Curbside Culture

From the Belleville Chamber of Commerce:

As you may know we have had to drastically modify our approach to the Belleville Waterfront & Multicultural Festival this year and have cancelled all activities taking place in the park.  We have created a few small events, keeping in mind new health regulations, which will give the population something to look forward to amidst so many special event postponements and cancellations.

For 42 years, Belleville has been celebrating its diverse culture through a food event and this year, we are stepping back in time to the era of the ‘80s Folklorama Festival and reviving the “Passport” with “Curbside Culture” from Friday July 10^th to Sunday 12^th.

So far, we have 10 countries represented … Caribbean, China, Germany, Holland, India, Italy, Mexico, China, Syria Thailand, and Tibet.  There are a number of foods from Europe or the Mediterranean we’d love to include – and we have room for four (4) more participants (one of which may be distinctly Canadian).

If you’re interested in becoming a part of this year’s Curbside Culture event, please read through the specific requirements and complete this quick “expression of interest” questionnaire.  Your submission will qualify as your entry.  We will review all expressions of interest and confirm our additional 4 on Wednesday, June 10.

Key criteria

• This is a take-out format only to meet Covid-19 health regulations (curbside)
• Available to participate at least 2 of 3 days (see below)
• Menu must be connected to a particular culture/country
  • Exclusive to this event
  • Less than $10
  • 2 – 3 features only
• Contribution of $50 (gift certificate to your restaurant/cash)
  • Sales remain with restaurant
• You need at least 1 person onsite to direct people into lines, and control the social distancing rules
• Create ambiance (music/flags/décor) to entertain while people are in line

Please complete the questionnaire by  Friday June 5^th at noon

If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact Susan Walsh – Special Events Coordinator, #613-962-4597, Ext #2, or [email protected].

Here are more details:  

• Your menu items can include appetizers, soup, main course or dessert or any combination thereof
  • Keep in mind that people are used to getting a (small) meal often including dessert for $10 … we need to remember there are many people at the moment who are not working and we want to be inclusive
  • Having bottled water available is an easy sale at $1 … if you watch for sales from now until July to stock up, you can guarantee a great profit margin on that item
• A sign must be posted onsite with the items listed and pricing at your location so the public can clearly see your menu options when they arrive
• Dates & Hours* (subject to change slightly)
  • Friday July 10^th, 11am to 7pm,
  • Saturday July 11^th, 11am to 7pm and
  • Sunday July 12^th, 11am to 7pm.
• Gatherings of more than 5 people are not permitted. The numbers may rise by July, but we need to operate on the premise that they may not. Customers therefore “eat on their feet”, in their car, or, take the meal home
• Meals have to be complete with no “communal” items. Condiments, napkins and cutlery must be included with the package and cannot be picked up by customers from a table, baskets, etc. Sharing items is not permitted.
• Customers cannot be allowed inside restaurants unless you have a way for the lineup to go in to be served and exit from another door. Customers cannot pass each other in doorways due to health regulations.

 

• Promotion of the event will include all participants.
• This work will be shared by the Belleville Chamber and the Downtown District BIA.
• A listing of participants and their addresses will appear on the passport and be part of the radio and social media campaigns.
• We will be conducting an online poll in mid-June to get feedback on how many people are planning to attend and their top 3 favourite multicultural choices and will share those numbers with you when available.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thank you for your time and stay safe!

Jill Raycroft