Some of our favorite things about Waterfront Park can’t be found on a map — they roll up in a food truck or pop up under a colorful umbrella. This summer, a vibrant roster of local vendors has called the Park Promenade, Pier 58 and Pier 62 home, bringing handcrafted popsicles, ceremonial matcha, Mexican street food, face painting, temporary tattoos and more to the waterfront every week. We asked some of them to share a little about who they are, what they brought to the park, and what community means to them. Their answers say it all.

Ma & Pops 

Tell us who you are: How would you describe what you do?

Ma & Pops is a family-owned business crafting small-batch, vegan ice pops inspired by the flavors of the African Diaspora.

How are you partnering or have partnered with us?

We’ve partnered with Friends through past events and community events, creating space to share Ma & Pops with a broader audience.

Our participation with Friends has opened the door to new opportunities, and we’re grateful for the ways you show up for our community. It’s especially meaningful to serve people who genuinely connect with our product and the experience we’re creating.

 Is there a small moment, detail, or experience you were excited to bring to Waterfront Park?

The waterfront is such a scenic and iconic Seattle location, and we love getting to meet people from all over the world. It’s special to know that our product can become a memorable piece of their time in the region.

What makes collaborating with Friends unique in terms of community building?

The spaces always feel welcoming, culturally rooted, and supportive of small businesses, while bringing together people from all walks of life. Each experience uplifts community, connection, and joy.

Animated Cafe 

In a sentence or two, how would you describe what you do?

A mobile cafe, Animated Cafe a place where Ana serves creative, character-inspired drinks and baked goods. Bringing a fun energy, memorable twist to the park.

Is there a small moment, detail, or experience you were excited to bring to Waterfront Park?

This whole experience is very exciting to me. I’ve been open four years and just now picked up events! That time really prepared me for events like this (feels like the way it was supposed to be) I have six featured drinks; Ube Cloud, Bitter Sweet Cloud, Cookie Cloud, Cotton Candy Lemonade, Sour Sunrise, Ube Matcha. I’ll have collectible stickers that have matched those drinks to animated mythical creatures. Brand recognition while moving around King County has made my heart jump and feel complete. So I lean into it building a long lasting community.

What makes collaborating with Friends unique in terms of community building?

I’m really excited to collaborate with Friends because it’s all about meeting new people and creating real connections. The waterfront has such a unique energy! It feels familiar but full of new stories every day. I think what makes this special is the chance to build trust, connect with the community in a genuine way, and be part of something bigger. I really appreciate the opportunity to grow and reach more people through this.

Junbi Seattle 

Tell us who you are: How would you describe what you do?

We are the owners of Junbi Seattle – a matcha-focused cafe located in the heart of Capitol Hill serving premium matcha drinks to the community. We also focus on in-store collaborations, mobile pop-up events, corporate catering, and matcha 101 classes.

How are you partnering or have partnered with us?

We are excited to be partnering with Friends of Waterfront Park every Saturday from 11am-7pm serving matcha and tea drinks to the public at Pier 58!

Is there a small moment, detail, or experience you were excited to bring to Waterfront Park?

We are excited to bring matcha to help energize the community to help fuel their walk, run, bike ride, exploration, etc. of the amazing Waterfront Park!

What makes collaborating with Friends unique in terms of community building?

A fun and unique experience for visitors of the Waterfront Park by partnering with local vendors to enjoy what Seattle businesses and summers have to offer.

What’s the best way for our community to engage with or support your work?

Come by and grab a Junbi drink for you or your friend.

La Mezcala Catering & Food Truck 

In a sentence or two, how would you describe what you do?

I own a small food business that started in 2024 as a seasonal tent style pop up and grew into a food truck. I specialize in serving Mexican style street food.

Is there a small moment, detail, or experience you were excited to bring to Waterfront Park?

I am excited to bring my food to the Waterfront Park. I bring the foods and recipes I grew up eating, passed down from my immigrant family, but also with my own personal twist to these dishes. I am very passionate about serving food that represents me, my culture and I believe food is a beautiful way to share culture with others.

