Annual Racine Party on the Pavement vendor fee increases spark controversy
RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) — Southeast Wisconsin's largest street festival is back this year, but a costly change is sparking frustration among some vendors.
"It's basically double the price from last year," said Alejandro Davalos, owner of La Taquiza Guadalajara.
Davalos has owned his food truck and local business for three years and has not missed a Party on the Pavement since.
However, this year's fee increase is making him think twice.
"We are kind of going back and forth right now," Davalos said.
Party on the Pavement takes place in the heart of downtown Racine and brings in thousands of people each year.
In previous years, food trucks paid $300 to participate. This year, that fee has doubled, while fees for other vendors have also increased.
The updated fee structure for 2026:
- Food trucks: $300 to $600
- Commercial vendors: $300 to $450
- Nonprofits: $150 to $250
- Arts and crafts vendors: $125 to $250
"The increases of insurance, the permits through the city have increased significantly, I mean operational costs," said Kelly Kruse, executive director of the Downtown Racine Corporation. "I mean, everyone knows this is the reality of life, and as a nonprofit, we have a zero-based budget."
Kruse said the fee increases come down to inflation and an effort to make sure brick-and-mortar businesses also benefit from the event, not just outside vendors.
"The downtown business owners did not see an increase, and they have not seen an increase in quite some time," Kruse said. "So, our focus is of course always on that. We are a nonprofit whose mission is a vibrant downtown, so if we don't have successful downtown business owners, that's the core of everything."
While downtown businesses are excluded from the fee increases, other vendors say the higher cost is a big ask, causing some to decide not to attend.
"I have some friends that they kind of decided not to come to the event," Davalos said. "Think about inventory, you've got to think about staff, you've got to think just being here all day, like how much of what you're going to bring, you know, and that does impact it a little bit. So does that weigh in our choice to maybe be here or not? Kind of, yeah."
Kruse said the increase is needed to keep the event free for attendees while continuing to provide entertainment.
Party on the Pavement is set for Saturday, Sept. 19.