Logan Szymanski, 16, right, and Ellie Ragland, 15, of Johnstown, enjoy a meal on opening day of the Greeley Stampede on Thursday, June 22, 2023. (Jim Rydbom/Staff Photographer)
The rodeo, carnival rides and concerts may be the highlights of the Greeley Stampede, but for many attendees, the food is the attraction in itself.
The 102nd Stampede will feature a wide selection of sweet treats, special potato dishes, traditional barbecue and cherished carnival fare for the whole family to enjoy.
There will be 35 food vendors on the Stampede grounds, and vendors who have been there before will be given priority for placement at the 2024 event, so if you already have a favorite food vendor at the Stampede, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find them again this year.
Attendees can expect to see long-time vendors as well as new vendors such as Emergency Mini Treats and Southern Soul.
Emergency Mini Treats (EMTs) is a family-owned food truck business in Frederick that shows appreciation for emergency responders. EMTs sells their flagship product, mini donuts, as well as cotton candy, hot dogs, kettle corn, nachos and more out of an old fire truck. EMTs offers discounts to veteran and emergency responder customers.
Southern Soul is a Fort Collins-based food truck that uses local ingredients to create handcrafted Southern comfort food, with menu items like hush puppies, brisket, and Cajun egg rolls.
Food vendor applications will be selected based on product balance within the park, the uniqueness and appeal of the product, and the appeal of the display.
A 64-ounce glass of lemonade and spiral spuds/ribbon fries are seen at the Greeley Stampede at Island Grove Regional Park on Thursday, June 24, 2021. (Jaidyn Watson Fisher/Tribune file photo) Celebrating food vendors
In recent years, the Stampede team has introduced an awards program to recognize the people behind the food truck windows that work to feed the 250,000 visitors who attend the city’s busiest annual event.
Nana’s Famous BBQ & Grill, which returns this year, won the 2023 Best Bang for Your Buck award, which recognizes businesses that offer delicious, budget-friendly menu items.
The Chuck Wagon Awards will return in 2024 with four categories: Rookie of the Year, People’s Choice Award, A+++ Award and Royal Taste Award.
Rookie of the Year is awarded to a new vendor who shines at the event with a great menu, popularity and a clean work space.
The People’s Taste Awards will see the public vote for their favorite vendors between June 26-30.
The A+++ award is presented to the vendor who maintained high standards throughout the event in three areas of satisfaction: space, food and deadline adherence.
Stampede crews change up the Chuck Wagon Awards each year to include something new. A new award this year, the Royal Taste Award, will pit vendors against each other in creating the tastiest dish made with potatoes, paying tribute to the traditions of potato farmers and the Stampede’s original name, “The Spud Rodeo.” Stampede royalty will judge the awards on June 30.
