Geek and Grub quickly became a staple event for me and my friends here in the Triangle. It was originally pitched to me not long after its start by my friend Max, but it took me a while to actually be able to make it to one. After I went once, I was hooked. I mean… a market geared towards nerdy interests with local vendors, food, free photos, and games? And they’re themed so I can cosplay? Count me 100% in. I have made so many memories at the parks Geek and Grub would set up shop in, and when I heard they were moving locations due to growth– I was ecstatic for them. The new location, Optimist Farm of Apex, NC, looked beautiful and spacious, and I couldn’t wait until the market premiered there.
On Sunday, April 6th, me and my aforementioned friend Max met up to check out the new G&G location in all its glory. On the way in, I was already noting the beautiful drive you get out of it. Especially on a lovely spring afternoon. I was used to Geek and Grub being incredibly close to me right in the city, but I wasn’t bothered at all by the longer drive. Optimist Farm has expansive parking, and if you’re reading this and have been to G&G before— you know this is a huge selling point of the move.
As I walked around taking in the new setting, I stopped by all the booths to browse and talk to the artists about how they were feeling about the new location. Aside from some apprehension with what the wide open area does (or I should say doesn’t do) to protect from wind, it seemed like everyone was feeling pretty optimistic– no pun intended. I realized that they hadn’t been there much longer than me so I told a few of my artist friends I’d swing by again closer to the end. It seemed by the time I was heading out that everyone was in pretty good spirits despite the heavy winds threatening to take some tents away. Of course, I can’t talk about the artists without shouting out The Variant’s own Pink and Blue Twin (Alex and Jordan.) They were out there with shining smiles, selling their wonderful art, and being as lovely as always. I am constantly in awe of the talent that vendors at G&G display, and I’m so thankful that the market gives them a chance to shine.
Considering that part of Geek and Grub’s whole thing is about food, I won’t lie that there were times I felt sort of unimpressed with the choices. This isn’t something I hold against the event, or I’ll be clear— the people making the food. I just found that the options were limited (which makes sense considering space and what I assume isn’t a cheap service,) and sported sort of painful price tags. That said, I loved all the different options at the latest market. Particularly, I was delighted by a Hawaiian shaved ice truck. The soft, fruity, cool treat was an absolute blessing under the hot sun. With the new location having more space, I’m excited to see how the ‘grub’ portion of the market grows and changes.
Now something I’ve always admired about Geek and Grub is their continuous effort into providing activities and entertainment outside of spending money on food or vendors. With this past month’s theme being fantasy, the entertainment was provided by things like sword fight demonstrations and dancing witches. I spent the last hour or so of my day just sitting in the grass, chatting with my friend, and watching the incredible thespians do their thing. It’s clear the circuit was gearing up to do The Festival of Legends (who were also there giving out information,) and I loved that. After growing up somewhere small and isolated, I love having so many cool events where people are encouraged to completely disappear into a fantasy.
I also had the chance to talk to the very force behind Geek and Grub, Erin, before I left about how they were feeling about the new location. They’re genuinely thrilled with the opportunities the new space brings, and were so happy to see how many people followed them and all the new faces as well. They told me some tentative plans they have set up for the markets later in the year, and I personally can’t wait. I think people are really going to love what’s to come. I hope Erin and the whole team at G&G know how appreciated they are for creating this community and fostering it in such a way.
And that brings me to my final thought on the new Geek and Grub location. What brought me to come to Geek and Grub in the first place, what kept bringing me back, what provided me endless joy roughly once a month – was the sense of community it has. This tiny little market that was nurtured by a group of passionate people grew and grew until it was literally overflowing. The people who came out and brought their friends, who brought their friends, who spread the word— they made this move possible. Now Geek and Grub can continue to expand in a new flourishing environment. More vendors, more activities, more food, more cosplay! Getting to see the beginning of this new chapter for the market was like watching a sprout as it began to flower. I’m so excited to see what’s upcoming for Geek and Grub! You can find them at the Durham Armory this upcoming weekend, May 4th, for a Star Wars market, and back at Optimist Farm the following weekend, May 10th, for an Anime market!
Be sure to follow @geekandgrubmarket on Instagram and Tik Tok to keep up with what they’re doing! You can also follow me on the same platforms @sonnyaliencosplay !
As always, thank you to The Variant for their work at Geek and Grub as vendors and photographers and for giving me this space to express myself and share things with the world!
Some pictures from the April Market are below!
I’ll see you guys next time!
