Tag Archives: Kentwood Food Truck Festival

Kentwood to Host Food Truck Festival on Sept. 9 featuring 30 food trucks, live music and a beer tent

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(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)



By WKTV Staff

greer@wktv.org


The City of Kentwood and GR8 Food Trucks are partnering to host the summer’s second Food Truck Festival with more than 30 food trucks, live music and a beer tent for community members to enjoy.

The free-to-attend community event will run 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9 in the parking lot of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.

“We look forward to inviting the community to gather and experience delicious food and drinks from local vendors and great sounds from local musicians,” said Kentwood Parks and Recreation Director Val Romeo. “Whether you’re looking for a refreshing beverage, remarkable food or upbeat music, we have something for everyone to enjoy.”

 
 

(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)



There will be a wide variety of food options available for purchase. Prices will vary by vendor. Participating food trucks include:



“This event gives our local food trucks a fantastic opportunity to show the community their delightful drinks and delicious dishes,” said Alan Tomlinson, president of GR8 Food Trucks. “We’re looking forward to a day filled of community and cuisine.”

Live music will start at 11 a.m. with Nathan Walton, followed by DJ Snax, Thirsty Perch Blues Band and Innuendo. Attendees will hear everything from soul and blues to rock and hip hop.

This year’s diamond sponsors are Macatawa Bank and NN Autocam.

There is construction along 52nd Street SE that may impact the route community members take to the event. A detour map is available here and a parking map is available here.

For the latest event information, visit kentwood.us/FoodTruckFestival.

Kentwood kicks off Summer this Saturday, June 10, with Food Truck Festival: live music, food trucks and beer tent

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Photo from a previous Food Truck Festival. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)



By WKTV Staff

greer@wktv.org


The City of Kentwood and GR8 Food Trucks will once again celebrate the start of summer with the annual Food Truck Festival.

The Kentwood Food Truck Festival is set for Saturday, June 10 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the parking lot of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. The popular community event offers free admission and features more than 25 food trucks, live music, beer and community booths for attendees to explore. Another food truck festival will celebrate the end of the summer season on Sept. 9.



(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)



A wide variety of cuisines will be available at the June event, with trucks offering barbecue, burritos, baked goods and more. Whether you’re searching for a savory snack, satisfying meal or sweet treat, the festival has options for every appetite. Entry to the festival is free, and cost for food and beverages varies by vendor.

“We’re delighted to celebrate the beginning of the summer season with this community-favorite event,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “The City of Kentwood, GR8 Food Trucks and our vendors and musicians are looking forward to sharing local flavors and sounds with the community.”

Food trucks participating in this year’s event include:

Live music will start at 11 a.m. with Kathleen and the Bridge Street Band, followed by DJ Snax, Kitten and the Tonics and One World Island Band. A beer tent featuring local craft beer favorites will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.



(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)



“Food trucks enable community members to spend time outside while supporting talented local food vendors,” said Alan Tomlinson, president of GR8 Food Trucks. “Kentwood’s Food Truck Festival gives residents an opportunity to build connections while enjoying delicious food.”

This year’s diamond sponsors are NN Mobile Solutions and Macatawa Bank.

There is construction along 52nd Street SE that may impact the route community members take to the event. A  detour map and  parking map are available on the City of Kentwood’s website.

Volunteers are needed for the event. Find more information about the Kentwood Food Truck Festival and sign up to volunteer at kentwood.us/SummerFoodTruckFestival.



(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)

City of Kentwood to close out its summer events with Food Truck Festival

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The City of Kentwood Food Truck Festival will return Saturday, Sept. 11. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood and GR8 Food Trucks will again partner to offer a Food Truck Festival with more than 20 vendors to both help the community support small businesses and make the most of the end of the summer season.

The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 11, in the parking lot of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE, according to a Sept. 7 statement from the city.

The free-to-attend community event will run 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and feature 24 food trucks, live music and a beer and wine tent.

This year’s event will coincide with the 20th anniversary of 9/11. The event will include a moment of silence led by Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley, at 5 p.m., to honor the victims of 9/11, followed by a brief performance by local bagpiper Tom Bradley. There will also be posters from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York on display in the Library Community Room.

“We’re looking forward to the return of our Food Truck Festival, which has become one of our community’s favorite events to enjoy great food and music as we near the end of summer,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. said in supplied material. “We’ve developed a great lineup of food trucks with GR8 Food Trucks, as well as several musicians for a full day of fun outdoors.”

