Fall for the Arts Festival & Street Food Event

I had a great time at Fall for the Arts! We were able to get in and park with ease just before 12pm. Everything was just getting started when we arrived so we had space to browse all the booths and meet the great people working for all the organizations. We found out about some new places to catch a play or concert and were reminded of other places we’ve heard of but never had the chance to try. A highlight was the Caribbean group parading through the festival in beautiful Carnival-​style costumes and upbeat music getting the crowd in a good mood.
The food truck «row» was packed by the time we had looped around the stands. We sampled the pork belly sandwich from Michael’s which was great and freshly made. The Latin House Grill sampler platter was sadly disappointing, it seemed as though it had been put together ahead of time and the chips and taco shells weren’t crunchy but the puffy beef thing was really good. We tried a chicken taco from Nacho Mama’s that was sort of meh. Jefe’s was the place I really wanted to try but I couldn’t take the 1 hour line in the hot sun. A banana split gelato from Sweetness hit the spot and the key lime pie and coconut pie at Fireman Derek’s were both soooo good!
Yeah it was hot and it got pretty crowded but I was overall very pleased with the event. It was free, there was great music and we had a great time sampling the food trucks’ offerings, even if some didn’t meet expectations. We’ll be back next year, better prepared for the heat!

…======…
[MMMMMMMM]
[MMMMMMMM]
M !! M
M !! M
M_._._!!_._._M
MMMM.MMMM
MMMM.MMMM
((Oo:oO))
(((((((((())))))))))
UU UU
I had a great time!
Food trucks stood their ground but few of them were a little overwhelmed.
Can’t wait to catch them in their natural environment. The Hunt is on!
Where can I find this twitter?! They all seem to go there… FOllow for daily locations.

I went, I saw… would I go back next year? prop not.
The day was insanely hot! although I was looking forward to trying some of the food trucks specially jefe’s, the lines were so big… I was strongly discouraged and decided not to. The only thing I was able to try were their red velvet cupcake, which was ok.
The rest of the event seemed kinda chaotic. I wish it would have been better organized.

I am glad that a good number of people got to experience Fall of the Arts. I really enjoyed it but I would agree that some improvements should be in the works for next year. First of all, being a person that has worked in a non profit organization and also attended a similar event three or four years ago called Invitation to the Arts at the then Jackie Gleason Theatre, I have something to share with Amber and Hannah.
First of all, all of these non profit organizations have $ 0 budgets to spend in marketing, Therefore, they have to rely on either bartering their services or on their creative minds to market their organization. Some of them have not been to an event as this one before so maybe they did not know what to expect. That is why probably some of the booths where not inviting. Also some non profits hire interns to do either their administrative or technical work. It is really hard work. I know I used to work in one. I agree that some booths needed help in marketing but others did great in promoting their season lineup which I was excited on some of them.
Yes, the day was sweltering hot and doing it outside and in the afternoon was really tiresome. I was really happy that VitaminWater were giving out water samples but I had to wait in line in the heat for about 15 minutes (which seemed like an hour) until they refilled their containers with more water bottles then the line went by pretty fast.
I suggest that the event should have been done on a Friday night from 6 – 9 p.m. Indoors at the Arsht Center would have been fantastic but I don’t know how much space or the logistics they had to work with to house the organizations. I understand why they did it by the Arsht Center since they house most of Broadway in Miami performances.
I got so much information from many arts organizations. I was very happy. The entertainment was not that good as I was paying more attention to the booths than what was on stage. Also, as I got there, I was informed of a children’s area at the Arsht Pavilion I wanted to go but at the end of it I totally forgot about it. Since it was at the Arsht Center itself. There were not many signs or something that lured me to go over there. I wanted to taste something from the food trucks but the lines were so long and crowded in that area that I retrieved myself and ate somewhere else.
As I went back to the parking garage, I got the shock of my life. I always park in the garage at the back of the Arsht Center. It was around 11:30 a.m. and I paid $ 5. When I got back to my car, the garage jacked up the price to $ 15 for anyone who was going to park there. Although I was relieve of not paying that price but I really want to suggest at least for this event since it is free, to have more affordable parking. Paying $ 10-​$ 15 on parking on a Sunday for a free event is just too high.
All in all, I did have a good time but indeed it needs more improvements in the years to come.