What makes collaborating with Friends unique in terms of community building?

A collaboration with Friends gives businesses like myself a unique opportunity to showcase our product to a wide audience by allowing us to vend at a location that has high foot traffic. This allows us to share and connect with the community, helping to build a footprint as a business, but also connect with a wide audience. This vending opportunity will help foster connection, which then enriches the community at large.

Seattle Pops 

In a sentence or two, how would you describe what you do?

I started Seattle Pops in 2014 in the greater seattle area. We started selling our handcrafted popsicles at local farmers markets. We have since grown into our own production facility and storefront. We source predominantly local ingredients for our pops. Our flavors change as local fruits come in to harvest.

How are you partnering or have partnered with us?

We started to vend in the pilot program in 2025 and very excited to return for the 2026 season!

Is there a small moment, detail, or experience you were excited to bring to Waterfront Park?

We are excited to meet new people and represent seattle!

What makes collaborating with Friends unique in terms of community building?

The ability to represent Seattle on a large scale with locals and travelers.

What’s the best way for our community to engage with or support your work?

Visit our booth at the waterfront! You can also follow along online and visit us in other parts of the city.

Fairy Dust Paint 

Tell us who you are: How would you describe what you do?

I am a professional face painter who transforms imagination into art. I use high-quality, skin-safe colors and sparkles to bring joy and a touch of magic to children and families at the Waterfront.

How are you partnering or have partnered with us?

I am proud to join the 2026 Waterfront Park Vending Program as a professional face painting vendor. I’ll be at Pier 58 every Friday afternoon, adding vibrant colors and creative designs to the park’s lively atmosphere.

Is there a small moment, detail, or experience you are or were excited to bring to Waterfront Park?

I love the moment when a child first looks into the mirror after being painted. Their eyes light up with pure wonder. I’m excited to bring that magic mirror moment to the waterfront, echoing the shimmer of the Bay waves.

What makes collaborating with Friends unique when in terms of community building?

Friends of Waterfront Park creates a shared space where art, nature, and people intersect. It’s unique because it allows local artists like me to connect directly with diverse families, fostering a sense of joy and belonging through inclusive, creative experiences.

Cookies with Tiffany

In a sentence or two, how would you describe what you do?:

I’m Tiffany, Founder and Chief Cookie Officer of Cookies with Tiffany, a locally owned Seattle bakery creating award-winning cookies with both hometown heart and national appeal. Every cookie is handcrafted in small batches using the highest-quality, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.

Is there a small moment, detail, or experience you are or were excited to bring to Waterfront Park?:

One detail I’m especially excited to bring to Waterfront Park is the unmistakable smell of freshly baked cookies drifting through the air. I love the moment when someone catches that scent, stops in their tracks, and comes over with a smile. Whether it’s a visitor discovering us for the first time or a local returning for their favorite flavor, a cookie creates an instant sense of comfort, nostalgia, and connection. That small moment of joy—enjoying a Seattle-made cookie while taking in the waterfront—is exactly the kind of experience I hope to create.

What makes collaborating with Friends unique when in terms of community building?:

What makes collaborating with Friends of Waterfront Park unique is the shared commitment to creating a welcoming public space that truly belongs to everyone. It’s more than operating a kiosk—it’s becoming part of a larger community of local businesses, artists, neighbors, and visitors who are helping shape a new Seattle tradition. Cookies naturally bring people together, and I’m excited to create small moments of joy and connection that make the waterfront feel warm, inclusive, and distinctly Seattle.

 

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What strikes us most reading through these responses isn’t just the quality of what each vendor brings—it’s the care. These are people who show up with intention and who see the waterfront as a place to connect. From a child’s first look in the mirror after a face paint to a perfectly chosen tattoo, from a pop inspired by the African Diaspora to a family recipe passed down through generations — every vendor here is adding a layer to what makes this park feel like home.

Thanks you to all of our 2026 vendors for an incredible summer at Waterfront Park!