Rules and regulations changes for Market at Icehouse vendors could soon take place, impacting attendance requirements, vendor categories and more, Town of Lexington Parks and Community Services Director Jeff Metz recently outlined during a town council workshop.

Metz told council members that some vendors were no-shows last year, leaving prepared tables and tents empty. Under the proposed change, vendors would be required to provide written notice by 10 a.m. on the Thursday prior to the event if they cannot attend, allowing the town to notify other vendors that space is available. 

Proposed consequences for no-shows include a $20 fine for a second offense and removal for the remainder of the season after a third offense. 

“At the end of the day, there should be some penalty if you register and take a spot from a vendor that could have been there,” Councilman Gavin Smith said. “I’m actually for a harsher penalty than just a $20 penalty.”

Another potential change would involve vehicle registration and parking enforcement. Metz said the town has experienced issues with vendors unloading and then leaving their vehicles on-site. Under the proposed rule, vendors would be required to submit the make, model and license plate number of their vehicle for tracking purposes.

Vendor categories and priority orders could also change. The proposed system would give first priority to farmers and growers, second priority to returning craft vendors, third to resellers and new craft vendors and fourth to nonprofit organizations. 

If the pavilion is full, nonprofits would be required to bring their own equipment, the proposed rules state.

Metz also proposed adjusting booth sizes. Currently, booths are 10-by-10 feet. Metz said one of the market’s biggest challenges occurs when it overflows, forcing tents and tables to be set up outside the pavilion.

Under the proposed change, booth sizes would be reduced to 7-by-10 feet, allowing for 16 additional spaces. The new configuration would accommodate up to 56 vendors under the pavilion. 

The potential rules would also change the vendor registration process. Currently, the town allows rolling registration throughout the season, which Metz said is difficult to manage administratively.

Under the proposal, vendor registration would close on May 1. Applications would be reviewed and reassessed monthly throughout the season, with registration reopening if additional vendors are needed. 

Metz also discussed potentially adding Marketspread, a market management platform that would allow staff to manage market maps and booth assignments, track vendor attendance, maintain a waitlist and contact vendors when cancellations occur. The platform would also allow vendors to register and cancel attendance.

Council members unanimously approved adding the amended Market at Icehouse rules and regulations to the Feb. 2 council meeting agenda.  It would have to pass an additional reading to become official. 

"The Town of Lexington Farmers Market is primarily intended as a farmer/grower and local artisans market that uses a community-friendly atmosphere to promote, support and encourage local production, while educating citizens on the benefits of eating local, fresh produce and supporting local artists and the Certified SC program," according to the town's website.

The Market at Icehouse is located at 107 West Main St. in downtown Lexington.

Market at Icehouse 2026 season dates are expected to be released in early February, according to the Icehouse website. 

More information about becoming a vendor can be found at icehouseamphitheater.com/market/.