Food Truck Fun

By Cassie Johnson

Food truck events are a growing trend all over the country and they’re quickly gaining popularity throughout the Purchase Area. Once confined to big-city street corners, locally-owned food trucks are now a regular feature in western Kentucky. These ‘restaurants on wheels’ offer fast, affordable, and delicious foods from appetizers to desserts. Several local areas now have food truck events. It’s a really fun way to spend time with friends and family – and it’s outdoors making social distancing easy.

You can catch “Food Truck Friday” at Memorial Park every Friday in the summer and fall. From May through July the hours are 10:30am1:30pm. August and October hours change to 4:30-7:30pm. This is a great location for a family lunch or supper time out where you can enjoy live music and tasty food.

“Over the last four years, food trucks have become common in Calvert City,” says Blair Travis, Director of Marketing and Business Development for Calvert City. “This event allows food trucks to safely park in a high-trafficked area during our busy lunch hours. Anywhere from three to ten food trucks are present every week. Each food truck is required to follow the guidelines set by the health department. Menus are posted weekly on the Calvert City Facebook page.”

“Don’t be surprised to see the parking lot full of golf carts,” added Travis. “In Calvert City, you can drive your golf cart anywhere! Everyone does a great job of practicing social distancing, please come on out and have fun!”

There is no charge to set up a food truck or food tent unless you require electricity which is $10 per event. If you are interested in setting up or even selling food for a fundraiser, call 270.395.7138.

If you travel Highway 60 often, you have likely noticed the new Food Truck Park sign. Unlike any other in our area, this location will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Five trucks can park at a time, and rental space is available by the day or the week to ensure each vendor has many opportunities to wow the crowds. Grab your grub and head over to the picnic tables where you can eat and visit with friends.

“We have great vendors!” said founder Bart Rudolph. “We are excited to bring this opportunity to our area. It allows the smaller operators to set up in a high traffic location without all the expenses of building or buying property for a storefront.”

Each vendor can load their hours of operation and daily or weekly menus on the website, making it easy for hungry customers to know what specialties are being served each day. There is also a link on the

Facebook page to the website, foodtruckparkpaducah.com.

All rented spaces include electricity, water, and sewer dump capacities for each truck. All trucks must have the required documentation before rental. For questions or information on setting up your food truck, call 270.210.9802 or reserve your spot online at foodtruckparkpaducah. com.

On June 18 and July 9, make your way to the Paducah Convention Center for Food Truck Friday! From 5 - 9pm, come enjoy family fun and lots of food. The front parking lot will be loaded with everything from BBQ and European pastries to kettle corn and fudge puppies. You’re sure to find the delicacies of your dreams!

“In May, seven food trucks joined us and we hope to have even more in June and July,” said Laura Everett from the Paducah Convention Center. “We are constantly striving to become bigger and better. Food trucks and friends are being contacted daily – so there may be some new guests not mentioned yet,”

During the week leading up to Food Truck Friday, most vendors have social media pages where you can find specific menu items. Additionally, you can visit the Convention Center page for pictures that will make your taste buds smile. Sidewalk chalk will be provided and a section of the sidewalk set up for kiddos to create their best artwork. The 'Brary Bus, (McCracken Co. Public Library bookmobile) will be there to offer many items for checkout.

As per the new CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated persons do not have to wear a mask. If you are not fully vaccinated, please wear a mask for the safety of others. Hand-washing stations will be set up as well as an access point into the Convention Center restrooms.

Let’s face it, food tastes better from a food truck! Take advantage of vendors being clustered together and visit as many trucks as possible. Support your local community, have fun, and have a finger-lickin' good time! 