Vendor background checks have Derby Day festival organizers worried

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Register Correspondent
DERBY >> Requiring vendors who sell everything from balloons to burgers at the city’s annual Derby Day festival to undergo police background checks has organizers fearing the event will fold.
The city has had an ordinance on its books since 1976 that requires background checks for vendors wanting to peddle their wares at city-wide events. However, according to Aldermanic President Art Gerckens, single-day events and licensing and permits for vendors, “was not referenced” back in the ’70s.
“Single-day event licenses have been loosely required to follow all of the requirements of the ’70s-era ordinance,” Gerckens said. “This has led to confusion in recent years and the current Operations and Procedures (subcommittee) has attempted to streamline and clarify the process.

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