KokoFest 2026 — Brooklyn Navy Yard
Everything you need to know about participating as a vendor at New York City's premier Caribbean culture celebration.
Key Dates
June 30, 2026
All vendor applications must be submitted via Eventbrite by June 23rd. No late applications will be accepted.
TBD-Will confirm via email
Join us for an on-site walkthrough at Brooklyn Navy Yard to preview your space and ask questions before event day.
July 16–23, 2026
Pick up your vendor credentials at Kokomo Restaurant (65 Kent Ave, Brooklyn). Only 4 open pickup days available in this window — plan early.
July 24, 2026 · 5pm–11pm
First load-in window. All vendors may begin setup.
July 25, 2026 · 6am–10am
Final setup window on event day. All vendors must be fully set up before 10am.
July 25, 2026
Doors open. Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Load-In Details
All vendors must enter through the designated vendor entrance. Please review the requirements below carefully — security will be enforcing all regulations.
Cumberland Ave & Flushing Ave. This is the designated security checkpoint for all vendors. Do not attempt to enter through any other gate.
Maximum length: 26 ft. Maximum height: 12 ft. Oversized vehicles will not be permitted entry.
All vendors must present their vendor pass and vehicle info at the checkpoint. A vehicle list will be submitted to security in advance — your vehicle must be on it.
📍 KokoFest Vendor Entrance — Security Checkpoint at Cumberland Ave & Flushing Ave
Credentials
Vendor passes will be distributed in-person at Kokomo Restaurant prior to the event. You must pick up your pass before arriving at Brooklyn Navy Yard on event day — passes will NOT be distributed at the gate.
📍 Location
Kokomo Restaurant, 65 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
📅 Pickup Window
July 16–23, 2026
Thu, July 16
Fri, July 17
Sat, July 18
Sun, July 19
Mon, July 20
Tue, July 21
Wed, July 22
Thu, July 23
⚠️ Only 4 pickup days are available in this window. We strongly recommend picking up your pass July 16, 17, or 18 to avoid missing the Thursday 7/23 final pickup. Passes will NOT be available at the venue on event day.
Who Can Participate
Food tents, pop-ups, market vendors, and festival food sellers celebrating Caribbean and global cuisine.
Licensed operators. Max 26 ft length, 12 ft height. Must be pre-registered with security.
Handmade goods, art, jewelry, clothing, beauty, and cultural products from independent makers.
Sponsors and brands activating on-site for our engaged Caribbean diaspora audience.
What's Included
Required Compliance
TFSE Permit Required
A valid Temporary Food Service Establishment (TFSE) Permit issued by the NYC Department of Health is required for ANY vendor selling food at KokoFest 2026. This is a city mandate. Your permit number must be on file before your spot is confirmed.
Permit Cost
$70
Permit Validity
1 Year
Submission
Required
If your permit was issued within the past 12 months and is still valid, you do not need to reapply. Food truck operators should already have one on file.
Download and submit the application to the NYC Department of Health.
Download NYC TFSE Application →Reply to your acceptance email with your permit number and business name. Your space is not fully confirmed until this is received.
Physical or digital copy required at the security checkpoint on July 25.
Applications close June 23rd. Secure your spot before it's gone.
Booth Standards
Standard booth is 10' x 10'. Larger footprints by approval only. Your tent, table, signage, equipment, refrigeration, generator, and storage must all fit inside your assigned footprint. Aisles and walkways stay clear at all times — no spillover into neighboring booths or fire lanes.
Tents must be flame-retardant per FDNY; bring the manufacturer's flame certificate. Each tent leg must be weighted with at least 40 lbs (water barrels, sandbags, or concrete weights). NO stakes into pavement, grass, or park property — weighted bases only.
Booth must be fully built, stocked, and inspection-ready by 10:00am on Saturday, July 25, 2026. Gates open to the public at 12:00pm. Remain staffed and open for the entire event window. No early teardown — strike begins only after KokoFest gives the all-clear.
All banners, signage, and menus are subject to KokoFest art-direction approval (submit proofs by the signage deadline). No competing sponsor logos, alcohol brands (other than official sponsor), or political messaging. Use KokoFest-provided menu-board/signage templates if supplied. All food vendors must provide ground protection — grease or other marks left on the ground will result in a fine.
