The second annual Eat Real Festival kicks off this Friday afternoon, focusing on eating, making, and growing tasty local food. The festival will bring nearly 100 local vendors to Jack London Square, including street food vendors, experienced urban homesteaders, food crafters, and brew masters.

With three stages hosting DIY workshops, demonstrations, music, and even a lit fest, there is plenty to do while digesting. Try your hand at making tamales, learn how to grow mushrooms or start your own vegetable garden, watch a Chinese noodle pulling demonstration, or see who wins the butchery contests. Winners of the local amateur contests for best homebrew, homemade jam, fermented food, and kombucha will also be announced. (And if you've already made up a batch of your favorite pickles or apricot-chili jam, you can still submit an entry into the competition until 1pm on Friday.)

Entrance to the festival is free, as are most of the workshops and demonstrations, with all food costing $5 or less and showcasing seasonal and sustainably produced ingredients. There will be many vegetarian and vegan options.

“This event is set up to be fun and celebratory,” says Eat Real director Susan Coss. “Come and look at the amazing array of food options we have here and look at how important it is to have a strong regional food system.”

The festival runs all weekend: Friday (2pm – 9pm), Saturday (10:30am – 9:30pm), and Sunday (10:30am – 5:30pm). Paid parking will be available in the public garages and Richmond SPOKES will be providing a free bicycle valet service at the corner of Embarcadero and Franklin on Saturday and Sunday. A free shuttle will also be running between Jack London Square and the 12^th Street BART Station.