The inaugural Food Truck Festival held Saturday in downtown Hinesville transformed quiet streets into a busy foodie’s paradise.
Fourteen food trucks participated, according to the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, as well as numerous sponsors. Hungry crowds were treated to live entertainment, a kids zone with bounce houses and a classic car show for visitors to pass the time as they walked off calories.
Along with visitors and families, the large number of walkers and runners who enjoyed food truck cuisine worked up an appetite before the festival, since it was preceded by the annual Helen Haven’s 5K. The run/walk raised funds in support of the Helen’s Haven Children’s Advocacy Center and the Fraser Counseling Center.
Vendors who participated included: Kona Ice of Savannah, Chazito’s Latin Cuisine, Roy’s Nutz & Buttz, Sweet Spice Restuartant, Ben & Jerry’s (ice cream), Brown’s BBQ & Catering, Erica’s Snowballs & More, The Magic Food Truck, All About That Bean, Gainz Grill, Pie Society, Murican Border, Molly’s Fish & Chips N More and Little Diddle’s Sweetery.
Georgia Farm Bureau was the festival’s title sponsor. Atlantic Area CASA sponsored a car and bike show and Optim Healthcare also provided sponsorship for the event. Live entertainment was provided by musician/singer Dakota Woods who played from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and At Sundown who performed from 1-3 p.m.
Liberty County Chamber of Commerce/CVB CEO Leah Poole estimates close to 7,000 people showed for the first-time, family-friendly event.
“We had four people with counters wandering the crowd,” Poole explained. “We took those totals, added them together and divided by four to give us as accurate a count as possible at 6,500-7,000 people.”
Poole said festival goers seemed pleased with the car show.
“It was great for a first time event,” she said. Poole predicts the car show will expand next year.
“We are extremely grateful to our title sponsor Georgia Farm Bureau and car/bike show sponsor Atlantic Area CASA, as well as our great committee of volunteers,” Poole said.