Food & Beverage Vendors
These rules come from NYC Health Code Article 81 and NY State 14-2. KokoFest will spot-check at load-in and during the event.
Cold-Holding
| Item | Temp | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cold foods | ≤ 41 °F | Mechanical refrigeration preferred. Ice baths acceptable if food is in food-grade containers, NOT sitting in ice. |
| Frozen foods | 0 °F or below | Solid frozen — no slush. |
| Time-as-control | ≤ 4 hours | Permitted under §81.10 if you tag each item with the discard time. |
Hot-Holding & Cooking
| Item | Temp | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hot-held foods | ≥ 140 °F | Use steam tables, hot boxes, or warming trays with thermometers. |
| Poultry | 165 °F | Internal temp at thickest point. |
| Ground meat | 158 °F | Internal temp. |
| Reheating | 165 °F within 2 hrs | From cold to safe hot-hold. |
| Other PHF | 140 °F | Potentially hazardous foods (meat, dairy, cooked rice/pasta). |
Warm potable water flowing from a spigot (not a pour bucket). Liquid soap dispenser, single-use paper towels, and a wastewater catch basin. "Wash Hands" sign posted. Must stay accessible to all food handlers — not blocked, not used for other tasks.
Handlers must be well (no fever or GI illness in the last 24 hrs). Hair restraints on all handlers. Clean aprons. Closed-lid drinks only, stored away from prep. Gloves changed between tasks (raw → ready-to-eat, money → food, etc.).
Menus must list all common allergens (peanut, tree nut, dairy, egg, gluten, shellfish, soy, sesame). Items and prices must match your application — no day-of substitutions without KokoFest approval. Vegan, halal, kosher, or gluten-free claims must be verifiable on request.
Required Compliance
Required for every vendor. Submit your COI by the COI deadline.
| Coverage | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Commercial General Liability | $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate |
| Product Liability (food vendors) | $1,000,000 (included in or additional to CGL) |
| Workers Compensation | Required if you have any employees (NY State law) |
| Auto Liability (food trucks) | $1,000,000 combined single limit |
Additional Insureds — must be named on your COI
COI Language to Give Your Broker
(in the Description of Operations box)
"The City of New York, including its officials and employees; Bounce Marketing & Events LLC; and KOKOFEST LLC are named as additional insureds with respect to operations performed by the named insured at KOKOFEST 2026, Brooklyn, NY on July 25, 2026. Coverage shall be primary and non-contributory."
Brand Compliance
Include item, price, and allergen icons where applicable.
No signage from brands that conflict with KokoFest sponsors (list provided at signup).
"Wash Hands" sign at the handwash station; allergen disclosure where applicable.
Logistics
Phase 1: Fri, July 24 · 5–11pm · Phase 2: Sat, July 25 · 6–10am (all booths set up by 10am). Bring your printed confirmation, photo ID, and original copies of every permit + COI. Vehicles must clear the festival footprint immediately after unloading — unload, park, then return to set up. No exceptions.
Submit your power needs in your application (total amperage + equipment list). KokoFest may provide shared generators; allocation is by need and not guaranteed. Personal generators are allowed for food trucks only — tented vendors must notify us of power needs.
Each vendor stages their own trash bin at the back of their booth. Food vendors: bring a sealed-lid grease container — no grease in city storm drains. All vendor trash goes to the onsite dumpsters. Leave your footprint broom-clean; a cleaning fee applies to vendors who don't.
Safety & Fire
Class K extinguisher (cooking-oil rated) inside the booth, fully charged, current tag (within 12 months). Plus a general-purpose 2A:10BC extinguisher. Propane tanks upright, secured, away from the public, and ≤ 20 lb unless permitted otherwise. No flammable materials (paper towels, cardboard, fuel) within 10 ft of any cooking surface.
NYC DOHMH inspectors may arrive unannounced; fines run $200–$2,000 per violation, with immediate closure for serious violations. FDNY may inspect for propane/fire compliance. KokoFest spot-checks at load-in — booths that fail will not be permitted to open.
House Rules
Verify the Rules
If KokoFest guidance ever conflicts with NYC or NY State law, the law controls.