What to eat at Springfield Rotary Gourmet Food Truck Competition

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If the title “The Hunger Games” wasn’t already taken for a popular book and movie series, it could make a good tagline for the Springfield Rotary Gourmet Food Truck Competition.

After all, it features 35 food trucks competing for cash prizes and those attending have to decide on a strategy to narrow the countless choices available to counter their hunger.

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The sixth annual competition will be from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday in Veteran’s Park. Admission is free.

Live music will go throughout the day and a beer garden featuring local craft beers, domestic beers, wine and a variety of soft drinks for sale will be open.

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“It’s still in high demand and we continue to bring it the best way we can,” said marketing chair and Rotarian Eddie Bell. “Having good food, entertainment and concessions makes for a good Saturday.”

The event will follow the format that has made it a must-attend mid-August attraction. Bell said when it works, there’s no need for major changes.

The key is a diversity of offerings. There will be a mix of returning favorite food trucks and some newcomers.

TOP TRUCKS

Multiple past competition winners will be back including the 2018 grand prize winner, Urban Vistro, along with fellow champions Tortilla Street Food, Smokin’ Bee-Bee-Q and Harvest Mobile Cuisine.

Other popular returning favorite trucks include Firehouse Crab Balls, which travels all the way from Maryland, and Marty’s Waffles and Hunger Paynes have been to each of the six events here.

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THE WINNERS

A panel of local judges samples the participants' chosen entries, and various awards are given later in the day. The community can vote for the People's Choice Award by downloading the Springfield Food Truck app on Apple or Android devices. Voting will open at 11 a.m. and close 30 minutes before the announcement of winners.

THE MUSIC

Andy Fox will lead off the music at 11, followed by Tru Luv Band at 12:30; Terrapin Moon at 2:15; Omega Point at 4; Red Idle Rejects at 6; and the Ark Band at 8. These offer various genres for different tastes in music and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or a blanket to enjoy the entertainment and relax with their food.

Bell reminds of the charitable aspect of the event. Proceeds raised helped Rotary serve more than 800 people last year.

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“It’s had a really positive impact on Springfield and those we serve,” he said. “If the weather holds out we’re in for another great year.”

Parking is free and will be available at several areas around the park and beyond. Information on parking, participating food trucks and more is at www.springfieldfoodtruck.com.

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