Waterloo Greenway’s Pop-Up Picnic Celebrated Community, Food, Family and Austin’s Beloved Greenspaces

More than 1,000 guests gathered under the lights of Waterloo Park on April 5 for the 12th annual Pop-Up Picnic, a community-centered fundraiser hosted by Waterloo Greenway Conservancy. The evening featured chef-curated meals, live music and family-friendly activities, all in support of expanding and activating the city’s downtown park system.

Food and Family Fun

The signature spring event featured picnic baskets prepared by 21 Austin-area restaurants, including Franklin Barbecue, Clark’s Oyster Bar and Hattie B’s. Offerings ranged from classic picnic fare to international-inspired menus. Guests also enjoyed live music from The Motts and DJ Hexum, along with a selection of cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages.

This year’s event included a Family Fun Zone with face painting, hair glitter, artist-designed temporary tattoos and hands-on science activities led by Girlstart. A photo booth provided by Vannagram was also on site.

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Daarel Burnette, Lynn Meredith, Dr. Colette Burnette, Tom Meredith & John Antonelli (photo by Ben Porter)

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Chris Mattsson & Lynn & Tom Meredith (photo by Ben Porter)

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Alec & Mary Grace Manzer, Katherine Thornhill, Haley Lockwood, Julie Arnold & Nathan Thornhill (photo by Ben Porter)

Pop-Up Picnic with Purpose

In addition to the food and entertainment, attendees participated in a raffle featuring local prizes, including a YETI Roadie cooler, a Molyan custom jacket, a yearlong health and wellness membership from Savor + Sweat, tickets to a cheese and wine tasting from Antonelli’s, a facial from BelVer Studio and admission to “Moulin Rouge! The Musical.”

The evening also marked a leadership transition for the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, with the introduction of Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette as the organization’s new CEO. Burnette, who previously served as president of Huston-Tillotson University, addressed attendees as part of her first public appearance in the new role.

Proceeds from the event will support the continued development and programming of Waterloo Greenway, a 35-acre urban park system under construction through downtown Austin. When complete, the system will span 1.5 miles from 15th Street to Lady Bird Lake.

The Pop-Up Picnic was led by event co-chairs Anne Campbell, Stacy Franklin, Alex and Miguel Garza, Jennifer Sinski, Katherine Stinson and Katherine Thornhill.

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