Business Participation in U District Events

Event Date:

Saturday, September 28, 2024 | 11am – 8pm

About the Event:

Launched in 2021, U District restaurants invite visitors to explore the neighborhood and its array of global eats, treats, and drinks.

Businesses Included:

• Food & Beverage / Restaurants located in the University District
• Retail Businesses located in the U District
• Nonprofit Organizations located in the U District

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the event?
Saturday, September 28, 2024 between 11am-8pm

How do I register for the event?
Have questions? Book a 15-minute meeting with Event Manager Lauren Carey
or
Already know what you want to do? Sign up here by Friday, August 2, 2024

What are the requirements for participation in the event?
Participation requires that your business be open during the event times (11am-8pm), offering two $5 featured food bites (tax included) throughout the event. Additionally, your business will be asked to help promote the event by hanging an event poster in your business window, in addition to sharing on social media, via email communications to your customers, and wherever possible.

How many items can I promote for the Chow Down?
You can promote a total of (2) two menu items to be featured in the event, available for $5 each (tax included).

Can I promote additional items?
Yes, you can promote additional menu items by placing signage in your business, but they will not be listed on the food walk menu.

Can I continue to serve my food specials after 8pm (end of the event)?
Yes, you can continue to serve your food specials for the entirety of the day.

Can I promote Alcohol?
Yes! One of your two items can be an alcoholic beverage, the other should be a food item.

How much does it cost to participate?
Participation is completely free of charge. There is no fee to participate.

Is there anything I need to do to prepare for the event?
We strongly encourage you to:

• Choose food specials that are easy to prep, produce, and push out to customers quickly.
• Set up a separate area/point-of-sale system specifically for food walk customers (to ensure regular customers can still access your business).
• Schedule more staff members during the event to manage the large influx of customers.

How will the event be marketed?
The event will be promoted on social media, with an event page on the UDistrictSeattle.com website, through press releases to regional media, and paid advertising. 

How many people do you expect will attend the event?
Last year we had over 20,000+ attendees. Please prepare for a similar amount of visitors to attend for this year’s event.

How do I choose which items to promote?
We encourage you to promote items that are unique, creative, and accurately represent your cuisine. At the same time, we also encourage you to promote items that are easy to prep and produce rapidly. Please consider “bite-sized” items which are easy to eat while standing or walking. If you’d like assistance in choosing items to promote, please contact Event Manager Lauren Carey at lauren@udistrictpartnership.org

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
Event Manager, Lauren Carey, lauren@udistrictpartnership.org

Event Dates:
To be determined, two-week promotion based on cherry blossom bloom dates. Estimated dates will be a designated two weeks between March – April, 2025

About the Event:
The historic cherry blossoms located on the University of Washington campus attract thousands of visitors from across the region each spring. As visitors make their way through the U District neighborhood, join us in welcoming them by inviting them in for a special Cherry Blossom Festival promotion.

How to Apply:
Details will be available in early 2025.

Businesses Included:
For 2024, this promotional event will include options for food, beverage, and retail businesses.

Activation Opportunities:

• Offer a cherry- or cherry blossom-themed menu item (past examples include a cherry blossom latte, cherry cider, or ‘pink’ food item)
• Offer special cherry festival-themed retail items

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
Event Manager, Lauren Carey, lauren@udistrictpartnership.org

Event Dates:
Saturday, May 17 – Sunday, May 18, 2025

About the Event:

Returning for its 52nd year, the U District Street Fair is a Seattle tradition that attracts over 50,000 attendees to the neighborhood for shopping, entertainment, and celebration!

How to Apply:
Details will be available in early 2025. Join as a Storefront Activation if your business is within the event map OR as a Local Business Vendor if you’d like to set up a 10×10 tent that is NOT a storefront activation.

Businesses Included:

• U District-based brick-and-mortar businesses are invited to consider an activation opportunity. Some activations are limited to storefronts.

Participation Opportunities:

• Storefront expansion into event map
• Have a booth or food truck elsewhere in the neighborhood

What Businesses Receive:

• Inclusion on the U District Street Fair event page
• Promotion through the event

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
Event Manager, Lauren Carey, lauren@udistrictpartnership.org

Event Date:
Saturday, July 19, 2025

About the Event:
Seattle Boba Fest is a celebration of all things bubble tea! The U District is home to more than 20 bubble (or boba) tea restaurants, that’s the highest concentration of boba tea in the Northwest.

How to Apply:
Details will be available in early 2025.

Businesses Included:
We are asking every bubble tea business in the U District to participate!

Activation Opportunities:

• Highlight one special boba drink for the weekend!
• We recommend offering branded swag to guests (for example: first 100 customers receive a branded tote bag, sticker, etc.)

Requirements:

• Display an event poster or decal on your storefront
• Post about the event on your social media channels and/or send an email to your mailing list

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
Event Manager, Lauren Carey, lauren@udistrictpartnership.org