The Braid StrEAT Food Experience is returning to Sapperton on the Victoria Day long weekend.
More than two dozen food trucks are expected to attend the two-day event that’s running on May 21 and 22 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 97 Braid St. – the parking lot next to the Braid SkyTrain station. Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, a smaller drive-thru version of the event was held at the site in an effort to support food truck operators who were struggling financially through the pandemic and to raise money for the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.
“People have been asking for the event to return since it stopped last year,” said organizer Guy Ciprian. “With the absence of many long weekend events this year, like the Cloverdale Rodeo, we thought it would be a good time to try it again and raise some more funds for the RCHF.”
Ciprian said about 25 food trucks and some local merchandise vendors are expected to attend the upcoming event, which is being hosted by the Sapperton Business Association. Partial proceeds will be donated to the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.
Launched on Canada Day 2020, the Braid StrEAT Food Experience ran on designated weekends for nearly a year. It came to an end when public health ordered changed that made it expensive to operate and attendance dropped because more businesses were beginning to open up.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, past events were a drive-thru format, but this time round the people will be able access the food trucks by foot, bike, car or transit. Organizers are inviting people to bring their own blanket or lawn chair or to tailgate at the event.
“This is a long overdue chance for New Westminster and the Sapperton community to come together and celebrate,” Ciprian said. “A chance to try some fun and amazing food from several food trucks all in one location.”
According to Ciprian, the Sapperton Business Association is hosting the event and has invited its local merchants to participate, as well as some vendors from past Sapperton Day events.
“We have interest from over 25 food trucks and several merchants and vendors,” he said in an email to the Record. “I will have a better list closer to the date.”
Ciprian said past events raised nearly $7,000 for the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.
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