then we spent all day Sunday cleaning the cart down to get it to where we could sell on the streets on Monday.  But the money was good.

If you can’t get into an event due to time and it’s close enough, go take a look at it.  You may find it really isn’t worth it (like one we just looked at). Don’t forget Art Festivals.

We mainly do events/festivals. No HD approval needed and the money is under the radar. You can Google search a city name and add festival to it. Sometimes you get lucky and you will find a direct link to the festival website.  If you do events that you receive payment from you might find a 1099 form in your mailbox at tax time if you received $600 or more.
Don t get us wrong, we are not endorsing operating a business illegally. Unfortunately our system seems to squash the small entrepreneurial spirit that made this county.  States like ours won t even allow you to share commercial kitchen space. Some states have requirements that make it almost impossible to operate legally.
The events/festivals we do often state in the rules that no HD approval is required and only ask that you use a common sense approach to food safety. The only drawback is that there are a lot of people who try to cash in on the events. On the plus side is that when they realize how little they actually make they quit.

Can you park in the street next to the ballfields??  Make up some business cards and network yourself out there.  If you can’t find an event “sell yourself” for private parties, birthday parties, car dealerships.  I used to vend at the local ATV dealership on Sundays which was good money most of the time.  Look up the chamber of commerce in  your area although some cities that are small do not have one.  I’m sure you have other ideas, but at least you are sticking with it and not quitting.  Good Luck.    DD 

Parkave1… have the town provide you a hardcopy of the law/ rule as to why there are no vendors allowed in Parks.

No Hot Dog Carts.. that’s fine!  Show up with a table, propane steamer and some coolers. LOL.

You could organize all of the non profit groups that use the parks to request exemtion from the rule since the majority of the groups are made up of local tax payers.  You might have to negotiate a cut with the leagues but at least you will be their official vendor.

Found this for you.

 
Your Third is where I got started. Classic Car Clubs Drive -Ins.   They came and asked me, I swear I did not know they existed. LOL
 Led to more and more. All free. The biggy is they sponsor a once a year car show. I was only vendor for the whole show, because I was there on their Drive -In Nites.  Free also. Did a killer thing once a year. Hot Dogs and Classic Cars go together. I got the bug after that. It will  take you at least two years or longer to book for everything. Do not just go and find stuff and book. I could do that everyday, look. At the end of two to three years, Then you have to sit and look to see which is profitable and what to throw away and keep working from there. Adding, networking and always looking. If done right really fun and profitable. I cannot or anybody else tell you what is right for you. We went in blind and lost afew but the outcome at the end of the year was in our favor.
Also have to add go to Rest. Pro Section and look -up and Follow Konnie. He did small stuff close to home.
Hope he is doing well, haven’t heard from him in while.

I just got into my town’s free weekly concerts. We did $300 for the first night and helped to establish ourselves. Downside is that they wanted to spread out the business among other vendors so I only got one other night in August. If the customer feedback continues to be string they’ll consider giving me more concert nights next summer.