There will be a wide variety of sweet and savory food options available for purchase, according to the statement, with participating food trucks including Bigfoot Burger, Big Mike’s Kettle Corn, Beecher’s Pretzels, Curry in a Hurry, Daddy’s Dough Cookies, El Jalapeño, Fire and Rice Paella, Kool Breze, Kona Ice of Lowell, Lazy Man BBQ, Mapocho Fresh Sanwishes, Mexcellente, Nick’s Gyros, Olly’s Donuts, Patty Matters, PJW Creole Cuisine, Pressed in Time, Saladino Smoke, Sanse Filipino Cuisine, Street Frites, Touch O’ Dutch, Arcane Pizza, Whipped, a Brunch Truck, and UCC Desserts.

Live music will start at 11 a.m. with Bucket O’ Maybes, followed by DJ Snax, Moonshot Band and Last Gasp Collective.

The City of Kentwood will continue to monitor public health guidance and orders, according to the statement, which may require changes to the event. Residents are encouraged to follow current public health guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

For more (and the the latest) event information visit kentwood.us/FoodTruckFestival.

Rains didn’t damper summer fun kickoff in Kentwood as first Food Truck Festival returned

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Lori Gresnick, recreation program coordinator, City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, discusses why the city added an early season food truck rally this year, at the May 19, 20231 event at the Kentwood City Complex. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood and GR8 Food Trucks’s new early-season Food Truck Festival, the first of two this summer season, had some rain showers but plenty of family fun as well on Saturday, June 19.

On Juneteenth, June 19, the Kent County Black Caucus had a presence at the Kentwood food truck festival, attended here by Kentwood City Commissioners Maurice Groce and Betsy Artz. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

The “kickoff” of the Summer Food Truck Festival’s two-event schedule took place in the parking lot of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. To wrap up the summer season, another food truck festival is scheduled on Saturday, Sept. 11, at the same location.

The free-to-attend community event had 16 food trucks — with even more planned for the September event, Lori Gresnick, recreation program coordinator, City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, said to WKTV.

There was also live music, a beer tent and food available for just about every taste.

There was also several community booths including the Kent County Black Caucus, as the day was also Juneteenth, attended early to by Kentwood City Commissioners Maurice Groce and Betsy Artz.

More information about the Summer Food Truck Festival is available at kentwood.us/SummerFoodTruckFestival. For a slideshow of photos from the event, see below (and click through).

It’s back to summer fun in Kentwood as the Food Truck Festival returns to library parking lot

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A view of a previous City of Kentwood Food Truck Festival. (WKTYV/2018)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood and GR8 Food Trucks aren’t waiting until the end of summer to offer the annual Food Truck Festival this year – they’re kicking off the season later this month with the first to two planned food truck events.

The “kick-off” of the Summer Food Truck Festival will take place Saturday, June 19, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., in the parking lot of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. To wrap up the summer season, another food truck festival is slated for Saturday, Sept. 11.

A variety of for trucks will be at Kentwood’s End of Summer Food Truck Festival. (WKTV)

“We’re pleased to expand the Food Truck Festival to two dates and double the opportunity for community members to come together for fun, fellowship and fantastic local food and music,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “We’re delighted to again partner with GR8 Food Trucks, vendors and musicians to provide this wonderful all-ages event for our community.”

The free-to-attend community event will feature 16 food trucks, live music and a beer tent, according to supplied material. The food trucks will offer everything from Filipino cuisine to Indian food, as well as barbeque options, hot dogs, fries and a variety of dessert options. While entry to the festival is free, cost for food and beverages varies by vendor.

The event also will have community booths including the Kent County Black Caucus, which will honor the day and educate the public about Juneteenth, an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the country. Workforce Employment Specialists, United Healthcare and others will be on-site as well.

Live music will start at 11 a.m. with The Boogie Woogie Kid, followed by DJ Snax, Hazy Past and Asamu Johnson and The Associates of the Blues. A beer tent featuring local craft beer favorites will be open 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Among the food trucks expected to participate are Beecher’s Pretzels, Curry in a Hurry, Daddy’s Dough Cookies, Detroit’s Original Coney Island, Kona Ice of Lowell, Kool Breze, Little Mamma’s Ultimate Dessert & Snack Truck, Nick’s Gyros, Patty Matters, Pig Out on the Fly, Pressed in Time, SANSE Filipino Cuisine, Specialty Cheesecake and Dessert Company, Street Frites, Touch O’ Dutch and UCC Dessert.

