Eat, Drink, and Get REAL: First Annual Oakland Eat Real Fest Hits the Streets

The San Francisco Street Food Festival last Saturday was only a sample of the excitement in store for real food fans this weekend as the first annual Eat Real Festival gets underway this weekend in Oakland.  Food, beer, music, and contests are planned for a 3-day celebration that encourages a healthy and sustainable alternative to our typical fast food lifestyles.

When and Where

The festivities begin this Friday, August 28, at 4:00 and will continue through the weekend with full days of food and fun events on Saturday and Sunday.  Jack London Square in Oakland, CA is the center of all the action.  Detailed directions can be found here.

Why Eat Real?

Chemicals and additives found in most of the foods we choose are contributing to mounting health problems, obesity, and an overall unhealthy society.  Natural and organic options can change that, while also improving our environment as well as local economies.  The Eat Real Festival shows just how easy it can be to make healthier choices by preparing 'fast food' with natural, sustainable ingredients whenever possible.  

Participating vendors have agreed to use at least one local ingredient and the festival supports more than 200 local and regional businesses.  Not only are you making a healthier choice for yourself and the environment by Eating Real, you're also putting money back into the local economy!

What's Happening?

The festival kicks off Friday at 4 with an ice cream extravaganza.  The Bay Area's best creameries will offer a taste of some of the best frozen creations around, featuring nearly a dozen local businesses.  Other first day events include:

• Edible Pursuit: A creative game of fun food trivia;
• Foraging and Canning: Gain canning tips from local experts, swap canned goodies with other guests, and show off your own skills in the Yes I Canned contest - including a kids' canning category;
• Live Jazz from Ever Jazz and Anton Schwartz

Saturday and Sunday, it's all about the food.  Indulge your taste buds with nearly 50 local food carts and trucks, serving up everything from tacos and BBQ to coffee and sweets, or stop by the Good-to-Go market for fresh produce and homemade fares from dozens of Bay Area farmers.

Watch local butchers compete in the butchery contest on Saturday or learn from some of the area's leading chefs in cooking demonstrations throughout the weekend, including kid-friendly demos each day.  Live music performances are available on the music stage while the Curbside Cinema offers an outdoor movie experience Friday and Saturday night.

Don't miss the Beer Shed - featuring the best microbrews available.  The Beer Shed will be open throughout the festival and requires tickets that may be purchased in advance for $20 or at the event for $25.  Check out a PDF version of the Eat Real Festival schedule here.

Costs and More Info

Admission is free and includes free access to all the demonstrations, workshops, music, and movies.  Street vendors will offer their fares at reasonable prices, ranging from $1 to $5.  Beer shed tickets ($20 to $25) include 8 tastings, as well as a souvenir glass.  Festival proceeds will benefit local charities, including La Cocina, People's Grocery, and Community Alliance with Family Farmers.

The Eat Real Festival has also arranged several Keeping it Real Dinners, pairing premier Bay Area restaurants with local, nonprofit organizations to create mouthwatering menus that assist the growth of sustainable local foods.  Visit the Eat Real Fest website for more information about the weekend's events, to buy tickets, or for details on volunteering. 

 Images via Eat Real, Sam's Chowderhouse, Cole Canyon Farms

Eat Real in California This August

Bay Area residents and visitors can indulge themselves this weekend and next with organic food, live music, beer, and more when the real food revolution hits the streets.  This Saturday, August 22nd, enjoy the San Francisco Street Food Festival from 11AM to 7PM.  Next weekend, head over to Oakland for 3 days of real food celebrations during the 2009 Eat Real Festival.

San Francisco Street Food Festival

Fun and food for a good cause is what the first Street Food Festival is all about.  Enjoy a full day of eating, drinking, and playing during the public block party on Folsom Street.  Admission is free and profits will benefit La Cocina, a non-profit organization that provides resources and support to budding food entrepreneurs.  

Things to do:

• Food, food, and more food: From small, local vendors to first class chefs, the streets will be filled with food and drinks from around the world.  17 different vendors will offer their fares - all selections under $8, including hotdogs and ice cream sundaes, plantain cakes and tacos, vegetarian dishes, handcrafted cocktails, and more!
• Win a dream; encourage entrepreneurship: Personalized fine dining experiences, luxury vacations, and private cooking classes are up for bid during the silent auction to benefit La Cocina.  Bidding is currently underway online and will close on the 27th.
• Indulge in the arts: Local artists and musicians will supply entertainment throughout the day with roving performances and street exhibits.
• Kiddie play: The Street Food Festival is a family event, including plenty of interactive fun in the hands-on play area for children.

To really experience all the Street Food Festival has to offer, purchase a food & drink passport and leave your cash at home.  Passports range from $25 to $150 and can be used at any vendor -free food and drink offers are included with passports over $50!  Visit the San Francisco Street Food Festival website for more info.

We'll have more details on the 3-day events of the Eat Real Festival in Oakland next Wednesday - be sure to order your beer shed tickets early!

Images: SF Street Food Photo Contest