The food vendors at the Mariposa Folk Festival are hard at work this weekend.
With more than 20 vendors, the cravings of music fans are bound to be fulfilled.
El Gringo’s Cantina, a Mexican restaurant from Torrance, is making its first appearance at the festival this weekend. Owner Jesse Smith says it's a big opportunity for his business.
"We are definitely trying to get our name out there," he said. "We are a newer business, so this is great for that."
On Friday evening, Smith was ecstatic to see a lengthy lineup in front of his food tent.
"So far, it's been non-stop," he said. "Everyone is happy, and we are loving it here."
Going into the folk festival, Smith wasn't how well the business would do.
"We prepped as much as we could, hoping for the best. We haven't been sleeping this week very much while getting ready," he said.
He employed a few extra people for what is one of the busiest weekends of the year for his restaurant.
"We have a wedding that we are catering on Saturday," he said. "I had to bring in my brother for the weekend and pull some family strings to get us through."
Lemon Heaven, a lemonade stand, has been at the Mariposa Folk Festival for more than 20 years. Owner Krysta Ashford says the weekend serves as a "family reunion" for the business.
"We love meeting the families and seeing kids that we have served over the years all grown up," she said.
When Lemon Heaven first started at the event, the festival warmly welcomed the business.
"Every year since, it's never disappointed," Ashford said. "This is a laid-back group. Everyone is willing to wait for the product, and they are friendly."
She says locally sourced ingredients are the key to success.
"It's a family business, so we care about the product that goes across the counter," she said. "We care about the people on the other side of the counter."
She says the vendors at the festival work together each year.
"Everyone is enjoying the music, but we are all working hard," she said. "We want everyone to succeed, and everyone does. That's why people keep coming back and other vendors are trying to get into the event."
Amy Tanaka, from Toronto, enjoyed chicken yakisoba from Tokyo Angels on Friday.
"I really love noodles," she said. "I wanted something with vegetables and protein, so I'm glad I found that."
She says those attending the festival are "kind of spoiled" with all the food options.
"There is a lot of good stuff here," she said. "I'm excited to try the Flying Chestnut Kitchen next."
Tanaka says the food prices at the festival are reasonable; her chicken yakisoba cost $20, plus tax.
"I think it's kind of fair for the amount of food I got," she said. "I'm also used to Toronto pricing, which might skew my judgment."
Paul Dillion, from Toronto, had wood-fired pizza from Bread Heads on Friday.
"I came into this wanting pizza. When I walked in, it was like the first thing I saw," he said.
He says the festival has everything one could need on its food vendor lineup.
"There is sushi, Thai food, and lots of vegetarian options," he said. "It's really good."
He says the pricing is average when compared to other music festivals he's been to.
"A lot of things are $20," he said. "It's a little expensive, but that's how these things work."
