The More Food Trucks the Merrier in Austin

I'll be the first to admit that I was once skeptical about the whole food truck craze. After all, did I really want to eat my dinner off a paper plate outside an old Airstream in a gravel parking lot?

Nowhere are food trucks more ubiquitous than Austin (OK, maybe New York City), where you can find everything from crepes to deep-fried avocados served out the window of a small trailer.

But rather than shy away from its distinction as a food truck Mecca, Austin has decided to celebrate its counter culture (no pun intended) with an annual Gypsy Picnic, which will bring together more than 40 food trucks on the banks of Auditorium Shores.

Sponsors of the event, which is scheduled for March 24, are promising a huge number of vendors, free admission and live music throughout the day. It seems like a pretty cool deal that's definitely worth a visit.

Kristin Finan photo.

The More Food Trucks the Merrier in Austin

I'll be the first to admit that I was once skeptical about the whole food truck craze. After all, did I really want to eat my dinner off a paper plate outside an old Airstream in a gravel parking lot?

Nowhere are food trucks more ubiquitous than Austin (OK, maybe New York City), where you can find everything from crepes to deep-fried avocados served out the window of a small trailer.

But rather than shy away from its distinction as a food truck Mecca, Austin has decided to celebrate its counter culture (no pun intended) with an annual Gypsy Picnic, which will bring together more than 40 food trucks on the banks of Auditorium Shores.

Sponsors of the event, which is scheduled for March 24, are promising a huge number of vendors, free admission and live music throughout the day. It seems like a pretty cool deal that's definitely worth a visit.

Kristin Finan photo.

The More Food Trucks the Merrier in Austin

I'll be the first to admit that I was once skeptical about the whole food truck craze. After all, did I really want to eat my dinner off a paper plate outside an old Airstream in a gravel parking lot?

Nowhere are food trucks more ubiquitous than Austin (OK, maybe New York City), where you can find everything from crepes to deep-fried avocados served out the window of a small trailer.

But rather than shy away from its distinction as a food truck Mecca, Austin has decided to celebrate its counter culture (no pun intended) with an annual Gypsy Picnic, which will bring together more than 40 food trucks on the banks of Auditorium Shores.

Sponsors of the event, which is scheduled for March 24, are promising a huge number of vendors, free admission and live music throughout the day. It seems like a pretty cool deal that's definitely worth a visit.

Kristin Finan photo.

The More Food Trucks the Merrier in Austin

I'll be the first to admit that I was once skeptical about the whole food truck craze. After all, did I really want to eat my dinner off a paper plate outside an old Airstream in a gravel parking lot?

Nowhere are food trucks more ubiquitous than Austin (OK, maybe New York City), where you can find everything from crepes to deep-fried avocados served out the window of a small trailer.

But rather than shy away from its distinction as a food truck Mecca, Austin has decided to celebrate its counter culture (no pun intended) with an annual Gypsy Picnic, which will bring together more than 40 food trucks on the banks of Auditorium Shores.

Sponsors of the event, which is scheduled for March 24, are promising a huge number of vendors, free admission and live music throughout the day. It seems like a pretty cool deal that's definitely worth a visit.

Kristin Finan photo.

The More Food Trucks the Merrier in Austin

I'll be the first to admit that I was once skeptical about the whole food truck craze. After all, did I really want to eat my dinner off a paper plate outside an old Airstream in a gravel parking lot?

Nowhere are food trucks more ubiquitous than Austin (OK, maybe New York City), where you can find everything from crepes to deep-fried avocados served out the window of a small trailer.

But rather than shy away from its distinction as a food truck Mecca, Austin has decided to celebrate its counter culture (no pun intended) with an annual Gypsy Picnic, which will bring together more than 40 food trucks on the banks of Auditorium Shores.

Sponsors of the event, which is scheduled for March 24, are promising a huge number of vendors, free admission and live music throughout the day. It seems like a pretty cool deal that's definitely worth a visit.

Kristin Finan photo.

The More Food Trucks the Merrier in Austin

I'll be the first to admit that I was once skeptical about the whole food truck craze. After all, did I really want to eat my dinner off a paper plate outside an old Airstream in a gravel parking lot?

Nowhere are food trucks more ubiquitous than Austin (OK, maybe New York City), where you can find everything from crepes to deep-fried avocados served out the window of a small trailer.

But rather than shy away from its distinction as a food truck Mecca, Austin has decided to celebrate its counter culture (no pun intended) with an annual Gypsy Picnic, which will bring together more than 40 food trucks on the banks of Auditorium Shores.

Sponsors of the event, which is scheduled for March 24, are promising a huge number of vendors, free admission and live music throughout the day. It seems like a pretty cool deal that's definitely worth a visit.

Kristin Finan photo.

SXSW on the Cheap

It's March, which means that in just a few days Austin will be flooded with celebrities of the film, music and interactive varieties. While the South by Southwest festival may be one of the exciting times of the year for many Austinites, the high badge prices keep it from being a reality for many others.

Not so fast. There are ways for you to attend this year's SXSW festival without spending a dime. First of all, the city hosts a slew of free events associated with the festival, including a free concert series on Auditorium Shores (Counting Crows are one of the headliners this year), a guitar and poster show, and various arcade games set up across town.

Want even more access? You can sign up to become one of SXSW's 2,000 volunteers, who do everything from greet out-of-town registrants, to work tables at the Austin Convention Center, to assist with music production. If that sounds cool, check out the official SXSW site for more details.

SXSW photo.