For families who were trying to decide what to make for lunch or dinner after two weeks of scorching heat and cooking in the kitchen didn’t seem like a good option, the Balloon Fest committee was there to help.
You’ll have enough for at least one lunch, and you can buy enough for dinner, so your family won’t complain when they see tacos, pizza, and barbecue on the table.
Food Trailer Friday will take place on Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and the festival committee will again this year host a two-hour lunchtime event with enough food options to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
“This year, our food trailer will be open at lunchtime,” said Emily Grimm, director of membership and marketing, “and we invite the community to join us for lunch.”
Balloon Fest committee member Joe Leap helped with the various food truck applications and spoke about the importance of having a variety of options.
“Having a variety of food options for attendees to choose from is really important, but we also think it’s great that most of our vendors are local to the Ashland area,” Reape said. “Many have been attending the festival for over 10 years and have a loyal following, but we try to add new options as needed. We get a lot of requests for specific types of food, and we have the space on the field to accommodate them, as well as plenty of power and water.”
The food truck’s menu includes…
As of Friday, 15 vendors were registered.
Lemonade and fry trailer from American Family Concessions, shaved ice from Brain Freezz, ice cream from Dairy Belle, two fried dessert trailers from Grant’s Concessions, tacos, fries and ice cream from Tay’s Concessions, kettle corn from Lil Grandpa’s Kettle Corn, Italian sausage from McBride Concessions, french fries from M&M 1st Concessions, barbecue from Moore Vending, tornado fries and twisted hot dogs from Otterbacher Food Service, pizza from Puglisi Concessions, apple dumplings from Rutana Food Service, turkey ribs, fried bologna and bratwurst from Sharp Farms Concessions, shaved ice from Snowie of Upper Sandusky, and Indian bread from Stoops Southwest Foods.
It’s all about the atmosphere. Food trucks bring it all
“If I had to pick one favorite day or event, it’s really difficult,” Grimm says, “but if I had to choose, it would probably be the food. I love food.”
Grimm said the food trucks will add a different experience to Baronfest weekend.
“Festivals are not just about the main attraction,” she says, “it’s also about the atmosphere and overall experience. Food trailers add to the festival atmosphere by offering unique, gourmet foods and specialty dishes that are different from typical fast food or restaurant fare.”
“I crave Stoops Indian Bread Trailer all year round, so I always make sure to fill up during Balloon Fest weekend. Their unique food and friendly service have definitely made them a favorite in the area,” Grimm said.
Leap said her family also has some favorites of their own.
“Our family favorites, and I would even say our household traditions at Baron Fest, are Ron Paglisi’s pizza, Grant Spies’ cinnamon-sugared elephant ears, the giant pork tenderloin from Tay’s Kitchen, and a big bag of kettle corn.”
