Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I would like to host an ice cream social in my neighborhood park.  This is where I would provide free ice cream to people who have completed a survey I am conducting.  I was "thinking" of charging others, who did not take the survey.  Seems pretty easy...I rent an ice cream cart and serve people myself or I higher one of the ice cream merchants out here to have their employee do it (since they are already licensed for this type of thing).  After looking on my city`s website, it appears that I will need to apply for a special event permit (not a problem) proof of insurance (okay now this sounds like it could be quite pricey) and some other stuff (now I am going down a slippery slope). 

For those of you who have done a similar type of promotion (proving free goodies and such in a public park) did you research all the info regarding to your locality and comply with everything?  I just posted a similar (and more lengthily) post on the Marketing Forum.  I would like to know how a small, modest business (that has not earned a dime yet) can afford to comply with all that is required from a locality.  There is a local church in my area that has cook outs and stuff for the neighborhood, in the neighborhood park.  However, they are a non profit organization and don`t have to apply to the same things I would (even though the event I am conducting will likely be free to everyone).  I have a feeling that the church does not have insurance when they do these things (I could be wrong).  I certainly know they don`t have police officers, fire trucks, and such standing by like bigger venues.  But when I look at my localities site, it seems like one would have to arrange for these things when conducting a special event. 
Any  thoughts on how to go about this, not get fined, and not end up spending all my money, which will defeat the purpose of a grass roots start up?
Thanks.

In this day and age, anything to do with food, crowds and public places is going to be a paperwork nightmare. You would probably need a dedicated back end staff with some expertise to do that or use an agency. Either way expensive and a headache, thats what the world is coming to now, sad in a way.
How about giving away free promo items like T shirts or a free prize draw entry.