We spotted teens, tweens and toddlers; a DJ, cornhole sets and giant Jenga; an enterprising OIS student who set up a make-your-own-slime table for kids; we saw old friends and made new ones; we chatted with City Council members, folks from Orinda's Parks & Rec and the Planning Departments who were instrumental in getting this event going; we saw diners grabbing take-out from nearby restaurants and bringing it over to join the fun and Street Feasters heading to Rite Aid for ice cream cones at the end of the night; and we saw Orindans of all ages participating in what was, by every account, community-building in action.
Taste of the World staffers made their own observations, too, and were extremely happy with the turnout and enthusiasm. Among the comments they heard were requests for more kids and vegetarian food options with highly visible signage, more tables in the shade and other suggestions. If you have other comments, please send them to us to be passed along at info@whatsupdowntownorinda.com.
And, drumroll, please...Here is the line up of all different trucks for Thursday, August 24th, 5pm-9pm:
- Grab & Go Kabob (Persian/Iranian cuisine)
- Curbside Kitchen (Filipino-inspired gourmet)
- S&K Wings (Chicken wings and more)
- Ceviche & Co. (Ecuadorian bites)
- Canasta (Mexican)
- Izzy A’s (Ice cream, frozen custard & other treats)
- The Guzzler Bar on Wheels
- Live tunes by Peter Feliciano
August 24th is also OIS's Back to School Night but we hope those with middle-schoolers can still stop by before or after. The City is piloting the program through mid-October, at which point it will decide whether to make this an ongoing event.
Oh, and another great community event is coming up: the annual Orinda Car Show on September 9th. It kicks off with Dancing with the Cars the night before, benefitting many worthy Orinda causes. Buy your tickets!
See you at the Street Feast!
-WUDO