New Bedford, Massachusetts-The 2009 Greater New Bedford Summerfest invites restaurants and food vendors to participate in the festival’s expanded food court. This year’s festival will be held July 3-5, 2009 and includes top names in contemporary and traditional folk music performing on 6 stages. More than 90 talented artisans and craft vendors line the streets and feature a diverse selection of handcrafted goods. Summerfest is one of Southcoast’s most prestigious events and attracts more than 20,000 visitors from across the United States, Canada and beyond.

“Last year, the food court was such an overwhelming success, we decided to increase the number of food vendors involved,” said Ann Marie Lopes, Director of Tourism. “Our goal is to include a variety of food choices which reflect New Bedford’s diverse and unique culinary choices.”

Interested vendors must be self-contained and must remain in service for the entire festival. To be considered, all food vendors are required to complete and submit an application by Friday, May 15. To obtain an application vendors can send an e-mail to info@summerfest.com (include “Food Vendor Application” in the subject heading). Or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Summerfest Food Vendor, c/o New Bedford Office of Tourism, Wharfinger Building, Pier 3, New Bedford, MA 02740.

The Greater New Bedford Summerfest is sponsored through a partnership among The Standard-Times, the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Artworks! and the City of New Bedford.

For more information on the festival visit: www.newbedfordsummerfest.com and www.myspace.com/newbedfordsummerfest .

Anyone with questions is encouraged to e-mail festival organizers at info@newbedfordsummerfest.com.