Update: Latest from Tran is that the fee structure is not immutable, so some changes to the fee bit are made below!
Then you’re gonna love this! The Fabric Lab is partnering up with the Denver Public Library (DPL) to bring you Frock Out II, a fashion show in the library! And this year, they’ve got a special invitation out to Denver (and Boulder!! Nudge nudge, Comida and StrEat Chefs!) food trucks: They’re going to bag the meters in front of DPL’s central library and want YOU to come out and feed ME US all day long.
The Specs
I just got an email from Tran Wills, one of the organizers outlining some of the deets. I won’t speak for their total unchanging accuracy, but this is what I know so far:
- When: November 18, 2010. The fashion event itself is in the evening, but they want the trucks out in front, generating a buzz all day, from 10am to 9:30pm
- Fees: Trucks will have to pay a fee to reserve a spot, but 100% of that will be donated to support the library’s Fresh City Life programs. The amount of the fee is apparently still being negotiated (see update note above), so contract Tran at thefabriclab at yahoo dot com to learn more and reserve your spot!
- Promotion: The library will be blasting out the word on their mailing list of more than 15,000, plus it’s right in the heart of the city. DPL’s central branch draws thousands of visitors a day, making this a high profile event!
- Carts? I asked Tran if food carts would be welcomed, and got a negatory. Since parking will be right on the street, I’m guessing there’s some sort of legal issue involved in having people setting up. I sure as hell hope trailers are welcomed, though… I’m looking at you, Sugar Lips and EVO Bean!
- Registration: It’s first come, first served, folks. I have no idea how much space they have, but you can email thefabriclab at yahoo dot com to find out more and to reserve your chunk of curb!
Anyway – that’s what I know, street foodies. So, Eaters, mark your calendars, and plan to brave the elements to keep some cash and energy flowing into our street food scene in November.
And Feeders: Will you be there? Let me know in the comments below what you think of the set up and if you think you might try to reserve a spot!
Disclaimer: While I don’t work at Denver Public Library, I am a librarian by day, and so have a bit of a vested interest in seeing this succeed. I love seeing DPL get involved in some of the cool stuff going on in this town, and making even cooler stuff happen! YAY DPL! YAY Street Food! YAY Fabric Lab!
We’re a “feeder” Let’s put this together and do a bit of math…$200 bucks just to participate for a single day, in mid-November with unpredictable weather? I hope food trucks will pause…on a monthly basis that’s $6000 in rent. Ouch. Food Trucks/carts, it’s up to us to be sure we’re not encouraging event planners to inflate their fees. Fabric lab, I like that you’re thinking about food carts, but understand that we’re taking on a risk to cater your event at no charge to your organization…as well as being asked to put up a big chunk of our potential profits.
Eric – I totally agree with you that with the weather weirdness that is Colorado in November, $200 seems a bit steep. But hey! I’m an eater and am not in the restaurant biz, so couldn’t be sure. Regardless, please note that Tran has responded by asking me to adjust the wording to indicate that the fee structure is not set in stone and that they’re still trying to work out a lot of the specifics of the event. So hopefully something that is sure to be mutually beneficial will be coming out soon. Regardless – contact Tran and learn what you can! Trucks are welcome to report back here to let us know what you learn!