Worth the wait?

It’s funny, the way people look when they’re waiting for something.

Some stare blankly ahead. The way they would appear if no one was watching, with nothing to impress upon anyone else. That, or they fidget. Striking poses, then rearranging: arms crossed to hands in pockets; rocking on the balls of their feet, up on tippy toes; shifting their weight, left leg, then the right; check your nails; pick your nose; bury your face in a phone.

Such was the scene at Fremont Park on Saturday afternoon at the SactoMoFo mobile-food truck event.

Everybody and their uncle—and their little dogs, too. Nearly 10,000. Waiting, stomachs growling.

From the get it was a mob scene. At a quarter past noon, lines fanned out from the center of the park like infinite rays. Two friends abandoned ship to eat elsewhere. Many others followed suit. The restaurants in the periphery benefited greatly from the overflow. Some cried conspiracy.

We picked a line and waited (I’m of the stare-blankly class). From stand-off to sit-down, it was a little under a two-hour ordeal. Our perseverance afforded us lumpia, sisig tacos and adobo—wait, no, more tacos; dammit, that’s a mix-up!—from Hapa SF, and a couple exotic popsicles from the Fat Face booth. Each appetizing in their own right, no doubt, but worth the wait?

The chaos of the event left a bad taste in the mouths of some. Those arriving later in the afternoon left with disappointed, empty stomachs. Garbage cans floweth over. Friends who desired different cuisine bid thee adieu, any chance to socialize eaten up by the incessant queuing. More than one likened the mob to Disneyland proportions. Perhaps a Fast Pass next time, MoFos?

However you want to slice it, the demand for mobile eats was made plain—with a side of overkill. Event staff collected signatures from their single-file captive audience to change the ordinance that makes life in Sacto hard for mobile-food trucks. If the goal was to send a message to the city, it’s not premature to declare a mission accomplished.

And, after a few savored hours of respite from the masses, I was off to the Crest Theatre where yet another swarm buzzed in the lobby for TFO Productions’ premiere of its newest feature-length film, Planet of the Vampire Women. Any mingling missed in the park was reconciled, expected greetings mixed with how-the-hell-have-you-beens and what-are-you-doing-heres. It’s a colorful mix, a panning shot of the Sacramento community, showing support for local moviemaking. The chardonnay line is no match for my endurance level.

When we take our seats, the theater is nearly full. And with $20K and at least a dozen local girls willing to remove their tops, TFO makes a highly entertaining movie—with great comedic timing, a clever story line and nary a dull moment. The crowd gives the B-movie an A-plus, with a standing ovation for the crew.

It’s an eventful day in Sacramento, full of hordes hungry to support budding culture in their hometown.