By Mark Tate
April’s 2nd Saturday Vendor Fair at the land “Between the Tracks” (13105 E. Colossal Cave Rd.) brought another successful event for the community. With over 35 local vendors, there were lots of opportunities to “shop local”.
The event welcomed students from the Vail’s School District’s Transition School to Work (TSW) program to support their program while sprucing up your home for spring.
This month, in addition to the regular food vendors, Vail Coffee Stop, Flavor Fusion, and Winston Brothers BBQ, shoppers were excited to try the newly relocated food vendor, Food Groupie Cafe, to their new “home” (check out their Facebook pages for days and hours of operation). Local musician, Will Darnell, sophomore at Mica Mountain High School, was in attendance again, providing live music for all the shoppers. In addition, it was nice to get to know some local non-profits and to meet the staff from our newly opened family health care providers, Vail Valley Family Healthcare.
Since the land is owned by the Vail School District, the $20 per booth collected goes to an account for the maintenance of the property. We also try to include a few schools or clubs from the District each month. In April we had TSW students selling their plants since we are seeing the early signs of Spring. Four Arrows Garden (another local business) also joined in selling their plants and flowers. They are excited to be relocating to our area soon.
We believe Vail is a special place, and we love providing a place for the community to come together and enjoy good fellowship and food. It is our desire to make this area a destination where, each week, you will wonder what is going on “Between the Tracks”. The schools are beginning to use it for Food Truck roundups, spring, or fall festivals. Also, other groups are renting the space for animal adoption activities and other positive community activities.
At our next 2nd Saturday event (May 14th) we honor our graduating students from the Vail School District. We will also have a raffle where a portion of the proceeds will go to the Acacia PTSA (they will be administrating the raffle).
The Land Between the Tracks is quickly becoming a gathering place with an amazing community vibe. It is yet another example of the District’s motto of “Where Education is a Community Effort.”
For questions concerning The Land Between the Tracks contact Kevin Carney at Carneyk@vailschooldistrict.org. For questions concerning the 2nd Saturday Vendor Fair contact Mark Tate at Mark.vailcoffeestop@gmail.com.
