Yummy news: Two food truck events coming to Midland, one to Saginaw

Two food truck events coming to Midland, one to Saginaw

Victoria Ritter , [email protected]

Published

4:55 pm EDT, Thursday, August 20, 2020

After a long summer with very few public gatherings, a few food trucks are lining up for a few events in Mid-Michigan. A Pop Up Midland Food Truck and Music Festival and Fair Food Drive Thru will take place in town on Saturday and Sunday while a Food Truck Dinner Dash is scheduled for Friday night.

The Pop Up Midland Food Truck and Music Festival returns for the first time this year from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday at Midland Towne Center, 1309 Washington St. In past years, the festival was held about once a month, but due to COVID-19 this year, Midland Impressions, which organizes the food truck festivals, were unable to host an event until now. The organization said its other regular event, Circle Wine Garden, will not return this year at all.

“We’re trying this as an experiment to see if it works,” said Jim Barker, producer of Midland Impressions.

The food truck line-up includes 5-2-oh, That Guys BBQ, Meat and Greet, Molasses BBQ, Kona Ice and Sunsational Smoothies. Country music band The Reliks will be playing at noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Rock band Coleman Road will be playing at 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

“We know that people are looking for something to do. Even if it’s for an hour, you can come and listen to music and enjoy,” Barker said.

As a means of keeping in line with the state’s guidelines of no more than 100 people gathered for outdoor events, the festival will be selling admission tickets for $2.95. Each ticket will allow an attendee 75 minutes to stay, sample the food and listen to live music. Attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance through the event’s Facebook page; No walk-ups will be allowed.

Across town, the Fair Food Drive Thru, hosted by Nagel’s Concessions, will take place noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23 at Midland County Fairgrounds, 6905 Eastman Ave. A similar event was held earlier this summer to great acclaim.

“Everybody really enjoyed it. It was nice for the vendors because not many vendors are working this summer,” said Kris Nagel of Nagel’s Concessions.

Nagel credited Midland County Fairgrounds Manager Trish Steele with the idea for and execution of both events. She coordinated the food trucks and communicated with Nagel’s Concessions to figure out what would do well.

The upcoming Fair Food Drive Thru will feature between six and eight trailers, spread about 100 feet apart, each providing a classic fair treat. While some will feature elephant ears or corn dogs, others will provide popcorn or lemonade. Drivers are asked to remain in their cars and use the north entrance on Eastman Ave. and exit onto Airport Road. All food will be made fresh and packaged to go.

“It’s a lot safer. Everyone has gloves and masks. The person handling the money has nothing to do with the food. Safety is the No. 1 thing,” Nagel said.

A third event, Food Truck Dinner Dash, will take place 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Morley Plaza in Saginaw. This is the third segment of a series providing take-out meals from area eateries. Friday’s roster includes Big Earl’s BBQ, Cool Carts to Go, Divine Taste of Chicago, El Farolito’s, Honey’s Tasty Potatoes & More, Makin’ Bacon, Saginaw Waffle Hut and T&T Concessions.