From cotton candy to curry and popcorn to panini, this year’s Art on the Avenue had something for everyone’s taste buds.
Katie Gilespy is 10. When her mom brought her to Art on the Avenue and told her she would be having lunch there, Katie expected “hot dogs and hamburgers and cotton candy — you know, the kind of food that you eat at carnivals,” Katie said. “But there’s lots of stuff here that I never heard of before.”
That’s because there were 17 different food vendors this year. Huascaran offered a variety of food from El Salvador. “The carne asada is great,” said Guadelupe Morales, who came from Maryland for the day. “The food really is authentic and is perfect for outdoor dining because it is great cooked over charcoal.”
Kiwi Kuisine offered vegetarian delights for those who prefer not to eat meat. “When I go to these types of festivals, I always plan to eat ice cream or just have a soft drink,” said Marjorie Smith. “There’s an amazing variety of food here.”
For those who preferred the traditional “carnival” food, the Alexandria Jaycees were there to provide hamburgers, hot dogs and sodas. “There’s nothing like a great hamburger on a fall day at a street fair,” said Tom Norman, who purchased several of each for the children who were with him. “This reminds me of my childhood.”
“This event is the best of what Alexandria is all about,” said Margarita Bonilla. “I moved to this neighborhood because of its diversity, and that diversity is reflected in the food and art and in those who have come to Art on the Avenue. What a great day.”