The Columbus Food Truck Festival is returning to downtown (or at least close to it) this weekend after three years at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard.
The 13th annual showcase of Ohio’s food truck scene will be held Friday and Saturday in Franklinton, featuring 47 trucks and carts from Columbus and other parts of the state.
But the food, music and other attractions haven’t left Hilliard for good: A sequel to this weekend’s festival is scheduled for one day only at the fairgrounds on Aug. 17. Here’s everything you need to know about the event taking place on Friday and Saturday.
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The festival will take place on the Scioto Peninsula on Friday and Saturday from 11am to 9pm. Entry is free, but there is a charge for food and drinks.
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Food isn’t the only attraction. There will be two stages with 17 bands playing both days. Friday’s main stage headliner will be ’90s rap cover band Winnie Cooper Project, who will perform on the main stage from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. Saturday’s headliner, same time and on the same stage, will be neo-funk band MojoFlo. The full music lineup can be found at columbusfoodtruckfest.com.
The Rich Street Bridge has a children’s activity area, arts and crafts vendors and the Columbus Vintage Exchange, which sells retro clothing, toys, vinyl products and more.
You may bring and set up chairs, blankets, and tents on the festival grounds, but you are not allowed to bring coolers.
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What foods can you eat?
A better question is, what foods can’t you eat? The answer is, there aren’t any places serving Icelandic food this weekend.
But the 47 food trucks on the list, in alphabetical (but not exhaustive) order, offer a variety of foods, including alligator bites, baba ghanoush, Bahama Mama, banh mi, birria, bratwurst, brisket, bulgogi, burgers, burritos, catfish, cheesesteak, chicken tikka masala, crab rangoon, crunchwrap, egg rolls, empanadas, falafel, fish tacos, French fries, fried pork chop sandwiches, fried rice, grilled cheese, gyros, hibachi, jerk chicken, jollof rice, jumbo shrimp, loaded tots, lobster rolls, mac and cheese, nachos, noodles, pakora, pizza, pulled pork, quesadillas, ribs, samosas, shawarma, Spam musubi, stuffed pretzels, sub sandwiches, tacos, shrimp tempura, turkey legs, chicken wings, and wraps.
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For those with a sweet tooth, there’s cheesecake, cookies, cupcakes, donuts, funnel cake, gelato, ice cream, macarons, popsicles and more.
Where will the food trucks be parked?
Scioto Peninsula is on the Franklinton side of the Scioto River south of COSI. Trucks will be parked along Town Street, Bell Street and Washington Boulevard.
A complete list, including locations, can be found at columbusfoodtruckfest.com.
Where can I park?
If you don’t feel like making the short walk from downtown, your best bet is to park on the Franklinton side of the river. Click on a link on the festival website to reserve a spot in the municipal lot (pre-pay). There are also several private lots around Broad Street and south of the COSI and Junto hotels.
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To pay for on-street parking on Friday and Saturday, be sure to look for a nearby kiosk or sign with a QR code.
Is rain forecast for both days?
Friday looks good, with the National Weather Service predicting mostly sunny skies all day and a high of 89 degrees.
Bring your sunglasses, as sunny skies are forecast for most of the day Saturday with a high near 91 degrees.
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