MADAWASKA, Maine — With food trucks growing in popularity throughout the region, the St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce & Tourism will host a food truck festival later this month to kick off the town’s farmers market series of events.
Chamber director Jessica Blalock said the idea came about as the board discussed summer events, and in response to the food trucks popping up in town. The food truck festival is set for June 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Farmers Market Pavilion on 380 Main St., or in the town’s “Mid-Town Plaza” lot.
With construction projects like a new, expanded facility for Fish River Rural Health happening on the lot this summer, Blalock said organizers are aiming for a low-key inaugural event with a small to moderate number of trucks and farmers market vendors.
If an abundance of vendors do sign up, the chamber would need to close a portion of Main Street in order to accommodate them.
The event currently has four food trucks signed up: Mami’s Spanish Kitchen, which specializes in authentic Puerto Rican cuisine; Gotta Coffee, a coffee delivery service that recently opened in Madawaska; Big Red’s Sweet Treats, a mobile ice cream truck; and Rib Truck, a Presque Isle-based truck that specializes in ribs, pulled pork and baked beans.
Some food trucks had to back out due to obligations amid high school graduations, but Blalock said a handful of other truck vendors may also join.
The first Farmers Market of the year will also be happening and is set to feature more vendors at the plaza and live music. After the June 21 kickoff, the market will take place at the plaza on the first and third Saturdays of every month until September.
Looking ahead, Blalock said the chamber hopes to host a larger food truck festival after this year’s inaugural event. After construction at the plaza is finished, the large lot should have even more space for trucks, vendors and guests.
“For this year, if it’s small, I’m fine with that,” she said. “But next year we want to make it larger, and just make it better each year.”
