The Gypsy Picnic had over 30 Food Trailers ( Vendors ), live music and perfect weather in Austin, Texas on Nov 6th. The first annual Gypsy Picnic at Auditorium Shores was free to the public on Saturday. The goal of the vendor festival was to let Austinites try a variety of Austin’s popular food trailers.

The thought of going to a food festival and trying many food trailers in one spot on a perfect day is very appealing to many Austinites and foodies from all over. The reality was much different as soon as you walked through the gates. This was predicted by @SweetJohn even before the festival started by saying, “At the last minute my memories of food trailer nightmares stopped me from going. These vendors are not used to crowds.” He was dead on, the vendors could not keep up with the crowds.

Some friends who showed up to the Gypsy Picnic around 11am were ok, they had full reign over the food trailers. From noon until about 6:30pm, lines were crazy, you would wait in an average 1 hour line for on food vendor, some longer than that. I honestly believe if the weather and location were not so great many people would have bailed after walking one time around the packed vendors.

Just by walking around I heard many people say, “I won’t be coming back next year,” and I don’t blame them. Most people saved room in their bellys for this event, meaning most were more than hungry once they got there. Starving and walking into a food festival with 1 to 2 hours lines can inflict unpleasant feelings. Maybe if expectations were set ahead of time the event would not have been so bad to most. If you knew coming into the Gypsy Picnic that lines would be long you could prepare yourself.

Some of the food vendors could have been and need to be better prepared next year. I am sure this happened to hundreds of people, but two people I talked to were in a food line for an hour and then the vendor runs out of food. This was not late in the day, it was around 2pm. Not cool. You would see ‘Sold Out’ stickers on many of the vendors trailers. Offenders I knew about were Cutie Pies, Man Bites Dog, and Pick Up Stixx.

What I Loved: I loved the weather, the people, the dogs, spending time with friends, and the live music. Food wise, my favorite was Gourdough’s, the ‘Flying Pig’ which was a donut with maple syrup with syrup glazed bacon on top of it! I also loved the smile the lady working at the booth of  “Hat Creek Burger Co.” once I got to her…after waiting an hour in line. The food was really a pretty small part of my Gypsy Picnic experience. Still I would say the Austin First Annual Gypsy Picnic was a great addition to Austin’s many festivals.

What was your fav part of Gypsy Picnic?

Friends took 2hrs to park
Advice- charge, more vendors, make sue vendors are efficient, advise parking,
Am I glad I went? Yes good times w patient friends…. But fest failed to make
people happy.
Phone wireless booster for festivals so peole can use phones
“I want to try” is not an option
Any food vendor can gain great exposure & better be ready for fast service. If
ur not efficient don’t come.
Include Nan’s veggie post as a link
Mention I met @BlindedBite

Viva la Vida Fest held by Mexic Arte Museum in Downtown Austin on Congress 10/23/2010.

This Austin Festival celebrates the Day of the Dead or Dia de Los Muertos. The festival brings together all types of Austinites to celebrate life, arts, music & food. Costumes are welcomed in the Dia de Los Muertos vein. There is live music, authentic Mexican food, interesting vendors, art, face painting and more. We had a great time here this year!

Face Painting for Adults and Kids at Viva la Vida Fest:

More Viva la Vida Fest in Austin:

Viva la Vida Fest Photos by Whitehotphoenix

Do512.com’s Viva la Vida Fest Write-up

Viva la Vida Fest Official Facebook Page

Viva la Vida Fest Official Page