This was a great way to spend a Sunday! I can’t say much for parking as I was fortunate to be able to walk from home. It was well organized and simple enough, not overwhelming.
This was Food truck heaven! I arrived early and did avoid most of the long lines. I don’t think people went for the arts so much as they did for the food. I was saddened by the amont of paper trash all over the place (flyers, newspapers, brochures, etc). I agree with the other review that they should do more than just pass out information.
All in all, this was fun! Hope they do it again next year!

I’m with Hannah on this one…
It was a SUPER DUPER hot day (until the threatening clouds rolled in…) which kind of took the energy out of my enthusiasm for delicious food. Nonetheless, we did get to try a couple of different food trucks and wandered around some booths. I would have liked to see/​hear more than read and get info, but I guess that wasn’t really the point. I went with two other people, Tom and Vanessa, so it was easier to share the different culinary options. I think a better idea would also be what Hannah suggested — smaller portions for smaller $$ so we can try more of the deliciousness!
It was nice to see some fellow Unilocalers and get reviews on what to try/what’s worth the wait.
I look forward to a better event next year :)

I so wanted to love this event — I was totally thrilled that the food trucks of Miami were coming together en masse! Don’t get me wrong, I do care about the arts … but admittedly, I was more excited for the food.
Unfortunately it wasn’t quite what I expected. It was HOT today — hot as hell. While this obviously wasn’t under the Center’s control, there was one tent where people could converge to eat and find share, and it was woefully short on seating. Maybe 100 chairs at a 500+ plus person event (rough estimates of course :). Cranky, sweaty people were battling it out for seats and shade. Probably would have made more sense to have this event at night, given the temps during the day.
There were a nice convergence of food trucks, and it was fabulous to have them all to choose from. I went with Jefe’s — as I’ve been dying to track this one down. Unfortunately it was one of the more popular spots, and we waited on line for 20 minutes+ in the hot, hot sun. Painful. Luckily, the tacos were delicious, and it was worth the wait. (Would have been nice if someone had been selling beer, too!)
After we ate, we wandered for a few, looking at booths. I did enjoy seeing all the arts options across the city showcasing themselves in one arena though — smart idea. So much to choose from in the Magic City!
The music was ok, I didn’t really pay much attention unless I was too close to the stage and it got super loud.
All in all, I just think the overall setup of this event could have been improved. For example — smaller food samplings from each truck for lower prices (or a flat rate), so we could have tried more. Also, maybe the different arts groups could have put on more demos — live shows, etc. There was music and I did hear a barbershop quartet singing, but I just think it would have been nice to visually see more of the artistic offerings.
Apparently they had workshops and some other events happening, but we didn’t really get into the nitty gritty of all that — we were more of a casual visitor. I think it’s very cool that they offer these opportunities, however!
Bravo to the Arsht Center for putting things like this together, I’d probably just suggest some logistical changes next time.

I decided to check out the festival because of the food trucks — and because I’m a fan of one of the musical groups that performed, Palo.
It was a ridiculously hot day, and walking around with sweat dripping was not the most fun. It’s tough to want to try burgers, tacos, and pork when it feels like 150 degrees outside.
Nonetheless, I think they did a good job, especially being that it was the first year and they got a good turnout.
Here are things I would change in the coming years:
— Food trucks need more space. My one gripe about the good truck area was the mass of people. The lines were just kinda jumbled and all over the place. Since the trucks are such a big draw — give them more space to have lines *and* still leave room for people to walk around.
— Water. Yes, there was a vitamin water stand giving away free bottles. But once they left, where was I supposed to buy something to drink? Oh yeah, stand in the 15 minute line in the food truck area and hope they have something left. Maybe add some «drinks only» vendors to help with the heat.
— Booths. Although I understand the point is to give more exposure to local arts organizations, that didn’t really translate well when you just give them booths and let them hand out fliers I’m only going to use to fan myself. Maybe let them perform? Use that smaller black box area inside the Arsht Ctr, and have them put on short performances… have them SHOW us why we should care about them. I thought I’d get to browse some actual art in booths (a la Carnival on the Mile)… so I was disappointed in that sense.
— Seating tent. If you’re not going to have more seats (I don’t expect them to have chairs for everyone) — then at least put huge fans under the seating tent so people can cool down.
I’ll be there next year… I love the arts, I love that area of town, and I’m glad the space got used for something for the masses.

