Local restaurants gear up for Mt. Airy’s Street Fare

Mt. Airy’s Street Fare is a mere two days away and local restaurants are busy preparing to showcase the neighborhood’s offerings. The food event is being put on by Mt. Airy USA (MAUSA) and takes place Thursday, Sept. 19 from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. along the 7000 and 7100 blocks of Germantown Avenue.

Street Fare is Mt. Airy USA’s rebranding of The Food Trust’s popular Night Market food festival. Night Market first came to Mt. Airy in 2011 and was so successful, MAUSA partnered with The Food Trust to bring it back for a second time in 2012. This year, MAUSA is shouldering the entire responsibility for putting on a food festival and is looking to make it a signature neighborhood happening.

43 participating food vendors will set up along Germantown Avenue from Mt. Airy Avenue to Sedgwick Street.

MAUSA’s Executive Director, Anuj Gupta says he anticipates attendance to reach 10,000.

The food and drink

Seven local eateries will take part in the festivities: Avenida, Trolley Car Diner, Jyoti Indian Bistro, Little Jimmie’s Bakery Cafe, Herb Scott Catering, Earth Bread + Brewery and the Wine Thief Bistro.

Among the 35 confirmed food trucks who will be at Street Fare are Night Market favorites Foo Truck, Los Taquitos de Puebla and Surf and Turf, plus local vendors Mini Trini, Pitruco Pizza and Zsa’s Gourmet Ice Cream.

Entertainment

Two performance stages will feature live local music from Sharon Katz & The Peace Train, Li’l Pookie & the Zydeco Sensations, Lisa Chavous, Gin Canaries and The GTVs.

Football fans can dine and cheer on their “Iggles” during the simulcast of the Eagles versus the Kansas City Chiefs, which will be shown at 7048 Germantown Avenue.

MAUSA has brought back Renaissance Craftables for Street Fare’s artisan vendor component.

For those with small children, a baby-care tent with nursing chairs and diaper changing tables will be located at Mt. Airy Presbyterian Church. The church will also offer family fun such as kiddie yoga, temporary tattoos, food jewelry craft, drawing activities, as well as an open play area on the lawn.

Parking

Those traveling to Street Fare by car, can find parking at designated self-park lots at the Lutheran Theological Seminary which can be accessed from Gowen Avenue. Parking will also be available at Valley Green Bank and the public parking lot on NewCourtland’s campus, located on Carpenter Lane.

Showcasing Mt. Airy

One of the primary goals of Street Fare is to provide a boost to local businesses, particularly food establishments.

Gupta says he hopes Street Fare patrons will come away with a sense of what’s happening in Mt. Airy’s restaurant community.

“It’s really growing, it’s really thriving and it’s becoming very diverse. I think you’ll get a taste of that,” he said.