“Food trucks offer a great way to sample a variety of cuisine in a relaxed and outdoor setting,” Alan Stone, president of GR8 Food Trucks, said in supplied material. “Kentwood’s Food Truck Festival provides an opportunity for residents to have fun while supporting local businesses, which is especially important during the pandemic.”

More information about the Kick-off to Summer Food Truck Festival is available at kentwood.us/SummerFoodTruckFestival.

Volunteers are also needed for the event. Those interested can sign up online.

This weekend’s Kentwood’s Food Truck Festival popular with residents, food truck community

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Scene from 2018’s City of Kentwood End of Summer Food Truck Festival. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood, always looking for unique ways to get its community together for a little fun, has had a busy summer with playground improvements, road runs and community sand volleyball tournaments.

But the summer is not quite over yet and Kentwood will host its fourth annual End of Summer Food Truck Festival on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the parking lot of the Kent District Library, Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.

The event, with music, family activities, a beer tent and — for course — eats and sweets from nearly 30 vendors, will be both an opportunity for city to offer residents and guests a fun community activity as well as an opportunity for food truck vendors to network and maybe show off a little.

“The food truck rally has been really well received by the public. This is an open even so anybody can come and you can spend the entire day here,” Lori Gresnick, City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, said to WKTV. “This is our fourth year. So we’ve grown from just a couple food trucks to now we have over 30 food trucks — not only food trucks but that includes desert trucks.”

For more discussion from Gresnick and well as the operator of a Kentwood-based food truck, Rock Dandeneau, of Taste Buds Kitchen Concepts and the Pressed in Time food truck, see a video here.

Live music will start at 11 a.m. with The Bootstrap Boys, followed by DJ Snax, Molly and Last Gasp Collective. A beer tent featuring craft beer and cider will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

While entry to the festival is free, cost for food and beverages varies by vendor. For more information visit kentwood.us/foodtruckfestival .

30+ food trucks, volunteer opportunities, at Kentwood’s End of Summer Food Truck Festival

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A variety of for trucks will be at Kentwood’s End of Summer Food Truck Festival. (WKTV)

By City of Kentwood

The City of Kentwood and GR8 Food Trucks invites foodies and families to explore cuisine from nearly 30 vendors during the fourth annual End of Summer Food Truck Festival on Saturday, Sept. 14.

The free-to-attend community event will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the parking lot of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. In addition to a cornucopia of food trucks, the event will also feature live music and a beer tent.

“Kentwood’s End of Summer Food Truck Festival is a great way to celebrate the last few days of summer sun in Michigan with friends and family,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “Our lineup of local eats, drinks and live music means a whole day of fun for the community.”

Community volunteers are needed for the event. Those interested can sign up here.

Food trucks attending the event include: Alt City Beverage Company, Babatürk Food Truck, Bavarian Inn Cluck Truck, Coffee Rescue, D&D’s Gluten-Free, D&W Street Eatery, Daddy Pete’s BBQ, Daddy’s Dough Cookies, Doughrunts, El Caribe Food Truck, Fire and Rice, Ice Box Brand Ice Cream Bars, Kona Ice of West Grand Rapids, Kool Breze, LLC, Lazy Man BBQ, Nick’s Gyros, NOM NOM Ninja, Patty Matters, Pig Out on the Fly, Porter’s Smokehouse, Pressed In Time, Saladino Smoke, Silver Star Cafe, Sleeping Bear Burritos, Specialty Cheesecake and Dessert Company, Summer Pops, Tamale Rose, Touch O’ Dutch and Underground Cookie Club.

Live music will start at 11 a.m. with The Bootstrap Boys, followed by DJ Snax, Molly and Last Gasp Collective. A beer tent featuring craft beer and cider will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“Food trucks are known for providing a great mix of creative bites from talented chefs with quick service,” said Alan Stone, president of GR8 Food Trucks. “Kentwood’s End of Summer Food Truck Festival is an opportunity to sample a variety of food while supporting several local businesses.”

While entry to the festival is free, cost for food and beverages varies by vendor.

For more information visit kentwood.us/foodtruckfestival .