Food vendors thriving at FIFA fan festival in Hastings Park

Food and beverage vendors at Vancouver's FIFA fan festival in Hastings Park are having a brisk week, with long lineups forming before major matches and crowds flowing through the site since it opened June 11.

Karl Gregg, owner of Rosie's BBQ and Smokehouse, was preparing roast chicken, brisket and smoked specialties Wednesday ahead of the noon kickoff between Canada and Switzerland. "It's going to be nuts — and that's good," he said. "With festivals, you get the highs and lows. You get a break when it's a little bit low, and you get to recharge and get ready for the high." Gregg runs both a tent and a food trailer at the site and described the festival space as beautiful, particularly the grassy hill that fills up during matches.

A short distance away, Sophia Quintero and her two staff at La Taqueria Pinche Taco Shop were making taco after taco for customers dressed in red and white. "It's going good, especially on days when Mexico or Canada plays," she said. "Those are the two countries that bring out the most people here. So there's good days and bad days. But I think it's as expected."

The festival site features a newly built amphitheatre with three large viewing screens, packed for major matches. Smaller screens are positioned throughout the grounds. Tickets are required for seated amphitheatre access, though a first-come, first-serve standing room-only area at the front can accommodate 2,600 people free of charge. The neighbourhood food section includes La Taqueria, Rosie's BBQ and Smokehouse, Paella Guys, NUBA, Riz Sushi, ChouChou Crepes, Peacock by Vij's and Munchi German Foods. Dozens of food trucks and kiosks line the sloping hill toward the amphitheatre. Daily entertainment from performers such as Los Dorados, Sam Roberts and Jake Vaadeland takes place on various stages.