The 38th Annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival gets underway the weekend of July 17-19, starting off on Friday afternoon with musicians performing from all over the world through Sunday night. This is one of my favourite music festivals, I have attended 30+ festivals over the years! Each year, as much as I look forward to the music I also look forward to the food.
Get ready to enjoy the food and the music!
Here is a run-down of what to eat at the fest:
Chicken Karagge and the Kabocha Sandwich
Aussie Pie Guy
Twitter @AussiePieGuy
Experience the tasty side of Down Under with just one bite of these delicious savory & sweet pies in flaky pastry crust.
Big Rock Beer Garden
Chill out between workshops with your buddies and a cold, refreshing brew or glass of wine.
B & B Concessions
Sample a tempting array of crepes. They pair perfectly with a day of great folk music!
Canada El Salvador Action Network Society (CELSAN)
Delicious pupusas and tamales will rock your taste buds! Wash them down with delicious fruit juices from Latin America.
Cheyenne Coffee
Conveniently located near the food circle and Main Stage, fresh-brewed coffee and other great beverages will wake you up, cool you off – or energize your dance moves.
Cupacorn
Twitter @cupacorn
Tender-steamed sweet corn kernels in a cup, enhanced with wasabi ginger, Thai peanut satay, Indian spices, cinnamon dessert, and “classic”. Come taste!!!
Dim Sum Express
Twitter @dim_sum_express
Your taste buds will say “yum yum for dim sum” – stir-fried savory noodles, plump shrimp & pork dumplings, and “house-made” spring rolls!!!
Earnest Ice Cream
Twitter @Earnesticecream
Hand-crafted ice cream that is a wildly popular Vancouver favourite. Definitely a fest “must-have”!
Kettle Popcorn (Etc. Concessions)
Munch delish flavoured and seasoned kettle popcorn along to the music at any festival stage. One, two, crunch, munch!
G’s Donairs
Mouth-watering donairs with Greek salad, pita with tsatziki, hummus. One bite and you’ll say “Opa!” all day!
I’s Lemonade & Bubble Tea
Refreshing, fresh-squeezed lemonade and bubble-icious bubble teas – a brand new addition to the festival menu.
Insomniac’s Coffee Co.
Fresh-brewed coffee, smooth creamy lattes, and other sumptuous hot beverages can be found right over the bridge adjacent to the pond.
It’s All About Grill
Tasty meat skewers: garlic chicken, rib-eye beef, spicy pork, and bacon-wrapped sausage. Fun to eat, and oh-so good.
Jamaican Mi Juicy
Twitter @JamaicanMiJuicy
Luscious and spicy jerk chicken, Jamaican patties, and cool flavorful smoothies!
JJ’s Hotcobs
Your fest experience would not be complete without at least one order of roasted corncob slathered in melted butter and flavored with some fancy salt!
The Kaboom Box
Twitter @TheKaboomBox
Andy and his gang make really “kick ass” local, sustainable, and yummy eats. Try the salmon – it’s amazing!
Left Coast Naturals
Twitter @LeftCoastFoods
A festival favourite! Innovative & creative snack foods: coconuts, mixed chips, and organic almonds.
Mediterranean BBQ
Sensational grilled chicken, Merguez sausage, and paella. Pablo & Co. have been serving delicious food at the festival for over a decade.
Mexi Pops
Twitter @mexipops
Eating frozen fruit is a fabulous way to cool off. Sample from a glorious array of mango, pineapple with shredded coconut, and other fruits. Go on, give yourself a treat!
Mogu Foods
Twitter @EatMogu
Japanese street food that’s bursting with flavor! Try the crispy chicken karaage nuggets and savory sandwiches of pork katsu, chicken teriyaki, prawn katsu, and more.
New Taste Wraps
Chicken, beef, and falafel pitas with fresh and crisp veggies. Find them adjacent to the Beer Garden – ready to deliver a perfect complement to whatever bevvie you fancy.
Nomad’s Kitchen
A comfort food haven! David and his team serve up delectable, nutritious, flavorful food: from Algerian chicken and curries to homemade chai and fair trade coffees.
Salt Spring Coffee
Twitter @SS_Coffee
Festival sponsor Salt Spring Coffee serves an array of delicious fair-trade coffee beverages for your deep and profound enjoyment.
Sweet Thea Bakery
Twitter @SweetTheaMarket
European-trained pastry chef and chocolatier Thea (pronounced Tay-uh) makes amazing cakes, pies, cookies, macarons, and other baked delectables. Calling all sweet tooths!
Taser Sandwiches
Twitter @tasersandwich
Golden-grilled sarnies with gourmet fillings make for a festival taste treat!
Taste of Thailand
Enjoy a plate of pad thai, chicken curries, spring rolls, and other amazing Thai food.
Tin LIzzy
Have some delicious perogies and keilbasa in the Food Area, or visit their new fresh-cut fries tent next to the Beer Garden. It’s all lip-smackin’ goooood.
Varinicey Pakoras
Twitter @freshpakoras
Christopher makes remarkable pakoras, samosas, and vegetable curries. Try some comforting chai tea and refreshing mango lassie beverages, too!
Whales Tales Fry Bread
A time-honored part of the VFMF experience: crispy fried dough with a choice of sweet and savory toppings. Make it part of your tradition.
Yak & Yeti Bistro
Twitter @yakyetibistro
Nepalese and Himalayan cuisine – a delectable taste adventure. Come try!
The festival offers up a multi-cultural mix of food offerings to match their global mix of music. If you haven’t already got tickets to the festival make sure you do so before the festival begins.
By: Richard Wolak