A report to Cumberland Councillors on the event, which was held on May 18 in the Auburn Town Centre, found approximately 15,000 attended, with 24 food trucks and stalls operating between Beatrice and Mary Streets, in addition to 10 local restaurants and cafes.
A short sample survey of 60 visitors on the night, found that 85 per cent of the visitors came from nearby suburbs such as Auburn, Guildford, Berala, Lidcombe and Merrylands.
Recommending that the event be added to the council’s 2019/20 Major Events Program alongside other events such as the Diwali and Lunar New Year, it also suggested that “given the scale and success of the event”, that the festival footprint be expanded in 2020.
With Ramadan taking place between April and May next year, the 2020 festival is set to include additional road closures on Harrow Road, Queen Street, Auburn Road to Kerr Parade and Vales Lane, to accommodate approximately 40 food stalls, more activities and larger crowds.
However while stallholders at the inaugural event were offered a reduced ‘introductory fee’, those wanting to be part in the 2020 event will have to pay standard fees and charges.
Councillors also accepted a recommendation that the preliminary budget of $60,000 to deliver the second event be increased to $80,000, although it will still only be held on a single night.
Ramadan food festival on major event list
AUBURN’S inaugural Ramadan Street Food Festival attracted more than twice the number of expected visitors and will be expanded next year.
