Vendors and nonprofits warn Red Lion fee could curb craft fairs, organizers say

Vendors and community organizations told the Red Lion Borough Planning Commission on Feb. 24 that a proposed transient/vendor license fee would burden local fundraising and neighborhood events.

LuAnn Hildebrand, a vendor who attends craft and vendor fairs, said the Borough’s proposed additional license fee “will have a negative effect on these types of events,” and that vendors already pay table fees of $20–$50 to participate. Jennie Donahue, who organized a November 2024 vendor market at Grounding Café, said organizers had two days’ notice and ultimately paid the fee themselves rather than pass it to participants; she argued the fee would hinder efforts by small businesses and community groups to raise funds.

The Commission reviewed a draft exemption proposed by borough counsel that would exempt IRS-defined nonprofits from the fee for a limited number of events per calendar year but would still require a permit. Atty. Craley said, “the event coordinator may get one permit for all vendors for each event,” a provision intended to reduce paperwork for event hosts. Several attendees urged the Commission to raise the proposed cap (the draft set two events per calendar year per location; some speakers suggested four).

Commissioners and staff said the Borough needs rules to prevent exploitation of an exemption, but also must balance administrative burden on small nonprofits and churches. Commissioners voted to table further action pending additional research and revisions to the draft ordinance.

Next steps: Borough staff and the solicitor will refine the draft and the Commission will revisit the ordinance after further review and outreach to affected groups.