Ugh it was a HOT day out so I really could not appreciate this even at all. The one thing I was thinking about is the sweat dripping off me. Checked out a few of the food trucks, they don’t seem to have a huge variety of choices. Went over to Michael’s Genuine was excited to see what he was offering. When I got there is was a pork sandwich with jalepeno jelly. That is all? Sorry I don’t eat pork. My friend for a 9 oz frozen lemonade for $ 2 she said it was good. I bought a small bag $ 3 of kettle corn from Dickey Dods. It was good, nothing special. I was so thirsty at this point I went over to vitamin water stand was curious at 1:00 to see what they were offering. 0 calorie vitamin water sounded really good, but they said they were warm and to come back in 15 minutes. It was so hot I couldn’t last 15 more seconds so we opted to head out after 45 minutes:(

This event was absolutely wonderful! It was not perfect, as few things are, but all in all, I was in heaven here! I loved it all!
The backdrop biscayne blvd was gorgeous, the performances were lovely and the music just kept my hips moving the entire time. It was great to try the different food trucks. There were about 15 of them. They all definitely made a killing and I am so happy for them to have had this chance to get their name out there, too. I think they are a great addition to this city and definitely a trend that will only grow larger.
I loved that this event had two stages, an adult center stage and then a side stage that was family oriented and had more cultural performances. The Japanese drummers were phenomenally cool –awesome rhythms and great energy! The Peruvian Expression group had me in a complete trance the whole time. I loved all of the different rhythms and that singers voice was just divine! I could listen to it all day. Whether she was talking or singing, she just had this magnetic charm about her. Oh, and the Junkanoo parade hit the spot, too. Great constumes and great energy and pull factor, too! The crowd loved it!
The kids seemed to have some really cool crafts that, admittedly, I wished I could’ve snuck in and done with them ;). The arts booths were great because I was able to learn about new galleries and new programs and sign up for some great mailing lists. On top of that, the give-​a-​ways were great! Tote bags, folders, pocket fans, discount tickets, and more! As simple as it was, I have to say the Vitamin Water give-​a-​way was my fav! Genius! Pure freakin’ genius! There was actually a fair amount of seating if you knew where to look, too.
So, the downside… surprisingly, neither parking nor traffic is on the list. Traffic was fine. My only complaint about parking is that they pulled a fast one and charged $ 10 parking for this «free» event. However, for the quick and savvy, like my dear Claudia J., you know there is parking on the very very nearby 1^st Ave and 1^st Ct at regular meter price. Hellloo! Ok, and the other downside, the main walkway was lined with trucks, which initially seemed great, but it was far too congested in the end. I hope they develop a new solution for that. Also, the big beast today was the unbearable HEAT! Please, guys, move this to October or at least late September. Either way, I’m there!
Three hours there was perfect, although I would’ve been fine with staying longer, too, because the rhythms were just so wonderful! Getting there at 12:30 had us eating with virtually no lines!

what a HUGE event. What a big turnout,. What a bloody hot day!!!
I am so happy that this event happened.
I found some total gems that I am totally checking out after coming here.
Some of you know, I’m a mom of two boys. So when you say «YAY the price of admission to such and such a show is reasonable at $ 50 (and up). If I want to bring my kids I have to triple that price of admission. Your $ 50 becomes $ 150 to me.
So today I discovered a theater group I never heard of in Miami Springs who are putting on a production called The Brother’s Grimm Spectaculathon. Where the actors try to combine all two hundred and nine stories. Sounds like fun and only $ 10 admission. Hell yeah!!! I’m going to make that one!
And my old faithful The Playhouse Theater in Miami Shores were there. An awesome family oriented theater with some original shows.
I also discovered that the Miami Science Museum are planning on moving from their current location to just right over the bridge to between the Artsch Center and the Heat Arena. God bless them. And what a happy chatty enthusiastic person they had working their booth today.
of course I had to drop in and say hello to fellow Unilocalers Annette and James manning their Life is Art booth.
Despite the heat we stayed there and caught bits and pieces of some of the performers. The Junkanoo group where my son declared «I’m deaf, I’m deaf». The drummers. The Peruvian group who got the crowd on their feet.
And I’m totally impressed that the vendors did not rip off the crowd. Many places had water on sale for $ 1 (just what you would pay on any 95 interchange)
And how awesome was it to see so many of our much talked about food trucks in one spot. The lines were incredible!!! Seriously! We got there at about 1:30…stayed until about 3p.m. and then went for a dander around town and came back at about between 5p. m and 5:30 and the lines were still 10 deep.