The classic fête line-up
Cakes and teas, a hot-food stall and an ice cream are the backbone of most fêtes. A hog roast is a traditional choice for the hot food: the smell draws people across the field.
Pitch and ground
Give the hog roast a level, firm pitch with vehicle access, away from marquees and trees, and plan for wet ground.
Volunteers and traders
A professional trader frees your volunteers for everything else. Agree times, the pitch and how food is paid for.
Allergens
Ask traders to display allergen information.
Pricing for visitors
If visitors buy their own food, agree prices with the trader in advance so they suit the fête’s audience. Some fêtes ask traders to donate part of their takings to the cause.
Weather and ground
Fêtes are usually on grass. A dry summer makes it easy; a wet week before can make it hard for vehicles to get on. Have a firm route and pitch in mind.
Signage and allergens
A clear sign with the menu and allergen information helps visitors decide quickly and keeps the queue moving.
Clearing up
Ask traders to take their own waste away. Fête committees have enough to do at the end of the day.
Next year
A good hog roast stall often becomes part of the fête tradition. If it went well, book early for next year.
Working with the committee
Give the trader one contact on the committee who can answer questions on the day: where to park, when the gates open and who to tell if something goes wrong.
Charity and fundraising
If the fête raises money for a cause, agree with the trader in advance how that works, for example a pitch fee or a donation. Put it in writing.
How long to trade
Fêtes usually run for a few hours in the afternoon. Agree start and finish times with the trader, and remember the hog roast must start roasting hours before the gates open, so the trader needs early access.
Health and safety on the field
Hot-food traders need space around their cooking area, and the public shouldn’t be able to wander behind the stall. Agree the layout with the trader so the queue faces the serving table, with the roaster behind it and out of reach.
Rain on the day
Fêtes go ahead in most weather. The roast cooks under cover, so the stall can trade in a shower; visitors will appreciate somewhere to shelter while they eat, such as the tea tent or a few gazebos.
Before you book
Send us the fête date, opening hours, expected visitors, the field location, the pitch and how food will be paid for. We’ll tell you what we can offer and what we need on the day.
Quick answers
Can a hog roast trade at our fête?
Yes. Tell us the date and pitch.
Do you need power?
Not to cook.
Planning an event? Tell us about it and we’ll check the date and send a quote.