Dear Friend of UMES:
I hope you’re enjoying the fall season! We are excited to invite you to the University of Maryland Eastern Shores annual Homecoming Tailgate on Saturday, November 8, 2025, right here on our campus.
Join us for a day filled with fun and excitement, courtesy of the UMES students, alumni, faculty, and staff during our annual Homecoming Tailgate. Trust us, people are already eager to be a part of it, and we’d love to have you there too!
This year’s Homecoming Tailgate event will be held between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center parking lot, so plan to arrive early to make the most of the day. Please keep in mind that all vendors and organizations are responsible for cleaning up their stands and disposing of trash properly, as well as handling grease and other chemical agents (Absolutely no grease disposal on University grounds).
Due to the location of the Homecoming Tailgate events, vendors should bring their own water. All vendors and organizations registering for a space should arrive no later than 8:00am on Saturday, November 8, 2025. This includes all large items such as coolers and grills.
NOTE: NO SMOKING IN THE TAILGATE. VENDORS WITH SMOKING PRODUCTS or tobacco items will be approved.
FOOD VENDOR/TRUCK REQUIREMENTS
Food Vendors: All food vendors require an approved waiver from Thompson Hospitality. You must submit the necessary 2025 Documentation in this form to receive the waiver.
- Current Food Facility license in the caterer’s or business name
- Food Handler permit for the person working the event
- Certificate of insurance in the caterer’s or business name up to $1,000,000 per occurrence under general liability. (2025)
- Certificate of insurance listing UMES up to $1,000,000 per occurrence under general liability. (2025) (UMES, 11868 College Backbone Rd., Princess Anne, MD 21853)
- Certificate of insurance listing Thompson Hospitality Services, LLC. up to $1,000,000 per occurrence under general liability. (2025) (Thompson Hospitality Services, LLC., 1741 Business Center Drive, Suite 200, Reston, VA 20190)
NO FOOD VENDOR/TRUCK WILL BE ALLOWED ON CAMPUS WITHOUT APPROVAL FORM SUBMITTED.
NON-FOOD VENDOR REQUIREMENTS
You must submit the necessary 2025 Documentation in this form to receive approval.
- Copy of active and current Business License
NO VENDOR WILL BE ALLOWED ON CAMPUS WITHOUT APPROVAL FORM SUBMITTED.
STUDENT, ALUMNI, AND COMMUNITY GROUP REQUIREMENTS
No specific or additional documentation required.
NO STUDENT, ALUMNI, OR COMMUNITY GROUP WILL BE ALLOWED ON CAMPUS WITHOUT APPROVAL FORM SUBMITTED.
To register for Homecoming Tailgate, simply return the enclosed form to the Center for Student Engagement And Leadership (SEAL) by Wednesday, October 22, 2025 – 11:59pm.
CLICK HERE: VENDOR AND GROUP REGISTRATION LINK – TAILGATE
Please Note: Your registration is not considered complete until this form has been successfully submitted, all documentation has been transmitted, and your registration payment has been made (using the forthcoming link).
If you have questions or concerns, please email engagement@umes.edu.
We can’t wait to see you at Homecoming Tailgate 2025!
Sincerely,
Center for Student Engagement And Leadership (Formerly Student Experience)
