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Festival License Application

This application should only be submitted by organizers intending to hold an outdoor, open air gathering of 300 or more attendees per day. This application should not be submitted if the event (1) is a City‑sponsored event, (2) requires a City Special Event Permit (held exclusively on public right-of-way), (3) is an official event hosted or sponsored by local school district or university, or (4) is a religious or political assembly.

Before you start this application, please look over the Festival License Document Checklist at https://www.bloomingtonil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/32649/639166835126470000. This will help you make sure you have all the required documents ready to upload to this application. You can attach documents at any time using the paperclip icon on the left side of your screen.

Required Documents (must be complete & attached to this application)

Copy of a Government-Issued Photo IDs for all Applicants, Owners, Partners, Officers, etc. with over 20% interest and any General Managers of the Business.(Must be combined into one document for submission);
A Signed Agreement between the event organizer and the property owner to use the event space, if applicable;
A List of All Vendors, including Mobile Food Vendors, that will be operating during the event, if applicable;
- The list must include each vendor’s business name, phone number, address, email address, and the primary contact person for each event day, along with their cell phone number.
A Full Event Schedule, as advertised to the public or the private group;
A Computer-Generated Site Map for the event that includes all of the following using the abbreviations associated with each category:
- Location of Vendors (V) with Food Vendors (FV) broken out separately;
- Location of Tents (T) and Canopies (C);
- Location of Washroom Facilities (WF);
- Location of Alcoholic Beverage Vendors (AB);
- Location of Non-Alcoholic Beverage Vendors (NAB);
- Location of Garbage (G) / Recycling (R) Receptacles;
- Location of Parking (P);
- Public Entrances (PE) and Exits (PX); and
- Location of Sound Stages (SS).
A Certificate of Liability Insurance including:
- The applicant’s name must be listed as the insured;
- The start and end dates of coverage as well as coverage limits;
- The City of Bloomington listed as an Additional Insured (can be included in the “Description of Operations” box); and
- The City of Bloomington, 115 E. Washington St., Bloomington, IL 61701 listed in the Certificate Holder section.
A Health Department, if applicable
If a Non-Profit Organization, proof of status must be provided in the form of an IRS Determination Letter (501(c)(3) Letter), IRS Affirmation Letter, or Forms 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N.

Required to be Submitted Online (NOT attached to this application)

Tax Forms – Must be Submitted Online. Local Tax Information can be found on the City’s website at https://www.bloomingtonil.gov/departments/finance/local-tax-information.
- Food/Beverage Tax – Required for all licensees selling food/beverages and can be submitted online
- Amusement Tax – Required for establishments that will offer events where amusement is exhibitive in nature, meaning it is viewed in exchange for payment of a fee or charge.
- - Includes Cover Charges or Tickets sold

Please check that you agree before continuing.

By continuing, I confirm that I am authorized to sign on behalf of the applicant entity or organization. I also agree to complete a digital version of the required document(s) and understand that information about my user session will be stored.

Upload Attachment(s)

Please upload the following attachments:

There is a 250MB limit on each attachment.

Copy of a Government-Issued Photo IDs for all Applicants, Owners, Partners, Officers, etc. with over 20 percent interest and any General Managers of the Business. Must be combined into one document for submission Click Here to Upload