Skip to content

Walk in the Wild 2023 Vendor Participation Form

This registration form is for vendor participation in the upcoming Oakland Zoo fundraising event "Walk in the Wild" to be held on Thursday, June 22, 2023. As a participating vendor, you will showcase your donated cuisine or libations to 1,500 foodies excited about sampling your fare while raising money for the Oakland Zoo - a leader in animal welfare, conservation, and education.

Event Hours: The event runs from 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. From 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. the focus is on dinner, with sampling stations throughout the zoo. As the sun sets, the event shifts to dessert and dancing from 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. in the plaza and rides area. Logistics regarding load-in, set-up, placement, etc. will be emailed to confirmed vendors as the event date nears.

Community Grants: As a gesture of appreciation for the community-based businesses supporting Walk in the Wild for almost 30 years, Oakland Zoo is investing $20,000 in community grants for our participating Walk in the Wild vendors. Distributed in multiple grants, the grants will support the restaurants, wineries, breweries, and bakeries that contribute to the rich cultural fabric of Oakland and the East Bay. Grant recipients will be chosen randomly from participating vendors signed up by May 1. Grant recipients will be announced ahead of the event and the grants will be distributed during Walk in the Wild. We at the Oakland Zoo greatly appreciate the support we receive from our local businesses and community members and want to reciprocate the amazing support we receive. 

Please fill out the form in its entirety. The event team will follow up with you after receiving and reviewing your application. Thank you!
1.Please Provide Your Contact Information | Note: The majority of communications regarding this event will be via email.(Required.)
2.If there area additional points of contact, please add their name and contact information here.
3.Your website address (for promotional purposes).
4.Do you have any social media handles? (for promotional purposes)
5.Will your business be serving food or beverages at the event?(Required.)
6.What type of food/ beverage are you planning on sampling at the event?(Required.)
7.This event begins with a dinner portion with tabling throughout the Zoo from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and as the sun sets, the party shifts into dessert and dancing near the rides from 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

We will incorporate some dessert stations into the 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. time frame and some savory stations into the 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. time frame. Beverage vendors are part of both the dinner and dessert portions of the event.

Please note below the time frames that you are interested in for your sampling station. Preferences noted cannot be guaranteed, however, earlier respondents' preferences will be prioritized.(Required.)
8.Your tabling space will be supplied with one 8-foot table, table linen, and 2 chairs. In some locations, a 'market umbrella' may be supplied by the Zoo for shade. 

Please note if you are planning on bringing an umbrella or tent so that we can plan accordingly. You will have space behind your serving table for one additional table if you would like to bring one. 

Please note any other items that you plan on bringing for your space in the 'other' section.(Required.)
9.Please note below if you will be using any kind of canned fuel, liquid gas, or pressurized gas tank at your station. This will help us place your station safely, and help assure that the entire event is approved by the fire inspectors as fire-safe.

NOTE: no open flames (e.g. grills, etc.) or generators are allowed.(Required.)
10.Staffing: how many people do you expect to have as staff at your stations?(Required.)
11.Staffing: If you know all or some of your team member names, please add them below. The Zoo will need the names of every person on-site for your station.
12.The Zoo may be able to offer paid event staff to support you at your station. If you expect to need paid staff support from the Zoo, please let us know and we will follow up with you. 

The additional support staff is limited, and support will be provided on a first-come-first-served basis.(Required.)
13.If you know or have an idea of the menu you will sample, please note that below. Please include as many details as you can at this point.

Reminder: each vendor should bring a minimum of:

- 750 sample servings for food
OR
- 1,000 sample servings for beverages
14.If you have a sample/ drafted menu or a photo for reference for your tabling station, please upload the file here. You may also add a link to the files in the next question's comment box.
No file chosen
15.If you would like to link to sample menus or photos for reference, please add your link(s) below:
16.What table station supplies will you need the Zoo to provide? Select all that apply.

Note: As a conservation organization, the Zoo requires that supplies be compostable.

Reminder: All guests will be given a compostable butler tray and a wine glass.
Insurance Requirements: I/we represent and warrant that we have at present in force a comprehensive general liability insurance policy including bodily injury liability, property damage liability, and personal injury coverage for this event with coverage in the amount of at least $1,000,000 and will submit the COI with Additional Insured endorsement naming the Conservation Society of California. I/we agree to keep such policy in force at all times during the tenure of this agreement. You may choose any insurance company for this coverage.

Address: attn: Walk in the Wild, 9777 Gold Links Road, Oakland CA, 94605

Failure to provide insurance at least 2 weeks prior to event may result in termination of the event at the sole discretion of the Zoo.
17.If you have your health permit/ABC permit document ready, please upload here.
No file chosen
18.If you have your insurance document ready, please upload here.
No file chosen
19.I understand that in order to participate in the event, I will need to submit my health permit (permit to operate for my facility), liability insurance certificate, and if serving alcohol, my current ABC license (for your facility). All paperwork must be submitted ahead of the event; submission details will be outlined in your confirmation letter.(Required.)
20.If you would like to upload a second file, you may do so here.
No file chosen
Event Access, Responsibilities, and Fine Print:

Oakland Zoo will provide access bracelets (passes) on the day of the event to your staff as arranged pre-event. These will provide identification and access to Walk in the Wild, on Thursday, June 22, 2023. It is not for general admission into the Zoo. Entry into the event implies consent to use the bearer's likeness and/or voice in any film and/or video produced by Oakland Zoo. Photo I.D. will be required

I understand my Walk in the Wild responsibilities are as follows, and commit to bringing:
  • Beverage Vendors: 1,000 sample-size portions of beverages
  • Food vendors: 750 sample-size portions of delicious food selections from my business
  • Cooking/serving equipment, and utensils as necessary
  • Small plates and napkins with my logo if desired
  • Any décor, collateral items, or promotional materials (no balloons; banners and signs may not be posted onto habitats)
  • I understand there are no vendor sales of any kind
  • I understand that this is a green event, and will not hand out single-use plastic items; all sampling utensils, etc. must be compostable
  • I understand that my staff will need to comply with any evolving public health requirements.
  • Parking is limited, please carpool
A copy of this contract will be held by Oakland Zoo security staff. I understand and agree to the Walk in the Wild 2023 policies. All credentials provided will be worn for the event.

The Conservation Society of California hereby represents and warrants that it has secured all applicable state and local alcohol licenses to permit out of state beer importers to sample alcoholic beverages at the Walk in the Wild event. Further, the Conservation Society of California shall indemnify and hold harmless us and our affiliates and employees for any losses as a result of breaching this representation and warranty.
21.I understand and agree to the above terms.(Required.)
22.Do you have any questions or comments about Walk in the Wild? Please add them here.
Thank you for registering to be a part of the 
2023 Walk in the Wild fundraiser for
Oakland Zoo!

You may revisit this form on the same device to change your answers until June 1.

When you are ready, please click the Submit Application button below to submit the form.
Privacy & Cookie Notice